Stanley USA Plastic Handled Screwdrivers 1932- Present

[Lesserstore]

Update: Bonney section added to Appendix A.

 

[Lesserstore]

Update: I have found plastic handled screwdrivers in the 1934 Stanley catalog, but I didn't see them at first because they are not listed in the main screwdriver section, but in the new tools section at the beginning of the catalog. They are a different style than the ones that I thought were the first, so I am calling them "First Generation Stanloids." For their approximate end date I used the Bonney catalogs because when the earliest catalog that's available lists Phillips they are in the later style.
I have also added Stanley Defiance to Part I.

 

[LesserSon]

I bought a No4 Bonney Phillips today, mostly because it has the 4-sided grip. The Phillips Lic.# is 7, observed on Bridgeport Hdw Mfg Co screwdrivers.
The Bonney stubby 1/4 clutch head driver has the typical Stanley 8-sides, alternately ribbed (on 4) handle of the 1940s(?), confirming to me a progression of all-ribbed, no ribbed, alternate ribbed, the details and sequence of which I have yet to understand.

 

[Luis Arturo]

Hi everyone,

These are my Stanley made in the USA



These two models do not appear in the interesting work of Lesserstore.

 

[Lesserstore]

The blue one looks sort of like a thrifty, but it has rings on the thumb rest like a Handyman or 100 Plus. It doesn't say Bell System on it does it?
The yellow ones I did come across while I was researching, but I couldn't find a catalog with them or one that was NOS that I could get a date off of the packaging. My best guess would be late 80s to mid 90s.

 

[Luis Arturo]

No, it doesn't say anything else ...

Greetings,

 

[Stuart in MN]

I started a discussion a few years ago about Stanley Workmaster and Professional screwdrivers from the 1970s and 1980s: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/stanley-workmaster-and-professional-screwdrivers.395499/

I need to update that thread - these are old pictures, but since then I've completed the collection of Workmasters and have added a few to the Professionals.

 

[CJH]

For the past several days I have been working on this history of Stanley USA plastic handled screwdrivers from the earliest catalog I can find that lists them, the 1934 catalog, all the way up to today. I was going to originally have wood handled screwdrivers too, but that would have just been too overwhelming, and the plastic handles were overwhelming enough. With all the different models Stanley made through the years, I'm sure I missed some, so I if you have one I missed post it up. Also, if anybody has a Stanley catalog from the 1960s-70s, and from 1990-2001, that you can send me pictures or scans of the screwdriver section, it would be much appreciated. I'd like to also give a shout-out to Stuart in MN for access to the 1977 and 1989 catalogs.

Part I: Mid Tier and Handyman Lines: https://docs.google.com/document/d/194Q_ZCWmcz8uDz1spR-dQnp31aqlYG5aRhayA4wXn2E/edit?usp=drivesdk
Also includes Defiance and Hercules.

Part II: Low End Screwdrivers: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OfcW-ZjjP-waMvd0nKAKpDwCdAaDens6vBE-Rfj-3UE/edit?usp=drivesdk
Includes Thrifty, triangular fluted, and quadlobular fluted drivers.

Part III: High End Screwdrivers:https://docs.google.com/document/d/161xGigSfGKoLBP6RhKN1lQ2dmPUv8H6D-iQ4quWiUvE/edit?usp=drivesdk
Includes Stanloid, Victor, Yankee, Cushion Core, 100 Plus, Workmaster, Professional, and vinyl grip (Jobmaster and Contractor Grade).

Appendix A: Contract Production:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q7iN1hFT20QUw5ZaneDcqZ4Jq2Sv6gWvV0koTRQAq5E/edit?usp=drivesdk
Includes Wizard, Powr Kraft, Bonney, John Deere, Penncraft, J.C. Penny, and Bell System.

Appendix B: Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mEgn49VdrvB2GJZs6arINKE2VGaCgayX_30AQzHUwH4/edit?usp=drivesdk

Hi, I’m new here. My husband was a very talented and artistic craftsman and he passed away. My sons and I were going through his old tools and I found this Stanley screwdriver with a plastic handle and I can’t find anything that looks like it at all anywhere. Can you give me a clue of what year this was made? It says: No. 1000 6IN.

 

[Username already in use]

@CJH looks like an early Stanloid driver. There’s a catalog image higher up on this page from 1934. I’d say it dates to the 30s or 40s.

 

[CJH]

Thanks so much Plumb. ( lol )
I looked at this catalog on the site( that’s how I found this site from 1934 to 38, and then I looked at the catalog from 1938 to 50. The shape of the neck was different on the ones from mid ‘30s, And the ones from the next group had the right shape for sure, but were black on the neck of the plastic which this is amber thruout.
I guess this is just a variation of an early Stanloid from around those times, that is just not shown in the catalog. I agree with your guesstimate!
And I just love this cool vintage screwdriver. It will stay in the family for sure.

