Screw starters...

[d42jeep]

I didn’t know whether to post this Blue Point screw starter I found yesterday here or in one of the Snap-on/Blue point threads.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nice pocket-clip find, Don. With 'type' and 'brand' threads, that is a common dilemma! With special or unusual type tools, I usually decide the same as you, although sometimes I double-post.

// BREAK //

I was bothered by the Cox I just found not working too well during testing, so I took it apart to make some adjustments to the bend in the spring steel mechanism. It took a few trials before I got it just right. Anyway, as long as it was disassembled, I took some photos. Not that the operation wasn't intuitively apparent, and even more explicit in the patent, but it's really quite the clever, simple design. (Ironically, the set screw is so tiny, I had to use my R-2 HOLD-E-ZEE to re-assemble it. )

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Due to some renewed interest in the ca. 1916 "GRASP-IT" screw holder in my collection, posted in its own thread here, as well as in post #6 on page 1 right here on this bigger topical catch-all thread, @four.cycle expressed some interest in the even older ca. 1902 "THE CAMPBELL DRIVER" screw-holder I also posted in post #6 on page 1. In trying to establish a former linkage between "THE CAMPBELL DRIVER" screw holder and the North Brothers "YANKEE" screwdriver I found it on, I did some more research. I still can't find anything substantial, but I was able to ascertain that they were marketing their own screw holder as early as 1908, casting some aspersions on my speculative relationship between North Bros (Philly) and Campbell (also Philly) by simple proximity.

 

[RTM]

OK, here is a new and different one, completely new to me. Apparently this is for patent 2227466 by Walter R. Runge, Oakland CA, assigned to H.J.J. Co., Oakland CA, a partnership. (Not in DATAMP)

US2227466A - Screw driver - Google Patents

I was able to find a PopMech ad for them from 1991.


This trademark filing has them in Los Gatos in 1972, and this one in 2002 has them in Boulder City

This page has a website address which is for sale, so dead end there. Need to try the wayback machine from 2017

Anyway, on to the pix. Min is s long skinny tool at 10"



The gripper end is here


Holding a screw


Mine is a No. 3, 10" long


And the marking




I need to go in and read the patent, see exactly how its supposed to work, there is no spring action on it, so pushing and pulling the jaws to make it grab, and the white knob at the far end to release

 

[Modern Garage]

The one I have (Post #16 up-thread) measures 7 inches stem to stern, all metal, and is labeled 'Patent Pending' so using the patent you found apparently dates from between the wars. Thanks for that info, I've been wondering about it's age.
The function is exactly as you found: Push a screw on to grip and press the back button to reset for another screw.
Two years ago HJJ company was still active but now as you noted the website is for sale and the phone number is disconnected.
Joe

 

[RTM]

The one I have (Post #16 up-thread) measures 7 inches stem to stern, all metal, and is labeled 'Patent Pending' so using the patent you found apparently dates from between the wars. Thanks for that info, I've been wondering about it's age.
The function is exactly as you found: Push a screw on to grip and press the back button to reset for another screw.
Two years ago HJJ company was still active but now as you noted the website is for sale and the phone number is disconnected.
Joe

Geez, and here I thought I searched for Runge, HJJ and H.J.J. before I posted as “completely new to me”. Guess I need pictures to tell the story.

And it was right below a post of mine. Does yours have any spring action to it? Or all manual forcing?

I was starting to decipher the move dates, maybe later on that, for more definitive dates.

 

[Modern Garage]

All manual. Pretty simple really, just relying on the springiness of the two petals at the business end being spread by the tiny cross pin in the barrel. I've used it quite a few times and it's actually pretty handy - not as fiddly as the type that you grip and twist.
...And now I know it's one of the few tools I own that are older than I am.
Joe

 

[Jr5]

My Bridgeport. Think I’ve posted it before?

 

[four.cycle]

Notwithstanding the "manufacturer unknown" entry at datamp.org on patent 2292657, it would appear that it was indeed Parker who manufactured that unit. What other manufacturers are eligible candidates?
The name of the company changed a few times, but it was still Parker.

I have not yet been able to find any information on the "Common Sense" model which was introduced much earlier than any of the aforementioned models - only a smudgy and poorly-done scan from an early "Scientific American".

 

[four.cycle]

.... just out of curiosity, are we keeping track of the evolution of these things?
it would appear that "common sense" model is the earliest, followed by the "grasp-it", and then the others...

one I have not seen mentioned here in this thread is the Millen Mfg. Co. of Boston and their "Jiffy-Tite" screw starter (patent 1699306)

 

[Mintgrun]

I found this thirsty VACO G-4 gripper and bought it even though it's frozen and the tip has rusted away. I guess I just thought the little ball-end lever was cool. It looks like a brass tube on the inside and maybe a little cadmium on the outside.





Most of mine live in this baking pan. The flex shaft isn't a screw grabber, but it has a plastic sleeve that you can grab onto, to steer the tip.

 

[four.cycle]

oooo that's an interesting take on it... wonder if there are any numbers stamped on it under all that corrosion?

 

[d42jeep]

I found this thirsty VACO G-4 gripper and bought it even though it's frozen and the tip has rusted away. I guess I just thought the little ball-end lever was cool. It looks like a brass tube on the inside and maybe a little cadmium on the outside.

