Screw starters...

[humber2]

There you go.
-Tommy

Looking at the list shows E suffix tools for Electricians.

I’ve not seen any shown in the catalog and none seem to have been offered up yet.

Checking my steadily growing Q-W collection reveals 3 examples, here’s what they are.

 

[gordyzx9r]

Posted this on another thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/lets-show-our-wood-screwdrivers.458966/post-10993110

Found this in a lot of vintage tools from an estate sale. I can't find any identifying manufacturer marks on it.

The only writing I can see is "Grip Point Patd" (at least I think that's what it says).

I assume it's some kind of screw-holding screwdriver. When I push up on the knurl/knob there is a shaft that slides up into the notch (see the two photos with the tip).

I went back and read the previous posts here and I don't see one like this.

Any ideas on manufacturer/make/model?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Very nice find. I haven't been fortunate enough to run into one on the wild yet. RTM has. See next post.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I went back and read the previous posts here and I don't see one like this...[ ]...Any ideas on manufacturer/make/model?

This is a Grip Point Pat’d marked tool, and the list puts it as made by

Stromberg / Stromberg Motoscope, 2703 Belmont, Chicago, IL / "Grip Point" screwdriver /

You can find "the list" (US Mfgrs, A-Z) that RTM is referring to in the Sticky, post #6.

You see the Search tool, upper right, right? You can select Everywhere, This Forum, or This Thread. Advanced is helpful, too.

 

[four.cycle]

Humbolt Iowa tool auction says Goodell Bros.

looks like this is where I found the "Stromberg" connection, which appears to be in error....

Stromberg DID make a "Grip Point" screwdriver, but it appears to be a different "Grip Point" than @gordyzx9r 's specimen.

The second image (1937 "Service" pp 438) describes how the device is employed by the "release of a lever", a feature not found on @gordyzx9r 's unit.

Still lacking a patent number on the Goodell unit, which may possibly make a change in the "timeline of evolution of screw starters".


August 1937 Radio Retailing Stromberg Motoscope "Grip Point" screwdriver pp 51

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Still lacking a patent number on the Goodell unit, which may possibly make a change in the "timeline of evolution of screw starters".

I have yet to see a marking on the unit or a trade mag etc demonstrating that it's Goodell Brothers, and I can't find a record of a patent to either brother for a screw starter/holder on DATAMP or anywhere else, or any record of Goodell Brothers TM'ing "GRIP POINT", but if it is, that would mean pre-Pratt (1898), and it would, indeed, be older than the Campbell (1902) by at least four (4) years.

The oldest Goodell-Pratt catalog on IA/ITCL is 1904. No "GRIP POINT" or any other screw starter inside it. I guess it's possible it didn't make it from the Goodell Brothers line into the early Goodell-Pratt line, but I find that a little odd.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Currently the only the information available is that above from the Humboldt Iowa Antique Tool Auction from May 2012, until such time as something turns up in a contemporary trade journal.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Currently the only the information available is that above from the Humboldt Iowa Antique Tool Auction from May 2012,

I saw it. How did they identify though? It's an empty reference. A reference without a reference. As you know, there was a time when nobody in this hobby would think to question anything with the dint of authority like a tool auction. Unfortunately, we've seen many mistakes that thrive in perpetuity. It's vexing that the information doesn't show up in all the usual places. That can mean it's just hard to find. Not a patent assigned to the Goodell Brothers, for example, but one they used under license. But even that's not mentioned anywhere else. I'm not challenging the Humboltd IA auction log. But this clearly needs a reference.

The Stromberg GRIP POINT works exactly the same way, by the way. It is actuated differently on the shank. But on the business end the little dynamic cruciform piece turns inside the flathead blade exactly the same way. Stromberg may have simply copied it - and the name, of course, in the 30's. There is also a Vaco GRIP POINT in the 60's. I have not seen an example, but my hunch would be it's also a knock-off.

 

[Rc_Guy]

 

[MisterEd]

Consume enough vodka and everything looks like a screw starter. Or a saw set, maybe.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Consume enough vodka and everything looks like a screw starter. Or a saw set, maybe.

Or make you give one back that you never took.

