Spiral Ratchet Screwdrivers
- Thread starter SAA44-40
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
If you mean archimedean type ratcheting screwdrivers, in general, I see them almost every week at the fleas, but they are almost always either a North Brothers (who owned the original Furbish patent - 593,157, granted Nov 2, 1897) or a Stanley (which bought out North Brothers). I don't think I've ever seen a Craftsman. And I don't think I can name another brand I have seen with a gun to my head!
I don't collect them but they were an excellent tool prior to the cordless tools and they are still useful when your cordless tool batteries are dead, great for the junkyard tool box. You can get 1/4" bit and 1/4" drive socket adapters for them.
Green Lee, Ruger, Schroeder (German), Miller Falls, Goodell Pratt and I'm sure there are a few others.
Green Lee, Ruger, Schroeder (German), Miller Falls, Goodell Pratt and I'm sure there are a few others.
406Rich
Well-known member
I have a Yankee driver that was my dad`s...
rlitman
Well-known member
Ooh, that's a real nice one. It's pretty uncommon to see these small sized ones with a locking collar that lets you store them closed.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
So you'd be spared and I'd have a hole in my head.
After the brand name that the original maker, North Brothers', used.
I recall the generic name for these was always "yankees" in the day, no matter who made them.
Back in the 70s, we used to use them for pipe organ service work. If you had to crawl up into the organ chamber and remove the bottom of a pneumatic chest with its many recessed slotted screws, you'd have been there all day without those yankees. If we had cordless, we would have never used them. I hated them. Still do. I have a couple inherited from my Dad and still have mine from the pipe organ days. Never touch them other than to move them out of the way while looking for something else. They're just relics and mementos now. I guess they'd still be useful if you had nothing else and absolutely had to get a job done right then and there, but you could probably say the same about a mule-driven harness plow.
Back in the 70s, we used to use them for pipe organ service work. If you had to crawl up into the organ chamber and remove the bottom of a pneumatic chest with its many recessed slotted screws, you'd have been there all day without those yankees. If we had cordless, we would have never used them. I hated them. Still do. I have a couple inherited from my Dad and still have mine from the pipe organ days. Never touch them other than to move them out of the way while looking for something else. They're just relics and mementos now. I guess they'd still be useful if you had nothing else and absolutely had to get a job done right then and there, but you could probably say the same about a mule-driven harness plow.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Just in case there's any misunderstandings, I'm not disagreeing on the tool's colloquial name, regardless of the mfgr, which is the point that 406Rich and ecotec already made. By the same token, there is no question that the colloquial name was derived from the brand name that the North Brothers gave their original product, which was "YANKEE." A name Stanley inherited and wisely carried on when they bought out the North Brothers.
Dave455
Well-known member
I don’t collect these, but I do use them, and have acquired quite a few.
I have my Grandfathers three North Bros drivers. Beautiful tools, but he used these an awful lot so they’re fairly worn.
I have a couple of British made Stanley’s that belonged to my Dad, and a couple more I acquired myself, but as usual with Stanley, the quality detioriated over the years. Machined parts were replaced by crude castings, wooden handles became plastic, and so on.
These tools were also made by Spiralux, in the U.K. (and perhaps Guys as well), Facom in France, Schroeder in Germany, and Millers Falls in the U.S.A.
The picture shows two of my favourites - one by Facom (this takes 1/4 inch hex bits) and one by Millers Falls.
The Facom were about the best of the modern spiral ratchet screwdrivers, beautifully built with chromed components and acetate handles. After buying this one I attempted to buy the three models with the conventional bits too, but they had already been discontinued.
I picked up the Millers Falls in a used tool shop locally. As one might expect from Millers Falls, the quality is exceptional, rivalling even the original North Bros, and this is my absolute favourite of these tools. The parts are exceptionally machined, and the handle has the most beautiful red varnish, that has been applied to give a graduated tone. God knows how many coats of finish they must have applied! Sadly, I only have one bit for it!
I have my Grandfathers three North Bros drivers. Beautiful tools, but he used these an awful lot so they’re fairly worn.
I have a couple of British made Stanley’s that belonged to my Dad, and a couple more I acquired myself, but as usual with Stanley, the quality detioriated over the years. Machined parts were replaced by crude castings, wooden handles became plastic, and so on.
These tools were also made by Spiralux, in the U.K. (and perhaps Guys as well), Facom in France, Schroeder in Germany, and Millers Falls in the U.S.A.
