Hold-e-zee Screwdrivers

[Bessy]

Hey all, came across an old Upson Bro's Hold-e-zee TR-6 slotted driver, with Lok-blok. From what limited research I have done so far, this driver seems to be from the mid 50's, which I'm pretty sure is previous to the Channellock taking on the Hold-e-zee brand.

Being a youngin (ok, 22) as i am, I seem to think this screwdriver is pretty much the cat's a$$, and I'm wondering whether or not there are any modern equivalents to this design or if I'd have to scour the lands for some vintage ones. I do have a couple projects on the go that these would be surprisingly helpful.

Any information anyone can dig up is appreciated. seems like way too cool a concept to have not been covered in any depth on GJ as of yet!

 

[Zeeman]

I believe I have a couple of those. I'll try to remember to post some pictures later.

 

[tlbenton]

Hey all, came across an old Upson Bro's Hold-e-zee TR-6 slotted driver, with Lok-blok. From what limited research I have done so far, this driver seems to be from the mid 50's, which I'm pretty sure is previous to the Channellock taking on the Hold-e-zee brand.

Being a youngin (ok, 22) as i am, I seem to think this screwdriver is pretty much the cat's a$$, and I'm wondering whether or not there are any modern equivalents to this design or if I'd have to scour the lands for some vintage ones. I do have a couple projects on the go that these would be surprisingly helpful.

Any information anyone can dig up is appreciated. seems like way too cool a concept to have not been covered in any depth on GJ as of yet!

Hi, my name is Tom; I have a couple of the Hold-E-Zee screwdrivers. Had em since the early 70's. The shorter one is a TR-3; the other one is 7 1/4", (shaft 3 3/4"). Back then I was working at Martin-Marietta, now Lockheed Martin, in Orlando FL. I'm going to hang on to them.

 

[four.cycle]

Upson Bros. / Hold-E-Zee thread:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=408179

 

[d42jeep]

I have some but no pictures yet. In the meantime here are some old Craftsman screw starting screwdrivers.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

VACO made a unit similar to those at the top in d42jeep's photo above.
prices are all over the place:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vaco-K36-U...slotted-end-9-75-long-works-fine/153306502040

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VACO-K-23-SPLIT-WEDGE-SLOTTED-SCREWDRIVER/292651164240

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vaco-K44-Flat-Head-Slotted-Screwdriver-Made-in-USA/132128709822

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VACO-K-34-Slotted-Screw-Holding-Screwdriver-VGC/312288502449

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-KLEIN-...3-16-X-5-1-4-Screwdriver-P-N-K21/153299390231

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Klein-VACO...g-Wedge-Screwdriver-Flat-Tip-USA/173217016544

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Klein-Tools-VACO-K28-3-16-Slotted-Screw-Holding-Screwdriver/221693776607

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Klein-Tools-K38-VACO-1-4-Slotted-Screw-holding-Screwdriver/221962182388

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Klein-Tools-Vaco-K34-1-4-Slotted-Screw-Holding-Screwdriver/191580860659

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KLEIN-VACO...RIVER-SLOTTED-5-16-X-8-BLADE-2PC/173656515914

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Screw-Hold-Screwdriver-Slotted-1-4x4-VACO-K34/332101589380

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Va...Screwdriver-Screw-Holder-Red-USA/143044904190

..... and on and on and on.... just search "vaco screwdriver" - there's dozens of them.

 

[d42jeep]

Yeah, I have several of that style in Vaco and others but I think the OP wants to see more of the type with the spring loaded fingers being used to hold the screws in place. I found a few pictures. The first is of the Vaco and similar expanding versions. The second one is a Keen Kutter made by Bridgeport (I believe) and the last one is Powr-Kraft.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

The ones I own are all aluminum-shaft Ullman-made Indestro like these:

https://ullmandevices.com/collections/starters

Not really a "screwdriver" per se - just a screw starter

Re-branded and sold under any number of brand names - slotted or phillips.



There's a couple thousand of them listed on Ebay from $7 bucks and up - search "screw starter".

 

[d42jeep]

BK, I’m with you on those. They are my “go to” screw starters especially when the screw is located in a recessed area.
-Don

 

[Catfishdan]

I knew I had one somewhere. Dug up this stubby. Marked "HOLD-E-ZEE spring action TC-2".

 

[d42jeep]

It’s finally light enough for a couple pictures. Here are a slotted and Phillips version.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think the OP wants to see more of the type with the spring loaded fingers being used to hold the screws in place.

He did, and "modern versions" so he doesn't have to go looking for vintage. But he posted on the wrong board! Of course everyone is going to jump in with their vintage models! HAHA!

I have what I think may be a very early equivalent, possibly a predecessor and competitor to the HOLD-EE-ZEE, called a GRASP-IT, that I have never been able to track down. Link to GJ thread here.

 

[DFB]

I have an assortment of SOLID blue handled Channellock screw holding screwdrivers...nothing vintage. Have numerous sizes and lengths of both Philips and flat tip.

A quick online search shows a recently ended Ebay auction using both Channellock and Hold E Zee name together what was up with that


Good gawd just for the record can't stand those new Channellock red and blue colors I see looking around for this pic

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is a pair of original vintage Upson Brothers, Rochester, N.Y., HOLD-E-ZEE drivers, a No. R-2 and a No. R-3 (you guys know, but I will say for those who don't, that the numbers correspond to blade length), and the 1927 and 1931 patents.

 

[Username already in use]

Here's mine. NOS from a military surplus KAL ignition tool roll.

 

[Charles959]

I just came across a HOLD-E-ZEE TS-7 that my father had. It is probably from the early 1950s. Does anyone know what type of plastic was used in the yellow translucent handle? It has an awful smell. I can recall smelling it decades ago, and it is just as bad now.

 

[Provincial]

Cellulose Acetate Butyrate plastic.

 

[RTM]

Coating it in shellac can cover the smell.

 

[Charles959]

Thanks for identifying the plastic. There is quite a bit about the odor online.

 

[Charles959]

Thanks for the suggestion.

This article includes the use of shellac:

https://hometoolschool.com/why-my-toolbox-smelt-bad-and-how-i-cured-it-forever-in-8-easy-steps/

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It will also stop disintegration that will follow the offgassing. Only a matter of time. I have done several vintage drivers.

 

[Username already in use]

Here's a Craftsman driver that I picked up over the weekend. Still in really nice shape with a legible branding on the handle.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is an Upson Bros. Hold-E-Zee screw holding screwdriver I found yesterday.
-Don

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Picked this little guy up for 50¢, have quite a few more of these, I’ll get a pic tomorrow if I remember.

 

[genog]

I only have one...
Upson Bros TR-2
Hold-E-Zee
Lok Blok