Screwball Ratcheting Screwdriver

[Screwballseeker]

PLEASE PM me. I'm desperate to obtain a Screwball Screwdriver. My mother recently broke hers and can't use any other screwdriver because of her advanced arthritis. She is quite the handywoman and she was just so upset when she broke hers. I'm trying to be a hero and get her one. Please help me!!!

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Will look in basement. There is one or a clone down there, yours if I can actually find it.

 

[Screwballseeker]

That would be unbelieveable!!eternally grateful!

 

[Lump]

I'll look too. Won't be home tonight till about 10 PM, but I'm sure I have one somewhere. If Bruce doesn't find his, I'll try to help.

 

[Bull]

If you guys turn up extras, after this member of ours has been taken care of for his/her mom's sake, please let me know. I'd pay for an extra one.

 

[Screwballseeker]

I couldnt resist and called my mom and told her not to get too excited but I might have one for her with help from guys/girls? from garage journal. She yelled "You're kidding me??!!!"

 

[Lump]

I've got an 8-ball pool league match tonight, and expect to be back home at about 11 PM. I'll try my best to find one. Bruce, if you find your's first, let us know, so that I can relax and wait until Thursday to look for mine. But I will come through, eventually.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Will root around tonight. Basement is a trackless jungle of elderly iron, but I have some ideas of where to look.

 

[Screwballseeker]

I REALLY appreciate it, guys

 

[Lump]

Keep in mind that anything I find will be used....and look that way. I don't have any new-in-the-original-package screwballs.

 

[Danglerb]

Are you all talking about the EasyDriver?
http://www.easydrivertool.com/

 

[mickeyone]

have one it says ludell on it has phillips bit only..red and white ball used condition

 

[bonneyman]

DaytonFan had two new in box easydrivers for sale in the classifieds starting 9-11. Just looked at it.....as far as I can tell, neither has been sold. FYI.

 

[Bull]

The Easydriver is a different animal from the Screwball, for the record. From what I can tell, the Screwball is the superior product.

 

[Screwballseeker]

Definitely looking for the screwball (red and yellow top ratcheting screwdriver). Thanks for the heads up on the easy driver, but she wants the screwball screwdriver. I'm aware that they're not going to be any new ones out there. Will gladly pay for the authentic screwball as well as s&h to send it to me.

 

[shovel]

PM me your address. I've got one.

 

[Bull]

PM me your address. I've got one.

It took fewer than eight hours for this new friend of ours to be rescued by one of our members. Only here at the GJ, folks, only here

 

[shovel]

It took fewer than eight hours for this new friend of ours to be rescued by one of our members. Only here at the GJ, folks, only here

I normally wont get in a hurry for you guys, but its for his MOM!

 

[Lump]

Just got home. That's great news.

Good job, Shovel!

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I normally wont get in a hurry for you guys, but its for his MOM!

So your trying to keep him from getting your namesake upside the back of the head?

 

[Screwballseeker]

WOW!! As I "pm'ed" to Shovel, you guys are really something special! What a tight-knit community!

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

I have something...off to a meeting, will describe it in a bit...don't know if right thing or a knockoff. Bruce

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

What I found in the basement:

The tool has a plastic handle, a slightly ovoid ball the size of a very large lemon.
One half is white, the other orangeish brown, probably faded from original orange.
Very roughly 3" times 2 1/4"
Shaft is about 4", inserts into ball with a square shank, tip takes normal 1/4' screwdriver bits. To reverse the ratcheting you insert the shaft into opposite side of the handle ball.
Is this what is needed?? There is absolutely no marking or packaging, and whatever it is has been in the basement for at least 20 years.
No, I have no way to post a picture.

Bruce

 

[Bull]

Bruce, that sounds like an Easydriver, a similar yet different tool. A Screwball reverses direction with a switch, the shaft remains in place.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

OK...found the Screwball pic Screwball posted in the classifieds. This is definitely not the same, and likely Bull's ID is correct.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Who made the screwball? (from googling it looks like a Ronco product?)

 

[Danglerb]

I think I found a picture. No luck at all on current product.

 

[Danglerb]

Runco, S. V. Tools (India maybe), last holder now expired of the trademark was Fiskars Manufacturing.

 

[Bull]

There are some good pics in this thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74644&highlight=screwball

 

[737mechanic]

Here is one on ebay. Starting bid is 9.95 with no bids as of yet but there is 4 days left. Shipping is 7.95. If you are lucky no one will want this and you can get it for under 20 bucks total.

Ebay Screwball

I have one of these that I bought when I was 10. Will never part with it. I never use it but it is one of those things that brings back my childhood.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

The link there to the Easydriver does look like the one I found, but with one hemispere translucent.

 

[Bull]

I think $17 shipped for one of these things is pushing the limits. I bought mine for a dollar or fifty cents, and a couple folks on this site report selling them or passing them by for that amount or a little more. They're not particularly well-liked.

 

[shovel]

Hey Bull, one sold on ebay on Sept 12 for $24.57 + $6.90 s & h! Item # 370428952286
I used mine alot back in the late 70s, but since then it has been sitting. It is kinda ergonomic though. These were invented & built buy a guy in Kansas. Found his obit while looking for info about them.

 

[Bull]

Hey Bull, one sold on ebay on Sept 12 for $24.57 + $6.90 s & h! I used mine alot back in the late 70s, but since then it has been sitting. It is kinda ergonomic though.

I contacted my Asian friend, Ho Lee Chit about this, and he checked it out for me. It was actually $34.97 plus $6.90 S&H, so $41.87 for a used Screwball!

I'm really missing out, not selling my stuff on eBay.

 

[shovel]

I contacted my Asian friend, Ho Lee Chit about this, and he checked it out for me. It was actually $34.97 plus $6.90 S&H, so $41.87 for a used Screwball!

I'm really missing out, not selling my stuff on eBay.

Sorry about that, i get dysexlic sometimes!

 

[ImportTuner]

I contacted my Asian friend, Ho Lee Chit about this, and he checked it out for me. It was actually $34.97 plus $6.90 S&H, so $41.87 for a used Screwball!

I'm really missing out, not selling my stuff on eBay.

Funny .....

 

[djb2]

I just located the one I have around here.

It has three bits in the storage -- two slotted and a #3 Phillips, all marked 'USA' with a stylized 'VA' symbol.
Does anyone know if those were the original ones?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I just located the one I have around here.

It has three bits in the storage -- two slotted and a #3 Phillips, all marked 'USA' with a stylized 'VA' symbol.
Does anyone know if those were the original ones?

The VA stands for Vermont American. No idea if they are original, but very possibly VA was the bit supplier. I have an original Screwball in perfect condition (aside from wear/scratches from being in the toolbox drawer), as we never used it (but I guess I'm going to hang on to it). I'll look and see what kind of bits it has.

Charles

 

[Bull]

Several days ago, we had people reporting that they walk by these ugly pieces of **** at flea markets and garage sales. Now, we have news of one selling for over $40 shipped on eBay, and folks are going to start hoarding them. The miracle of the internet!

 

[djb2]

The VA stands for Vermont American. No idea if they are original, but very possibly VA was the bit supplier. I have an original Screwball in perfect condition (aside from wear/scratches from being in the toolbox drawer), as we never used it (but I guess I'm going to hang on to it). I'll look and see what kind of bits it has.

Charles

Of course! I knew that I had see that logo before, I just couldn't remember where. Thanks.

I did find the fourth bit -- a #2 insert bit, with quite a bit of wear. The other bits are almost unmarked.