Leon B. Miller Flexible Tools

[RubiconJK]

I recently found a Leon B. Miller flexible screwdriver and after doing some looking on GJ and elsewhere I don't find much about this company. OTG and Lugz had a brief conversation last year in the "My Small But Growing 1/4" drive socket set collection" thread where OTG showed his Miller flexible driver socket set.

My Small But Growing 1/4" drive Socket Set Collection

Thanks. I’m watching too. -Don

www.garagejournal.com

My Small But Growing 1/4" drive Socket Set Collection

Thanks. I’m watching too. -Don

www.garagejournal.com

Also attached is a copy of the patent Miller was granted in 1935,

OTG's socket driver sets shows the company with a New York address while my screwdriver(See pic of the **** end of the driver) shows them in Stamford, CT. Little doubt that this is the same company, and since the patent document references New York, I'm going to suppose that there was a move to Stamford later. On the box that came with my screwdriver the name Bandwagon Manufacturing Inc of Boston is shown. There are a few patents and TM's filed by Bandwagon that date to the early 50's, thus another reason I think there is a possibility of the Stamford address for Miller being later.

I have a Leon B. Miller socket driver set much like OTG's coming in the mail and will report back once it is in my hands. A key difference in mine and OTG's is that mine was packaged in a wood box.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Good info Rubicon. Patent seems to have targeted the flex portion of the driver. I wonder if other manufacturers had to license it.

 

[RubiconJK]

Good info Rubicon. Patent seems to have targeted the flex portion of the driver. I wonder if other manufacturers had to license it.

Thanks. Good question. BTW there are a few other patents credited to Miller including one related to a piston ring compressor tool. Patent 2626530 was filed in 1948 and granted in 1953 shows the Stamford reference.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Seems like there was more to leon Miller than I thought

 

[RubiconJK]

Seems like there was more to leon Miller than I thought

Here is a link to what the search turned up for him on Google patents.

Google Patents

Search and read the full text of patents from around the world with Google Patents, and find prior art in our index of non-patent literature.

patents.google.com

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Very interesting. Here is the set in question. No patent numbers or markings at all. Great find on the screwdriver!

 

[four.cycle]

Thanks RubiconJK! Your "Flexible Screwdriver" ties both of them together. Looks like Miller was the manufacturer and "Bandwagon" was their distributor - the business stuff is all under Miller's name.
Leon B. Miller did hold several patents, one of them a design patent for a small pocket file.

Bandwagon / (Bandwagon Mfg. Co. see Miller, L.B.) /

Miller / L.B. Miller Co., Stamford, Ct / also DBA Leon B. Miller, Sheepshead Bay, NYC / socket set, flexible screwdriver / patent 2023693 Dec 10 1935 & 2497228 Feb 14 1950 & D107783 Jan 4 1938 Leon B. Miller / see also Bandwagon Mfg. Co. / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/leon-b-miller-flexible-tools.489659/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...et-set-collection.405698/page-15#post-7665308 /

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That file looks awesome! Surprised no one came up with that sooner.

 

[RTM]

I think I have an ignition file somewhere with a pocket clip. Will need to look harder later.

 

[four.cycle]

I want one!

 

[RubiconJK]

I have a Leon B. Miller socket driver set much like OTG's coming in the mail and will report back once it is in my hands. A key difference in mine and OTG's is that mine was packaged in a wood box.

As previously teased, my L.B. Miller socket driver set arrived earlier today. Like OTG's, mine is also hex drive and includes all 6 of the original sockets, but mine is in a wooden box and shows Stamford vs the metal box of OTG's set showing NYC. From the looks of it, I don't think this set or my previously found flexible screwdriver have ever been used.

From the literature in my set, it appears that Miller also made both flexible and rigid 6 1/4" long extensions in hex or square drive for additional versatility.

As I get some time, I hope to do a bit more research on date of manufacturer and the transition timing from Stamford to NYC.

As an additional tease, those who know me from the Plomb thread will hopefully see a new post from me soon with pics from a major recent find for my WF set.

 

[four.cycle]

the flexible driver for the sockets is a 1/4" hex drive?

but the flexible slotted screwdriver bit is fixed onto the flexible shaft and cannot be removed?

 

[RubiconJK]

the flexible driver for the sockets is a 1/4" hex drive?

but the flexible slotted screwdriver bit is fixed onto the flexible shaft and cannot be removed?

Correct on both counts.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Very nice! Love finding stuff in the original wood box.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Sweet find and nice acquisition, Roob.

 

[RubiconJK]

Very nice! Love finding stuff in the original wood box.

Sweet find and nice acquisition, Roob.

Thank you. There is something fun about finding these little obscure companies that seemingly didn't leave many tracks behind.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Oh, I definitely share that feeling.