Let's show our wood (screwdrivers)

[Old Radar]

I picked up this big guy at an estate sale the other day.
It's less than half the length of Moldyjim's Challenger but coming in at 15.5" overall, it's still the largest Beehive driver I've ever seen.
3.75" pipsqueak for comparison.

 

[d42jeep]

I took some pictures of wood handled screwdrivers today.
-Don
Here are some wartime Irwin screwdrivers
Some Vlchek Phillips with the Flying V logo
Two prewar and two postwar Irwin’s.
Some Tobrin screwdrivers Both of my Androck screwdrivers
Two by the original Perfect Handle screwdriver manufacturer

Some with no markings
A Lenox with wood scales and an all metal driver with no markings

 

[four.cycle]

^ any markings on those Androck screwdrivers that might indicate where they were located?

ooops... disregard... found it: http://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2016/02/vanished-tool-brands-androck.html

 

[genog]

FWIW, I found these recently.
I have a couple of awls too, that I believe to be unmarked.
I'll check.....

 

[mvcorse]

A little work on grinding and gasket...

Yes it's a Belzer.

 

[Farmer J.]

A little work on grinding and gasket...

Yes it's a Belzer.

OOOh that's nice precise grinding you have done on that. Looks factory new standard! Nice one, it will go along well with your beautifully restored Facom collection.

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve been looking for a Korean War example of an FSN numbered Irwin perfect handle screwdriver. I found a pair for a fairly reasonable price on eBay. The markings are a little hard to see but they are Gov. Stock #41-S-1076.

eBay photo

-Don

 

[Mintgrun]

I brought this sturdy little North Brothers "YANKEE" No. 90 screwdriver home. It's the smallest YANKEE I've found and also the oldest.



It wasn't easy getting a good photo of the markings, but this one shows the Oct. 15, (19)12 patent date.



https://patents.google.com/patent/US1041451

The patent is for the means of attaching the shank to the handle.

I also found another short handled long shanked one that's kind of fun. I don't see any markings on it though.

 

[MisterEd]

Three we found last week.

 

[MisterEd]

Turnscrew or Screwdriver? What's in a name if it looks and feels like this.

 

[RTM]

I'm gonna go with Cabinet Turnscrew, based on this catalog

William Marples & Sons, Ltd. : Price List : 1928 Centenary Edition : William Marples & Sons, Ltd. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

262 p., illus., 27.2 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

But then if you scroll up or down, they are all turnscrews.

And 4.c doesn't have an R.A. Co on his list (Is that second letter A? so I got nothing more to throw in here.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I found a pair for a fairly reasonable price on eBay. -Don

If you don’t mind … what was the price?

 

[d42jeep]

If you don’t mind … what was the price?

The pair was $19.40 plus shipping.
-Don

 

[Half-fast eddie]

i would call that reasonable.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I couldn’t pass on this. Might need a little tlc.

 

[MisterEd]

Washburn Company Androck Brand Wood Handle Screwdriver 3/8 Inch x 2 Inches & their usual stuff; Androck Flexible Wedge Shaped Spatula Red Bakelite Bullet Handle Patent 2064136.

 

[four.cycle]

@RTM @MisterEd -

From my own observations, I believe that "turnscrew" is pretty much a British thing, but I've seen old New England-made flat-shafted units like that tagged as "turnscrews" (whether or not that's the correct nomenclature I can't say.)

Gracesguide.uk seems to be the best source for information on UK made tools. The other one is Gerald's "progress-is-fine" site, but he's been working on another project and has kind of back-burned the PIF site lately.

And then there's all the "woodworker" collector sites I listed down at the bottom of the list.

 

[MisterEd]

is pretty much a British thing

Well, my Mother was the first official War Bride to reach the USA, or so the Philly Bulletin claimed way back then, so . . .

Familiar with the other sites/places.

After handling the tool for awhile I didn't care what the experts might call it because it was one of those old tools that is a delight to hold and imagine all it had done. As always, thanks for the valuable observations.

 

[Ton ton]

The pair was $19.40 plus shipping.
-Don

I'm always curious what these wooden screwdrivers go for. Thank you for the price.

 

[four.cycle]

"...I didn't care what the experts might call it..."

I spent the better part of an hour early yesterday morning running searches to figure out who made a pair of "jar lifting pliers" before I was able to figure out that I had been spelling the name incorrectly because I couldn't make it out clearly in the only photo image I had to work with.
Using the correct word would have saved me a great deal of time. (As it turned out, using the wrong word led me to a half a dozen other manufacturers I'd never heard of, so it was one of those serendipitous errors.)

