Dura-Drive, The "Alien" screwdriver

[kwigly]

Despite looking like an alien spacecraft, this 4-shaft screwdriver works quite well. When not in use the screwdrivers can be folded back into the handle, and for using you simply select, fold out, and lock one of the of the 4 drivers. Attached shafts means you can't lose a driver, and there's less faffing about trying to find the right head as for the other multi head drivers I have. The drivers are a blade, a Phillips, and two sizes of square drive ( good for our Canadian Robertson screws). Not sure of its age, but the faded plastic indicates a few years use.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

When were they made?

 

[kwigly]

Lugz, made early 1980s. My google-fu just kicked in (after some fruitless effort) and I've found the patent 4440048, filed 1981, issued 1983 . Inventors and Manufacturers are Canadian, which is likely why I found it here in Ontario

 

[four.cycle]

thank you!

 

[jetdeluna]

Sorry to dredge up an old post, discovered it while trying to find more info on this screwdriver! I live in the UK and a family member worked in a factory who made these, from my understanding it was a prototype, the locking mechanism on mine is plastic whereas yours seems to be metal, with two phillips and two flat heads.

 

[kwigly]

Sorry to dredge up an old post, discovered it while trying to find more info on this screwdriver! I live in the UK and a family member worked in a factory who made these, from my understanding it was a prototype, the locking mechanism on mine is plastic whereas yours seems to be metal, with two phillips and two flat heads.

That's interesting jetdeluna. If it was made after 1980 (filing date of initial patent 4327790) I wonder if it was a pirate copycat of the US patent, or if it might have been under some sort of licensing agreement

 

[jetdeluna]

That's interesting jetdeluna. If it was made after 1980 (filing date of initial patent 4327790) I wonder if it was a pirate copycat of the US patent, or if it might have been under some sort of licensing agreement

Possibly but they were both made in the UK, so I assume they used UK factories for some reason. I've never known anyone else to have one so it's very interesting - I'm not sure if they ever made it out of the prototyping stage

 

[MikeLondon]

I bought one at the Ideal Home Show Olympia London. I would guess somewhere around 1983, fitting in with the patent research. It is excellent. Its my go to screwdriver for general use, when not using a electric or ratchet. I would love to get another one if anyone knows of one for sale. It is extremely strong I have put huge force on it and it has coped perfectly. Mine is exactly as Kwigly shows in the illustration and has metal locking ring.