 

[Lesserstore]

Thanks so much Plumb. ( lol )
I looked at this catalog on the site( that’s how I found this site from 1934 to 38, and then I looked at the catalog from 1938 to 50. The shape of the neck was different on the ones from mid ‘30s, And the ones from the next group had the right shape for sure, but were black on the neck of the plastic which this is amber thruout.
I guess this is just a variation of an early Stanloid from around those times, that is just not shown in the catalog. I agree with your guesstimate!
And I just love this cool vintage screwdriver. It will stay in the family for sure.

The paint on it has probably just worn off over the years. I have a 1954-58 Stanley Handyman which should have a red thumbrest but has worn off except on the end of the handle.
It's a nice driver, I would suggest cleaning the rust off the blade and addressing the tip if needed and it'll give another lifetime or two of service.

 

[Lesserstore]

Update 5/26/22: I've added several additional screwdrivers to all parts and added another appendix for unknown screwdrivers. Also, since additional Stanley catalogs are now available on the International Tool Catalog Library, I have corrected some dates mainly in the Handyman line and the Thrifty drivers.

 

[Luke123656]

For the past several days I have been working on this history of Stanley USA plastic handled screwdrivers from the earliest catalog I can find that lists them, the 1934 catalog, all the way up to today. I was going to originally have wood handled screwdrivers too, but that would have just been too overwhelming, and the plastic handles were overwhelming enough. With all the different models Stanley made through the years, I'm sure I missed some, so I if you have one I missed post it up. Also, if anybody has a Stanley catalog from the 1960s-70s, and from 1990-2001, that you can send me pictures or scans of the screwdriver section, it would be much appreciated. I'd like to also give a shout-out to Stuart in MN for access to the 1977 and 1989 catalogs.

Part I: Mid Tier and Handyman Lines: https://docs.google.com/document/d/194Q_ZCWmcz8uDz1spR-dQnp31aqlYG5aRhayA4wXn2E/edit?usp=drivesdk
Also includes Defiance and Hercules.

Part II: Low End Screwdrivers: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OfcW-ZjjP-waMvd0nKAKpDwCdAaDens6vBE-Rfj-3UE/edit?usp=drivesdk
Includes Thrifty, triangular fluted, and quadlobular fluted drivers.

Part III: High End Screwdrivers:https://docs.google.com/document/d/161xGigSfGKoLBP6RhKN1lQ2dmPUv8H6D-iQ4quWiUvE/edit?usp=drivesdk
Includes Stanloid, Victor, Yankee, Cushion Core, 100 Plus, Workmaster, Professional, and vinyl grip (Jobmaster and Contractor Grade).

Appendix A: Contract Production:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q7iN1hFT20QUw5ZaneDcqZ4Jq2Sv6gWvV0koTRQAq5E/edit?usp=drivesdk
Includes Wizard, Powr Kraft, Bonney, John Deere, Penncraft, J.C. Penny, and Bell System.

Appendix B: Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mEgn49VdrvB2GJZs6arINKE2VGaCgayX_30AQzHUwH4/edit?usp=drivesdk

Appendix C: Unknown Screwdrivers:

Stanley USA Plastic Handled Screwdrivers Appendix C

Stanley USA Plastic Handled Screwdrivers 1932- Present Appendix C: Unknown Screwdrivers 1999 Torx Screwdriver I came across this screwdriver on ebay as well in April 2022. It has a copyright date of 1999, but it doesn't appear in the 1998 or 2003 catalog, so sometime between 1999-2002 is when t...

docs.google.com

just came by this thread , I'm from the UK and i may be missing something but i couldn't see if you had this Stanley 5000 series anywhere , they're some of my favorite drivers and it seems any tradesman used to have them here

 

[Dave455]

just came by this thread , I'm from the UK and i may be missing something but i couldn't see if you had this Stanley 5000 series anywhere , they're some of my favorite drivers and it seems any tradesman used to have them here

The Stanley “5000” series were designed in the U.K. and made by Stanley in Sheffield, speciifically for the U.K. market. They were never, to my knowledge, made or sold in the U.S.

Originally, the British made Stanley screwdrivers were identical to their U.S. counterparts, but starting with (I think) the 60 Series (fluted acetate handles with red panels) they started making patterns exclusively for the U.K. This may have been because of the U.K.’s adoption of Pozidriv screws, the tools for which needed differentiating from Phillips (in the case of the 60 series, by blue handles).

The 5000 series were the first design that was completely unique to the U.K. and was designed to work equally well for woodworkers or mechanics, which they seemed to. I used them as my primary drivers for over a decade, and still use them from time to time.

The Pozidriv blades are made of a better quality steel than the Phillips or slotted, and are unplated. I always assumed this was to meet licensing requirements for the “Pozidriv” name.