Just makes it a lot easier when you've got the name right if you're looking for information.

Otherwise, you can call it Fred, or Jim, or Larry....

Just sayin' ....

 

[MisterEd]

Otherwise, you can call it Fred, or Jim, or Larry....

Wasn't it Moe, Larry and Curly?

There are far more rabbit holes and "wow, that's interesting" stuff readily at hand because of the internet.

I have appreciated your insight and information on numerous occasions.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Sorry... I was "in a mood" there yesterday ... a wee bit over the edge on the frustration scale trying to ferret out some information on another tool maker ...
... on the bright side it looks like one of our favorite tool information websites is about to get some help from one of our own.

 

[thefraze_1020]

A few days ago I found a large Phillips wood-handled screwdriver at my local Habitat store. I picked it up because I saw the "made in U.S.A." stamped on the ferrule. However, I have gone all the way through this thread and I cannot identify this screwdriver. The ferrule has me hung up. I don't recognize the shape, and it simply says "made in U.S.A.". The shaft has the logo marking of Reed and Prince, but that is all I have to identify it. The handle was covered with yellow and red paint, the yellow appearing to be much older. There are very light flutes in the handle as well. I am currently cleaning it up. The Danish oil is drying for the next few days, and then I will apply shellac.

 

[RTM]

My Reed and Prince stubby is very yellow, but heavily fluted, if that helps. Not on this thread apparently.

2021 Garage Sale Thread

...but I picked up a few items. Are you being coy on purpose? The Wakefield DOE adjustable is not easy to find. The only two on the thread are mine and HeelSpur's, if I recall correctly.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have gone all the way through this thread and I cannot identify this screwdriver. The ferrule has me hung up....[ ]...There are very light flutes in the handle as well.

I see what you mean. Since you went through the thread, I'm sure you saw my R&P drivers in post # 232 on page 6 and in post #251 on page 7. The handles are deeply fluted and the ferrules have a much different shape and are also branded. If I had to guess, I'd say yours is either later production, when they had changed handles and ferrules, or less likely, possibly someone frankensteined an R&P shank with a different handle and ferrule.

 

[thefraze_1020]

I see what you mean. Since you went through the thread, I'm sure you saw my R&P drivers in post # 232 on page 6 and in post #251 on page 7. The handles are deeply fluted and the ferrules have a much different shape and are also branded. If I had to guess, I'd say yours is either later production, when they had changed handles and ferrules, or less likely, possibly someone frankensteined an R&P shank with a different handle and ferrule.

I would be inclined to believe that it is later production. The ferrule is in nice enough shape to steer me away from the Frankenstein theory. This driver definitely does not look jerry-rigged to me. Would this screwdriver be sold as a "Reed & Prince"-branded driver? Or would the blade be used on someone else's handle and sold as a different brand?

Also, are there any Reed & Prince catalogs out there? I couldn't find any on the International Tool Catalog Library.

 

[Mintgrun]

I had a buddy that liked wood handled screwdrivers and one day, while out junking, I bought a little tool box, along with a dozen or so old screwdrivers, to add to his collection (of a few). He was thrilled! I don't see him much anymore, but I kept on bringing them home, so now I have a collection. Many, if not most, are not marked with a brand name. I'm actually surprised when I see one that is. Pinning down a maker based on handle, or ferrule shape is tricky too.

I'm trying to be more selective about which ones I bring home these days. This little blonde handled one appealed to me, but I left it in the bin for two or three visits, before finally bringing it home yesterday.



It doesn't have a maker's mark, but sure goes nicely with this little Vlchek example.



Sorta like salt and pepper.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Would this screwdriver be sold as a "Reed & Prince"-branded driver? Or would the blade be used on someone else's handle and sold as a different brand?
Also, are there any Reed & Prince catalogs out there?

I don't know, all above.

 

[RTM]

Don has previously mentioned that finding licensed shanks on other handles was not unique, so I’d guess not uncommon.