 

[d42jeep]

I’m up to three of the Irwin 900 screw starters. I was using one recently and the handle started spinning on the shaft. They are very useful for making pilot holes for small wood screws.
-Don

Here is a Craftsman version that must be kind of rare. At least I haven’t run across them.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ I've seen that widget in another thread, Don. Within the last 90-120 days. Can't recall where.

I saw it. How did they identify though? It's an empty reference. A reference without a reference. As you know, there was a time when nobody in this hobby would think to question anything with the dint of authority like a tool auction. Unfortunately, we've seen many mistakes that thrive in perpetuity. It's vexing that the information doesn't show up in all the usual places. That can mean it's just hard to find. Not a patent assigned to the Goodell Brothers, for example, but one they used under license. But even that's not mentioned anywhere else. I'm not challenging the Humboltd IA auction log. But this clearly needs a reference.

The Stromberg GRIP POINT works exactly the same way, by the way. It is actuated differently on the shank. But on the business end the little dynamic cruciform piece turns inside the flathead blade exactly the same way. Stromberg may have simply copied it - and the name, of course, in the 30's. There is also a Vaco GRIP POINT in the 60's. I have not seen an example, but my hunch would be it's also a knock-off.

^ I obviously missed this post somehow. (No big surprise, I miss a LOT of stuff here because of distractions - and lately disconnects.)

"A reference without a reference", indeed.
I don't have an answer... I'll have to go back up and re-read all that.

< edit 03/18/25 12:03 PDT> not a clue! I have a few "Goodell" documents back to 1891, but nothing showing a "screw starter".

No names on that Humbolt Iowa website, either, so no idea if that's Gaier or Haury, both of whom have struck me as being fairly exacting.
No idea who the crew is/was on that one.

 

[RTM]

No names on that Humbolt Iowa website, either, so no idea if that's Gaier or Haury, both of whom have struck me as being fairly exacting.
No idea who the crew is/was on that one

The Great Planes trading company is Mike Urness, he ran the Humboldt IA one for 20 years. I think he is pretty good as well. I take most of his stuff as being right on, trust but verify. I think his site IDd my last oddball.

 

[four.cycle]

^ The question does warrant an answer - the "reference without a reference" point is spot on.

I will have to revisit this one later because a recent post of Stan's on his "flickr" page (showing an early screw starter) is acting as something of a speed-bump in my head at the moment - I'm not thinking clearly about this right now.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a Blue Point Phillips screw starter I found at an estate sale yesterday.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Back in August 2022 I found a c. 1925 Seth J. Cox patented "HOLDFAST" screwdriver, made in Franklin, PA, at one of my flea markets. It was only marked 'PATENTED'. That post, with the patent diagram, 1929 Popular Mechanics ads, and a DATAMP page link, can be found upthread here.

Yesterday I found another one at the flea market and it shows some evolution. This example, with a shorter shaft, is marked with the patent number (1562543), for one. I'm guessing it's older and they dispensed with the number later. They also changed handle style (6-sided to round with grooves) and finish (black to cherry). These are handsome screwdrivers and I am very pleased to have found them both.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is one I found at an estate sale last week. It’s an Upson Bros Hold-E-Zee but the handle markings are unusual. “Sell Servel Supermetic” with a pocket clip as well.






Yesterday we found a little more common Vaco but in unusually good condition
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

Wine is fine and beer so dear, but liquor is quicker.

Many a screw has been started that way... as has many a shotgun wedding.

 

[four.cycle]

@Private Lugnutz -
FWIW: another example of Cox's screw starter (patent 1562543) has a much shorter handle than the two examples you've already posted here:

 

[Private Lugnutz]

^ Thanks. A stubby version would be fun to run into one day.

 

[four.cycle]

... after I posted those images (from a Dec 2023 ebay listing) the question occurred: is it possible that unit was cut down by a previous owner, or was there some design change, or were there possibly different models? (wild speculative thinking of course.)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

All feasible possibilities on the shank length. If you look, my two examples, different in production era (PAT PEND, and patent number), don't have quite the same shank length, either. But by "stubby" I was referring fo the handle. It's very short. Looks roughly half the length of mine.

 

[KnurledNut]

 

[Beerhippie]

^OOh! An Alnico magnet--those are really strong!

