Stanley... the good old days....

[eschoendorff]

Found this hanging in my garage. Just like the old Proto tri-lobes! This was back before Stanley sold out.... c. 1986

 

[ImportTuner]

You buy tools and not open them for over 20 years ..

 

[eschoendorff]

You buy tools and not open them for over 20 years ..

Nope. I buy tools that haven't been opened in 20 years. There is a difference... NOS. I bought this about a year ago and forgot I had it. I have enough screwdrivers in my functional arsenal... I think I'll keep this one for posterity.


Oh, and I just wanted everyone to see what a USA-made Stanley tool looks like (I know, I know... )

 

[old salvage]

Boron steel. Definitely 80's.
Are you gonna finally open it or leave it forever sealed like a 1st generation starwars action figure ?
(I'd open it but save the package)

 

[eschoendorff]

Boron steel. Definitely 80's.
Are you gonna finally open it or leave it forever sealed like a 1st generation starwars action figure ?
(I'd open it but save the package)

As I said before, I have enough functional screwdrivers. I would reach for others first anyway. I think I'm gonna keep it in the package and let it hang in the garage to remind me of the good old days....


Unless someone makes me an offer I cannot refuse

 

[64merc]

Well, the picture is blocked, but I also buy all the old Stanley USA screwdrivers that I run in to. I can't help myself, plus they are always really cheap.

 

[geaugafletcher]

Without packaging, what are the tip-offs (besides the usual sort of common sense "This looks like good stuff"?)

 

[eschoendorff]

Well, the picture is blocked, but I also buy all the old Stanley USA screwdrivers that I run in to. I can't help myself, plus they are always really cheap.

Pic is blocked????

 

[eschoendorff]

Without packaging, what are the tip-offs (besides the usual sort of common sense "This looks like good stuff"?)

whaddya mean?

 

[G1K]

Probably his company blocks the IP of the site used to host the pictue, in this case photobucket.

R

**Edit, I assume the OP is viewing at lunch break.

 

[DaytonFan]

nice!!

 

[geaugafletcher]

I mean, are there any quick, sure ways to tell if it's an old USA made Stanley?

BESIDES the obvious stuff... Are there any certain design characteristics, etc.?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Unless someone makes me an offer I cannot refuse

I want it. How much?

 

[eschoendorff]

I mean, are there any quick, sure ways to tell if it's an old USA made Stanley?

BESIDES the obvious stuff... Are there any certain design characteristics, etc.?

yes... it says "Stanley USA" on it.

 

[64merc]

Wow, that is a nice old screwdriver. You're right, if it didn't say Stanley on it I would have guessed it was a Proto. I'll bet their professional series was basically the same stuff.

 

[crankshaftdan II]

Six years old thread and still good ones are found out in the rough--I find them in good condition and keep buying them when found-what a disease!! Must have at least two dozen in the tool box!! Like oreo cookies for grown-ups!!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Six years old thread and still good ones are found out in the rough--

Yeah, back from the dead thread. I think back in the day, just about every DIYer had atleast one Stanley tool in the box or hanging on the pegboard.

 

[jim1987]

That's because it is the proto tri lobe. Lol. Blackhawk, proto, and Stanley USA drivers were all the same back then.

 

[BFHtime]

The black clear Stanley's are some of my favorite. I think the instinct design was based off of it.

 

[espyking83]

Stanley used to make some quality stuff, their old US screwdrivers were great.

 

[dutchgray]

The old Stanley England stuff was good as well, I still pick up 5000 series screwdrivers in good condition when I see them.

 

[Mavawreck]

Old Stanley screwdrivers were great. I'm partial to old Stanley wood planes as well.I know there are better makers out there, but I feel like they were an industry standard.

 

[bobemmerich]

not screwdrivers, but I have a couple old Stanley socket sets complete minus 1-10mm...They're good stuff..I'm a sucker for them, when I see them I gotta get 'em

 

[Cope]

The SK is filling in for the Stanley that was stolen by the guy I bought my house from. The original owner of the Handyman had ground the tip down to R&R the plastic screws that were used for several years on receptacle covers.

I have several old Stanley planes and scrapers, but this isn't a woodworking forum.



Bought these around 1987.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I got a full set of those black and yellow handled screwdrivers for Christmas back in the early 1970s, but unfortunately lost them in a burglary some years ago. I've since found a couple replacements at swap meets but am still looking for more to complete the set. They show up on eBay from time to time, but the newer yellow handled ones are easier to find.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have a full set of black and orange Handyman drivers (my dad's), some yellow-clear and red Handyman drivers from my childhood, and various 100 Plus and Workmaster black and yellow drivers. I should dig them out and take a pic!

 

[KnurledNut]

There is a hardware store in a neighboring town that still has NOS Stanley combo wrench sets from this era. SAE and Metric. They look like they have been there forever.

 

[Carves]

Stanley used to make some quality stuff, their old US screwdrivers were great.

The old Stanley England stuff was good as well, I still pick up 5000 series screwdrivers in good condition when I see them.

... as were the old Stanley Australia ones.

Not any more tho ... The new ones may look the same ....

https://db1736767dbd5e7094bb-d61bbc...x800/2446b6ce-b64d-4b2e-8ab5-495092aaaecf.jpg

... but the shafts and tips have now got all the structural integrity of a wet noodle ..


On a side note ...

Anybody got any production dates for old, USA made, wood handle Stanley screwdrivers ??

Handle is similiar shape to the 100plus series with a tin/chromed, ferrule.
.

 

[Kev442]

Stanley is a brand that I have never paid any attention to due to all the levels of quality from the 70's onward. My Dad bought some Stanley screwdrivers when I was a kid that were utter trash. It was25 years until I found out he had bought the lowest level of noodle metal at the local big box and that Stanley had about 5 levels of quality. If they had never whored themselves out with $3.99 screwdriver sets, they might have kept some more customers.

 

[Short Round]

Yep, I used to buy Stanley tools as a teenager. They were ok then.

About 7-8 years ago I was gifted a set of screwdrivers for Christmas. Great I thought, I leave my Craftsman ones in the garage tools and have a set in the house. In just a couple uses I broke the tip off one of the flat screwdrivers when there was no torque issue or pounding. Pot metal garbage now. The broken screwdriver sat in the junk drawer for years until I grabbed and dremmeled a hook in it to pull on springs with.