Let's show our wood (screwdrivers)

These are not mine, but this video by Scoutcrafter showed up today. A couple of interesting screwdrivers, the like of which I had not seen before. Skip to time 11:12 to see his finished results (if you're not interested in his commentary) .

www.garagejournal.com

Would this screwdriver be sold as a "Reed & Prince"-branded driver? Or would the blade be used on someone else's handle and sold as a different brand?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

There's nothing at all uncommon about finding a Phillips-type cross-recess screwdriver with a Williams branded handle and a shank with a PHILLIPS LIC 7 marking, because Williams did not make their own screwdrivers. They bought them from BHM, who owned Phillips License 7. Similarly, you will see LIC 1 on the shanks of Phillips-type screwdrivers that are branded Blue-Point on the handle, because they were supplied to Snap-on from Stanley, who owned Phillips License 1. Ditto Irwin (LIC 2) and Apex. Etc.

But you won't find any Phillips licenses on any Reed & Prince screwdriver shanks, because R&P did not use Phillips cross-recess tips. They used the Frearson cross-recess tip.

I suppose it's possible there was a similar third party production arrangement, i.e., R&P making cross-recess screwdrivers for other brands, and that brand is worn off fraze's handle. I have no knowledge of that, if so. I'm still inclined to suspect it's a just a later production R&P we have not seen an example of before now.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This little blonde handled one appealed to me, but I left it in the bin for two or three visits, before finally bringing it home yesterday...[ ]...It doesn't have a maker's mark,

Does it have a Phillips License number? Is it LIC 6?

 

[RTM]

Just to follow up on above, here is my Blue-Point for Reed & Prince 1-RPS screwdriver. I originally recalled the shank being stamped for R&P, but I was incorrect, which led to my misguided comments above

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a sweet stubby!

 

[Mintgrun]

Does it have a Phillips License number? Is it LIC 6?

It says Phillips Lic. and then the ferrule covers a number, if there is one. It also has the two patent numbers, plus Made in USA.

The black handled one does not have the Lic. marking, but does have both patents, followed by Made in USA and ALLOY

Okay, I pulled the shank out enough to see the #6 on the blonde one.

edit-- what does the Lic. # tell us?

 

[RTM]

License says who made the shank.

From Lugz' informative thread here

Vintage Snap On help

I am pretty sure this is an old Snap On phillips. Can anyone confirm? I am referring of course to the wooden handled stubby phillips. I've included some pics of a couple other pieces as well. Thanks, you are all awesome and I appreciate this site so much.

www.garagejournal.com

LIC-1: Stanley, Blue-Point
LIC-2: IRWIN, Apex
LIC-3:
LIC-4:
LIC-5:
LIC-6: Vlchek
LIC-7: BHM
LIC-8: Bonney

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Okay, I pulled the shank out enough to see the #6 on the blonde one.

edit-- what does the Lic. # tell us?

It tells us that you have a dang good eye matching that "Salt" driver with the "Peppa" driver without knowing about Phillips licenses!

 

[d42jeep]

A few days ago I found a large Phillips wood-handled screwdriver at my local Habitat store. I picked it up because I saw the "made in U.S.A." stamped on the ferrule. However, I have gone all the way through this thread and I cannot identify this screwdriver. The ferrule has me hung up. I don't recognize the shape, and it simply says "made in U.S.A.". The shaft has the logo marking of Reed and Prince, but that is all I have to identify it. The handle was covered with yellow and red paint, the yellow appearing to be much older. There are very light flutes in the handle as well. I am currently cleaning it up. The Danish oil is drying for the next few days, and then I will apply shellac.

I didn’t recognize the ferrule on your screwdriver either but I spotted this Phillips screwdriver on EBay this morning with the same ferrule. It’s a #3 Phillips and above the patent numbers it’s marked “Lic 1” leading me to think it’s likely Stanley.
-Don

 

[Mintgrun]

I brought home a stubby little honey dipper screwdriver yesterday. It was filthy when I found it, with oily dirt packed into the grooves in the handle. It was fun to floss them clean with a piece of string. The one on the bottom is going to require more effort. There's a lot of that green paint on the side that's not showing.



The tip on the newest one is quite thick for its size. It looks like someone must have shortened it. I have yet to find any of this style in the larger sizes.

Tom

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a cute little postwar Irwin I found on Monday.
-Don

 

[thefraze_1020]

I didn’t recognize the ferrule on your screwdriver either but I spotted this Phillips screwdriver on EBay this morning with the same ferrule. It’s a #3 Phillips and above the patent numbers it’s marked “Lic 1” leading me to think it’s likely Stanley.
-Don

Yes, that ferrule and handle look just like mine! However, I looked through various old Stanley catalogs and their Phillips screwdrivers look completely different. I am starting to think that whoever manufactured the handle and ferrule contracted out to other companies for various shafts.