The picture shows two of my favourites - one by Facom (this takes 1/4 inch hex bits) and one by Millers Falls.
The Facom were about the best of the modern spiral ratchet screwdrivers, beautifully built with chromed components and acetate handles. After buying this one I attempted to buy the three models with the conventional bits too, but they had already been discontinued.
I picked up the Millers Falls in a used tool shop locally. As one might expect from Millers Falls, the quality is exceptional, rivalling even the original North Bros, and this is my absolute favourite of these tools. The parts are exceptionally machined, and the handle has the most beautiful red varnish, that has been applied to give a graduated tone. God knows how many coats of finish they must have applied! Sadly, I only have one bit for it!
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I refinished a similarly-shaped wooden handle years ago, and realized that the graduated varnish tone results from portions of the handle having exposed end grain, which soaks up the finish like a sponge. You can observe this same effect when applying BLO.
BTW - I have lots of straight blade bits for that style/size spiral screwdriver; let me know if you want a couple of them. Not sure if I have many phillips.
d42jeep
Well-known member
Here are a couple that I have. I just picked them up because they were original North Bros in good shape. It's unlikely that I would ever use them.
-Don
-Don
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unknownroad
Well-known member
Don't know how well the acetate handle would hold up to usage and rattling around a toolbox, but that Facom is beautiful!
My dad had an all-metal Stanley around the garage for years, could have sworn it had a drill chuck on the end rather than a bit holder, though. Always thought it was a clever little piece of design.
bmwrd0
Well-known member
I kinda collect them and kinda use them, if you know what I mean. I will pick up nice or interesting variations of them, and I keep one in my long-term, back of truck toolset, as I don't want a battery with any of that stuff if I can help it. They take a bit of getting used to but get a 1/4 driver bit for one (I keep a few Apex bits in an Altoids tin) and they work great.
Regular bit adaptors are still available from Lee Valley
Oh, if you ever see one marked VAR, please let me know!
Regular bit adaptors are still available from Lee Valley
Oh, if you ever see one marked VAR, please let me know!
Dave455
Well-known member
That’s really kind of you notlob!
Sadly, I suspect that postage costs to the U.K. would negate the savings of your kind offer.
I’ll keep hunting here. A surprisingly large number of Millers Falls tools turn up, which always surprises me as there was so much domestic competition.
I’ll also have to measure the bits, as I’ve always assumed they were a different size to the Stanley, but never checked!
Dave455
Well-known member
The acetate handles (I think they are Cellulose Acetate to be precise) are really durable. Certainly much more durable than the painted wooden handles on the Stanley.
Having said that, I don’t let mine rattle around a toolbox!
woody 73
Well-known member
Furbish information if you are interested:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363525
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363525
Farmer J.
Well-known member
I've been using a big 'Spiralux' and a small 'Stanley Yankee' for years. They're smooth, quiet, and never need plugging in to re charge the batteries! I like the feel of using them as they're more controllable than cordless drill, you can tell if the screw thread is about to strip. Handy for wood screws in old window frames. I have a set of wood drill bits that fit in the Yankee, for making pilot holes for wood screws.
dutchgray
Well-known member
I have a small late production Stanley that I was given, don't think I have ever used it except to try it, Dad always had a pair, the biggest one Stanley did and a medium sized one, used daily until the mid 90's when he got his first cordless drill, Black and decker 12V professional, the stuff that the Dewalt cordless evolved from. I would have one of those Facom ones if I saw one for a good price.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
As I reported earlier in the 2018 Garage Sale thread, I picked up a peculiar spiral screwdriver this morning at the flea market with a manufacturer’s name that has hilarious implications.
View media item 83403
It has a crude, hexagonal, wooden handle, a brass shaft, and a steel shank with a cabinet tip. The peculiar part is that the shank is smooth, not spiraled.
View media item 83406
View media item 83407
On top of that, it only turns clockwise.
Which brings me to the brand name and the hilarious implications part.
The very fine, lightly etched marking, which is impossible to read with the naked eye, and worn with use, reads, “DECATUR COFFIN COMPANY / DECATUR ILL’S / PAT. OCT. 7, 1884”
View media item 83408
View media item 83409
This screwdriver only had to turn screws one way – in!
The holder of the patent (306,096), Christopher H. Olson, was a member of the board and one of the founders of the Decatur Coffin Company. The patent is rather ingenious, achieving the rotary motion on the shank by the action of a drive block moving through spirals cut into the inside of the shaft of the screwdriver. The patent diagram and text is worth checking out at the USPTO site, linked here.
