Screw starters...

[Steven 33]

Thanks @Private Lugnutz . Your “intro” to my last post is so good, I may have to intentionally pause the next time I need to repost to see if you’ll get it started for me again!

Here is my post and photos from the wood screwdriver’s thread, and Yes, the slot-tip inside the sleeve is spring-loaded (see new photo):

“I can’t figure this one out. A couple months ago, I picked up this wood handled 10 1/2" slotted screwdriver with holding sleeve (only marking is a “PAT PENDING”). The wood handle is five-sided and has a comfortable grip pattern (see photos). I have tried Google Lens and AI, but have not figured out the patent or patent-holder. Any ideas?”

It's interesting that that handle looks exactly like the one on this Old forge screwdriver. I'm sure the picture isn't the best showing where it said that I can see it very clear with the right lighting

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a recent Craftsman find. I tend to pick up screw starting screwdrivers that I would leave behind if they were simply normal screwdrivers.
After some de-rusting.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It's interesting that that handle looks exactly like the one on this Old Forge screwdriver.

That Old Forge handle looks like it has at least six and maybe more no-roll flats on it, and they are only on the main grip, not near the ferrule, where it's rounded, whereas Fred's has a pentagonal shape throughout the entire handle, from the ferrule to the end.

 

[Steven 33]

That Old Forge handle looks like it has at least six and maybe more no-roll flats on it, and they are only on the main grip, not near the ferrule, where it's rounded, whereas Fred's has a pentagonal shape throughout the entire handle, from the ferrule to the end.

I just need to stop trying to solve or mysteries that I need to ha I just bought this though. It is pretty cool

 

[Steven 33]

That Old Forge handle looks like it has at least six and maybe more no-roll flats on it, and they are only on the main grip, not near the ferrule, where it's rounded, whereas Fred's has a pentagonal shape throughout the entire handle, from the ferrule to the end.

This one is Haines mfg

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This one is Haines mfg

Photo is fuzzy, but that looks like a dead ringer for the Cox HOLDFAST design. Square shank, square spring-fed housing holding two grabbers.

What's odd about that is a quick Google Books search shows that Haines Mfg was making a screwstarter they called a KWIK-WAY in 1925.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Haines was a precursor to Upson Brothers.






Rudolf Velepec and the Upson brothers worked for Haines. I've been missing/misattributing that. They all split and started Upson Brothers and all subsequent improvements and the famous HOLD-E-ZEE production was Upson Brothers after that.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

4.c was on it, but not mentioned on this thread prior...

Haines / Haines Mfg. Co., 84 Exchange St., Rochester, NY / screw starter / patent 1641307 Sep 6 1927 Rudolph J. Velepec / see also Upson Bros., Rochester, NY /

 

[Steven 33]

Not sure on this one.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not sure on this one

I don't recall seeing that one before.

The bulk of the entire thing and the mechanism kinda sorta reminds me of a switch on a reversible screwdriver or drill, but I'm assuming you just slide it back and forth to engage and disengage the screw head with those ostensible grabbers. But what is that other slot behind the lower slot for?

As for markings, that first character doesn't look like an "S" (unless it's a stylized font and the top of the letter is worn), but with the rest of the word reading "AFETY", it sure looks it should be an "S".

Is that a word above "SAFETY"? Or am I just seeing things?

 

[Steven 33]

I don't recall seeing that one before.

The bulk of the entire thing and the mechanism kinda sorta reminds me of a switch on a reversible screwdriver or drill, but I'm assuming you just slide it back and forth to engage and disengage the screw head with those ostensible grabbers. But what is that other slot behind the lower slot for?

As for markings, that first character doesn't look like an "S" (unless it's a stylized font and the top of the letter is worn), but with the rest of the word reading "AFETY", it sure looks it should be an "S".

Is that a word above "SAFETY"? Or am I just seeing things?

There definitely could be a word above it, but I have a horrible tendency of "seeing things" myself, so it's hard to say. The black part feels like some sort of plastic so if there is it's likely worn beyond my capabilities to make anything out.
There's 2 screw holes. The one closest to the tip holds a sleeve in place. With some work I was able to slide it all the way off.
And then the one closer to the handle holds the grabbers.

So basically The sleeve can go as far up as you want and the secondary sleeve that holds the grabber things seems to want to stop right about here

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm still not fully understanding its operation, but multiple sleeves and moving that set screw from one position to another to secure its functional grabbing position sounds overly complicated. EDIT: Which is exactly what makes some vintage tools appealing!

 

[Steven 33]

I'm still not fully understanding its operation, but multiple sleeves and moving that set screw from one position to another to secure its functional grabbing position sounds overly complicated.

The biggest problem with that is that I truly don't know if it's because of The quality of my description or if it really is just overly complicated. I pretty much decided not to fool with anymore. I'll let the next guy figure it out.

 

[four.cycle]

"AFETY"

The black part feels like some sort of plastic

insulated?
perhaps intended to be used by electricians?

