ID these scredrivers? and some old Xcelites

[Ole Slewfoot]

These have a good feel to them, and a distinctive deep 8 spline grip I can't recall seeing before. no markings but the one pictured, I read it as I.S.U.S.A. anyone know who makes, errr made these?
3 unknown drivers;

And some Xcelite while I'm sorting screwdrivers

a cute little RCA radio parts co. set, bigger interchangeable, with a homebuilt for extra reach, and a distributor tool.

 

[kd3pc]

Look like old Vaco handles and shafts...

 

[Robby321]

I got a lot of stuff like that! From my Dad as he was a Radio/TV repairman 40's to 60's

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

the hex quick change looks like a Vaco because Excelite bought Vaco.

But those ones with the spline grips...I looked at every vintage screwdriver on ebay and didn't see one....

 

[ttpete]

In pic #6, the short double ended black handled tool is for changing breaker points in the Delco distributor of an older Chevy stovebolt six engine. The socket end is 11/32" and is used to remove the terminal nut, and the other end is to loosen the special nut underneath to release the breaker arm spring from the inner end of the terminal. It's a Snap-on # MD-17 or possibly an Xcelite copy. Most old-time Chevy mechanics had one, and I still have mine.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Everything in the last 3 pictures is marked Excellite Orchard Park except the RCA badged stubby.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

First picture looks like early Vaco. I just got some Vaco nut drivers last week and they have the same handles.

 

[four.cycle]

the hex quick change looks like a Vaco because Excelite bought Vaco.

can't say about excelite (Xcelite?), but Vaco was swallowed up by Klein.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

APEX ate Excellite, maybe they just licensed the design from Vaco;

In 1973, the brand was purchased by Cooper Industries.
In 2010, the brand was transferred to Apex Tool Group, a joint venture formed by Cooper Industries and Danaher Corporation

Speaking of APEX, they apparently patented the little hex bit we all know
So here are 2 pre conglomerate APEX drivers with 2 Shelton Socketoool ratcheting drivers, an Upson Bros Lok-Blok Hold-e-zee driver that must have been purchased when it was a new cool ting, the 'pat applied for' marking puts it between 1952 and 1955. And last a Byron Jackson Co stamped nesting screwdriver set

 

[four.cycle]

dunno about Xcelite... I called Klein on the phone several months ago asking for some information on Vaco and was told they bought Vaco years ago, but there was nobody on the payroll who was able to answer any inquiries about the Vaco products.

 

[bonneyman]

I think I have a couple of drivers with that 8-spline pattern. I'll dig thru my stash and see - if you want them they are yours.

Love old VACO nutdrivers - Xcelites ain't bad neither. Just managed to find a few more NOS VACO's - my set is just 2 short of being complete.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Those are quite a festive looking bunch, and it's nice to grab the size you want by color.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I found another one with legible writing, and the 8 spline is VACO.
Knowing where to look, I was able to find a trace of it on one of the other drivers.
The flash makes it look like it stands out better than in real life.
On the dirty driver,its in the valley on the clean one its on the ridge where it can get worn off.

 

[LesserSon]

My home was built a century ago. This 3/4x11-1/2x34-1/4" board is the underside of a closet shelf. Wasn't sure of the age of it until I tore out a rough door jam in the cellar and found another piece with nearly the same stencil (narrower image). Web search says founded in 1872, acquired by Borg Warner in 1955, so that suggests some dates for your screwdriver. Now part of Flowserve. Based on the nature of their business, I guess my board was a crate for pumps and valves for the heating system. I converted from oil to gas years ago, so the old burner and pumps are gone, or I'd check them for the name. Your stamped screwdriver is probably a promotional advertising gift. Whether they made them inhouse or just had them stamped by a supplier would be an interesting quest.