The only other marking is for an “OIL” hole.
View media item 83405
View media item 83403
It has a crude, hexagonal, wooden handle, a brass shaft, and a steel shank with a cabinet tip. The peculiar part is that the shank is smooth, not spiraled.
View media item 83406
View media item 83407
On top of that, it only turns clockwise.
Which brings me to the brand name and the hilarious implications part.
The very fine, lightly etched marking, which is impossible to read with the naked eye, and worn with use, reads, “DECATUR COFFIN COMPANY / DECATUR ILL’S / PAT. OCT. 7, 1884”
View media item 83408
View media item 83409
This screwdriver only had to turn screws one way – in!
The holder of the patent (306,096), Christopher H. Olson, was a member of the board and one of the founders of the Decatur Coffin Company. The patent is rather ingenious, achieving the rotary motion on the shank by the action of a drive block moving through spirals cut into the inside of the shaft of the screwdriver. The patent diagram and text is worth checking out at the USPTO site, linked here.
The only other marking is for an “OIL” hole.
View media item 83405
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I’ve got to disagree with this estimation. These are an optimal tool for cabinetry. They can reach into deep narrow recesses that your hand cannot. The spiral action requires no twisting, no swingover, keeps a steady driving pressure on brass woodscrews, with immediate tactile feedback. Ratchets are not like that.
They do not wander or walk off the head or strip the threads like a battery driver can. If you’ve ever purchased a cabinet assembled by an ape armed with drywall screws and an impact driver, you know what I mean. I inhereted my grandfather’s Yankee, liked it so much, bought more. I think they are all Stanley. I also have Yankee ratcheting screwdrivers, some of which are North Bros. Don’t use any of these hard-to-find Phillips bits on drywall screws - those screws are hardened and will eat these up.
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Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I just picked up a North Bros. Yankee driver at an estate sale this afternoon, cost me a whole $1.00 Picture in the garage sale thread.
Picture in the garage sale thread.454cid
Well-known member
I grew up using a plated Yankee... probably a Stanley. It was the only drill I didn't need permission to use as a kid. Later, like maybe 10 years ago, I found one at a sale someplace and bought it. I have not used it, However. I don't think I have the full bit set in the handle. I also have a large Millers Falls.
rickhigginshtbr
Well-known member
I have a project for the kids later that, after reading this, will require the use of the couple that I have! I turned down one yesterday because the spring was broken. But after I showed the guy that they were literally made miles from him 60 years ago, I think I turned another guy into keeping some of Grandpa's tools and preserving them.
rickhigginshtbr
Well-known member
Wonder if he realized he only lived a few blocks from Disston St too. He didn’t have any of grandpas saws though unfortunately.
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Finally sorted out my picture files, and found a family pic of my Yankee drivers.
I bought a couple of adapters that allow one to use modern 1/4" hex bits in their vintage Yankees.
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=57809&cat=
But having the original bits has been a priority with me, so, I've accumulated enough of the different sizes to feed my drivers.
I bought a couple of adapters that allow one to use modern 1/4" hex bits in their vintage Yankees.
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=57809&cat=
But having the original bits has been a priority with me, so, I've accumulated enough of the different sizes to feed my drivers.
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I found an early North Brothers (go Phillies!) "YANKEE" No. 10 ratcheting screwdriver ("PAT. Nov 2, 1897" refers to Furbish's second patent, 593,157) at the flea market this morning. That spring-loaded screw holder is called THE CAMPBELL DRIVER, patented July 1, 1902. I haven't located that one yet, and I have never seen this screw holder before.
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
freudianfloyd
Well-known member
I bought one recently at TSC. Will probably never use it, but thought it was cool. I think it was Jobsmart brand.
ultgar
Well-known member
The Facom is still available. Country of origin is Germany on this one.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Maybe I'm just grumpy today, but I'm going to play threadmarm and leave a gentle reminder that this is the Vintage Discussion board. The place for contemporary tools is the General Discussion board.
JoCoSawdust
Well-known member
Nice example SAA. The captures are from the 69 catalog. Interesting that it's made in West Germany. I see "automatic return screwdrivers" in the catalog at least up to 77 but somewhere along the way they changed to plastic handles. I use one for removing and installing switch plate covers but that's about it.
ultgar
Well-known member
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
What was that folding arm for? Leverage?
wrenchguy
Well-known member
Just learnt of this thread, heres a craftsman yankee style driver with 3 flat tips stowed in the handle.