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a black handle Phillips screw holding screwdriver I found yesterday, unmarked except for the Upson Bros screw holder mechanism, which can partially fit into a recess in the handle.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Here is another new one to me, but seems very similar in action to one I've posted earlier, and other versions here seem like the same mechanism, but different external appearance.

Tjhis one the shaft becomes a hex at the top, and as you push forward, there is a twist inside the handle, which rotates the grip in the tip (point) of the screwdriver. Might actually be a Grip Point, but I'm getting tired now.

You can see the handle here, with the diagonal cut inside which allows the rotation of the grip point. The shaft starts round, way offscreen left, and transitions to hex right near my fingertip. Took me a minute to realize what I had here, originally thought a long screwdriver, then looked closer at the tip. (Thanks to great afternoon sun for giving me a nice see thru view of the handle.)

This image shows how long it is, with the hex portion near the other screwdriver tip.

 

[Mintgrun]

I think that's a Hunter screw starter. I like that gripping mechanism. I shared a similar one here.

Screw starters...

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

www.garagejournal.com

Here's the patent.

US2324153A - Screw-holding screw driver - Google Patents

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a black handle Phillips screw holding screwdriver I found yesterday, unmarked except for the Upson Bros screw holder mechanism, which can partially fit into a recess in the handle.
-Don

Here is another Upson Bros long thin screwdriver found at an estate sale on Friday. It’s a little less rusty now.
-Don

 

[1whocares]

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.

I just found this when looking at screw starter threads, I am curious what the board part number is, I have one that has mostly the same tools, but in different positions,this is the only one that I have found a picture of.

 

[Mintgrun]

The number in the lower right corner of that board is 1024. Here's where I shared it (along with a hammer board) in the Bonney thread. Maybe you could share photos of yours there as well.

Spreading the Bonney affliction!

Got this little set recently. All the same date codes 1933. Cool little pouch.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[RTM]

Here are a couple of more screw starters picked up since the holidays. One is the Hunter patent, as noted above, in a shape similar to mintgrun's link . And the best part of it, it is a Hunter, same mechanism that I posted above.





The other is an Upson type, as posted by Don above. A basic holder, but in nice condition.

 

[Leviton]

The man, the myth, the legend.

Found a Pearson version in good shape. It’s marked: “Pearson Tools Salt Lake Pat. 2150184 Made In U.S.A."

George applied for his patent in 1939 and in 1960 and newspaper would write a screwy article about him and his tool.

 

[Ayrhead]

Here's my meager collection. I generally hold little esteem for these when I see them in my screwdriver drawer. I think I've even gotten rid of a few over the years, selling them at swap meets with a sneer. Just yesterday they came to mind when I was in a real tight spot and I frantically went on a search for them. When I found them I was in such a panic I only saw 2 and was thinking "why didn't I keep more of these". Turned out it was just what was needed and performed perfectly for the task at hand.


I'm also including some pics of a nut holder which I hope isn't too far off topic. I just never see these around and am wondering if there are more variations out there. I'm sure I had some labeled snap-on but I can't find them. Perhaps I'm mistaken.

Wow. That nut holder is pretty Kewl! I’ve never seen one b4.

 

[Beerhippie]

Got this one in an old chest today:



Just another Ullman starter, I thought--until I got home and realized it was the long-sought-after Phillips!

Unfortunately, it's nearly useless. My usual trick of some pipe dope on the tip of the driver holds much better.

But I now have one!

 

[Leviton]

Got this one in an old chest today:



Just another Ullman starter, I thought--until I got home and realized it was the long-sought-after Phillips!

Unfortunately, it's nearly useless. My usual trick of some pipe dope on the tip of the driver holds much better.

But I now have one!

Is it useless because of the design, or because there is a mechanical problem with it?

 

[Beerhippie]

Is it useless because of the design, or because there is a mechanical problem with it?

It appears to be the design. It won't even begin to hold anything smaller than M6/1/4-20, and then just barely. It will not work at all on any kind of "multi-driver" screw, nor Posidrive.

I really need a Phillips started that works on M4 screws. When rebuilding a Rinnai, there are tons of those and some are 8" deep in a narrow space in the case. Fortunately, I have the pipe-dope trick to fall back on.

 

[Leviton]

Found a little flat head (Pearson type) with a magnet on the other end.

It is 2-5/8” long and marked "Ullman Devices Ridgefield, Conn. Made In U.S.A. D-1".



Ullman still makes the D-2 and D-3 but the D-1 is no longer listed on their website.

 

[Beerhippie]

Found a little flat head (Pearson type) with a magnet on the other end.

It is 2-5/8” long and marked "Ullman Devices Ridgefield, Conn. Made In U.S.A. D-1".



Ullman still makes the D-2 and D-3 but the D-1 is no longer listed on their website.

I mostly use the Ullman starters for screws that I can't reach--I can see why the little fella' might not be a big seller.

But it is cute as a bug's ****!