Then neodymium came along....

 

[alinc100]

You guys mention screw starters and look at what I find in my latest toolbox cleanout, Blue Point

 

[four.cycle]

All feasible possibilities on the shank length. If you look, my two examples, different in production era (PAT PEND, and patent number), don't have quite the same shank length, either. But by "stubby" I was referring fo the handle. It's very short. Looks roughly half the length of mine.

Yes. I saw both of yours, and then looked in my "Cox" folder and found that ebay example, which is quite different.
Hence my speculation about "different models".

The ebay specimen on the RED background is 6 inches overall length.
Another example found on ebay is 8.5 inches overall length. And yet another example found on ebay is 9.5 inches overall length.


The handle on the "stubby" looks kinda-sorta "factory" to me.
The seller of the red-handled unit says 8.5 inches overall length, but didn't provide a photo next to a ruler.
The black-handled unit is clearly 9.5 inches. That handle looks kind of "plastic-y", no?

 

[Beerhippie]

Here's Vaco K46 from yesterday's expedition:

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's Vaco K46...

Looks exactly like a Quick-Wedge. I don't know if the Kedman Company, which owned the patent (3,224,479/1965) and made the Quick-Wedge in Salt Lake City also made them for others, or licensed the design to others, or what.

 

[Beerhippie]

Looks exactly like a Quick-Wedge. I don't know if the Kedman Company, which owned the patent (3,224,479/1965) and made the Quick-Wedge in Salt Lake City also made them for others, or licensed the design to others, or what.

Aside from the Vaco branding, there are no other marks.

I do see that it's still sold under the Klein brand--and others.

 

[RTM]

Funny this rose to the top. I just used a Quick Wedge as a screw REMOVER. .

I was cleaning up a Queen City by Bergman 12" adjustable wrench . All gunked up, and so thick with grease, the screw would not come out. Rather than look for a 2x4 to whack it on, just grabbed it with the QW, and gently twisted it out. So easy.

 

[Beerhippie]

New for today:





Ullman Devices Corp. Ridgefield, Conn. Something tells me this is an actual manufacturer, rather than re-badging.

 

[Provincial]

New for today:





Ullman Devices Corp. Ridgefield, Conn. Something tells me this is an actual manufacturer, rather than re-badging.

You are right. Ullman is still in business. They also make inspection mirrors and pick sets. The pick sets have tips that screw into an aluminum handle with a magnet on the end. I bought one in the early 1970's, and it is still my go-to in my mobile tool box.

Everything they make is excellent, and I believe is still made in the USA.

 

[four.cycle]

very much still in business:

Ullman / Ullman Devices Corporation, 664 Danbury Road, Ridgefield CT 06877 / https://ullmandevices.com/ / 2150184 Mar 14 1939 George F. Pearson /

You don't see their name on a lot of stuff because they produce a LOT of private-label brands for other companies. (e.g., Wilde's "picks" are made by Ullman)

 

[Beerhippie]

You are right. Ullman is still in business. They also make inspection mirrors and pick sets. The pick sets have tips that screw into an aluminum handle with a magnet on the end. I bought one in the early 1970's, and it is still my go-to in my mobile tool box.

Everything they make is excellent, and I believe is still made in the USA.

Yeah, don't know what I was thinking--I have two of the Ullman H-4 pick sets, bought new.

 

[Modern Garage]

Oh man! I loved that pick set! The pieces got lost one by one and I had forgotten all about it. I've plenty of other picks now but good memories of that set helping repair a lot of transmissions.
...We now return you to your regularly scheduled screw starter programming...

 

[Beerhippie]

Oh man! I loved that pick set! The pieces got lost one by one and I had forgotten all about it. I've plenty of other picks now but good memories of that set helping repair a lot of transmissions.
...We now return you to your regularly scheduled screw starter programming...

How do you think I ended up with two sets? I lost the first set, bought another, and....

 

[four.cycle]

^ exactly.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are a couple of Upson Bros. 1949 ads that I spotted on eBay.
-Don

 

[Etchase]

Some Ullman branded Bonney, Bonney, Proto, Fairmount, Proto with the Phillips head, and two unbranded.