My similar Vaco G2 is still functional. The little blade in the middle rotates to grip the screw slot.
-Don

 

[Mintgrun]

I just scrolled up to look at my close up photo of the tip, to confirm that it looks un-save-able. Yup. Mine's done.

I'm thinking yours answers the question about numbers on the shaft. Nope.

These tips are like the ones on the Hunter screwgrippers I have. They work well (when they're not rusted up).

Tom

 

[Modern Garage]

...And back on the HJJ driver up-thread a ways, I've discovered its a pretty good screw retriever, too. Handy for pulling the deep recessed screws on this chair I'm repairing - push it on, pull 'em out. Couldn't be easier. The more I use this thing, the more I like it.
Joe

 

[four.cycle]

updated see post #67

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Picked up the NOS set of quick wedge screwdrivers with original brochure and holder at my local pawn shop for $25.
The pile of stuff came from the pawn shop as well, also $25, theres a few screw holders mixed in there. The hold ez was mixed in the pile, here it is cleaned up.
-Tommy

 

[humber2]

Picked up the NOS set of quick wedge screwdrivers with original brochure and holder at my local pawn shop for $25.

-Tommy

I’d say a good purchase you won’t regret making.

Are you able to image the quick wedge Catalog please?

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Yes, It will be up shortly

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

There you go.
-Tommy

 

[humber2]

Very good getting a dated list with the makers details, I like that.

I’m lucky to have the 14” version and a few smaller ones, but not the very small ones.

 

[d42jeep]

Those are nice! I posted my few upthread. I found this little one with just the patent number at this morning’s estate sale.
-Don

 

[Walkers]

When I was much younger we would use this as a sort of screw starter.

 

[four.cycle]

"... just the patent number ..."

(In my best Lily Tomlin voice) Number please?

 

[d42jeep]

Ringy, Dingy. Here you go. The patent number is 2150184.

I seemed to have two identical ones of those in the screwdriver drawer. While I was out going through the drawer I found a whole bunch of fun items. K-D, Proto, Vaco, several unmarked. I think I find them and just throw them in the drawer. I grabbed the Hold-E-Zee from the oldies box and added them as well.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here is our previous conversation on the subject.

Smith kyser Pat. #3,582,123

Such is life his patent was filed on May 2, 1969 making it vintage but alas it was granted on June 1, 1971. (Starting in 2020 it will be 1970 and before). Finding any information about his life was very hard so I will try my best here. Smith Kyser was born on Dec. the 8th 1902 (no location...

www.garagejournal.com

-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ It would appear, that the Pearson patent (2150184)(slotted) and the later Kyser patent (3288184)(phillips) were the two most recent patents that apply to the cylindrical aluminum-bodied devices which hold the head of the screw with spring-loaded "teeth".

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a Millers Falls slotted screw starter that I found on Saturday. It required a bit of cleaning and straightening.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

Still looking for something definitive on the 1886 "Common Sense" model. It's possible it may be the Kolb patent, but we haven't been able to make a connection there yet. No idea who actually manufactured the Kolb patent model.

 

[bonneyman]

When I was much younger we would use this as a sort of screw starter.

You do that kind of screw starter....and you'll find alot of little drivers!

 

[piehammer]

Stanley No. 417 6IN picked up on Friday.

 

[piehammer]

Hunter 10-B and 10-M

 

[piehammer]

Vaco K-23, an awful Oxwall, and an Upson Bros. Hold-E-Zee PS-4 Loc-Blok

 

[kwigly]

one I have not seen mentioned here in this thread is the Millen Mfg. Co. of Boston and their "Jiffy-Tite" screw starter (patent 1699306)

Here's my wooden handle Millen Mfg Co "Jiffy Tite". Rough condition, and a bit difficult to read the Mfr and patent No. details on the ferrule without using a magnifier. I like the knurled slider.

 

[Modern Garage]

That curved knurling is beautiful. I should probably ask in the 'Fabrication' thread but, I wonder how you knurl on a compound curve like that?
Joe

 

[kwigly]

That curved knurling is beautiful. I should probably ask in the 'Fabrication' thread but, I wonder how you knurl on a compound curve like that?
Joe

You'd use a concave faced knurling tool instead of the usual flat face tools. Hammacher Schlemmer used to sell knurling tool sets with some concave knurling wheels (type 5-L might be close)

 

[HeelSpur]

Here's a close idea what would be used.

 

[Modern Garage]

I have to presume the differing feed speeds due to the differing circumference between the center vs. right/left edges would cause some smearing of the knurl, but apparently the small size of the workpiece serves to make that not noticeable.
Joe

 

[Mintgrun]

I found another little Hunter screw starter yesterday. This M3 may have been the smallest one they made. It's marked Los Angeles, as opposed to Santa Fe.







Here's the patent from 1943

US2324153A - Screw-holding screw driver - Google Patents

and a little write up on the Progress is Fine site

Vanished tool makers: Hunter Tools, Los Angeles, California

progress-is-fine.blogspot.com

I recently shared this tool board find in the Bonney thread. I don't have any of their screw starters that fit the board, but decided to hang up my off-brand collection.

 

[bonneyman]

Diggin' your collection, Mintgrun!