 

[d42jeep]

In 2019 I found this partial British car toolset with Stanley screwdrivers and other tools made in the UK at a garage sale. Apparently it was desirable because it sold quickly on eBay.
-Don

 

[Lesserstore]

just came by this thread , I'm from the UK and i may be missing something but i couldn't see if you had this Stanley 5000 series anywhere , they're some of my favorite drivers and it seems any tradesman used to have them here

Sorry, but I'm only focusing on US made screwdrivers for this study.

Update:
Part I: added more info on Hercules screwdrivers.
Part II: added Spiro-Grip drivers.
Part III: added more info on Gen 1 Stanloids, added Victor Gen 1, and added 1987 transitional screwdrivers.

 

[Luke123656]

The Stanley “5000” series were designed in the U.K. and made by Stanley in Sheffield, speciifically for the U.K. market. They were never, to my knowledge, made or sold in the U.S.

Originally, the British made Stanley screwdrivers were identical to their U.S. counterparts, but starting with (I think) the 60 Series (fluted acetate handles with red panels) they started making patterns exclusively for the U.K. This may have been because of the U.K.’s adoption of Pozidriv screws, the tools for which needed differentiating from Phillips (in the case of the 60 series, by blue handles).

The 5000 series were the first design that was completely unique to the U.K. and was designed to work equally well for woodworkers or mechanics, which they seemed to. I used them as my primary drivers for over a decade, and still use them from time to time.

The Pozidriv blades are made of a better quality steel than the Phillips or slotted, and are unplated. I always assumed this was to meet licensing requirements for the “Pozidriv” name.

Damn that's interesting , thanks very much for the reply. I had one from my dad who only seemed to own a single one but he'd had it for about 40 years and using it i always thought it was one of the nicest drivers to get good torque with it being oval , so i recently started going to carboot sales and have got about 20 of them now

 

[LesserSon]

Updated family portraits of my growing Handyman collection.

 

[d42jeep]

I found several Stanley screwdrivers at an estate sale yesterday. The wood handled Hurwood appears to be slightly bent.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I keep finding Stanley screwdrivers at sales. I gathered most of them together for some family portraits.
-Don

 

[Etchase]

I really like Stanley stuff. They look and feel like a screwdriver to me. Those ball head Vessels are starting to look like a screwdriver to me. Wera, not so much.

 

[Lesserstore]

Update: It's now going to be 1932 to present because I found a plastic handle (the "Lastex") in the 1932 catalog that was recently uploaded to ITCL.

 

[Ayrhead]

Here is my Stanley 633H Screwdriver. It’s missing a couple of the bits. This one only has a slot and a #2 Robertson. I also found it interesting that you can speed reverse as well as forwards with the ratcheting option. I’ve seen the Stanley/Yankee screwdriver b4 but not just the Stanley brand.

 

[Littlebuddy]

Im hoping this thread could be the break I've been looking for !.
Im searching for a possible Stanley late 30's early 40's screwdriver with a blade tip width of .100 .
Could this be one if the small Stanley plastic handled examples?
Carl

 

[Lesserstore]

Im hoping this thread could be the break I've been looking for !.
Im searching for a possible Stanley late 30's early 40's screwdriver with a blade tip width of .100 .
Could this be one if the small Stanley plastic handled examples?
Carl

Picture?

 

[Littlebuddy]

Picture?

That's the thing ! I dont know exactly what I should be looking for.
All that is given is a description , and im clutching at straws as to what im looking for .

 

[d42jeep]

I would imagine that you are looking for one of these, maybe a 555E. Are you doing a Signal Corps project?
A little wider and older than these.
-Don

 

[Littlebuddy]

I would imagine that you are looking for one of these, maybe a 555E. Are you doing a Signal Corps project?
A little wider and older than these.
-Don

That's what I was originally thinking Don , but Starett didnt have a contract with the USAAF ( as far as im aware according to the contracts list).

 

[Littlebuddy]

I think this is what im looking for !
Any help please on it , maker or if someone has a spare to sell ?

 

[d42jeep]

If you are looking for a WW2 Yankee screwdriver, it won’t be marked Stanley since they didn’t buy North Bros until 1946.
-Don

 

[Littlebuddy]

I.think what im looking for /needed is a parallel bladed screwdriver with a blade tip width of about 3/32nd ( 2.5mm) .
Unfortunately the North Bros or Stanley catalogs of the era do not give blade tip widths

 

[d42jeep]

If I were looking for one, I would contact the eBay seller of this North Bros screwdriver and ask him or her to measure the width of the blade.

Pardon Our Interruption...

-Don

 

[Littlebuddy]

If I were looking for one, I would contact the eBay seller of this North Bros screwdriver and ask him or her to measure the width of the blade.

Pardon Our Interruption...

-Don

Many thanks Don , I had actually got this one on my watch list