Stanley Workmaster and Professional screwdrivers

[Stuart in MN]

Back in 1974 I got a set of Stanley Workmaster screwdrivers for Christmas. I always really liked them, they had a nice triangular handle that fit my hand well and allowed for a lot of torque, and the shanks were high quality steel. Unfortunately, in the mid 1980s some lowlife stole my toolbox and I lost them along with all my other tools. I still get angry about that.

Anyway, in recent years I've been buying them when and where I can find them - swap meets, flea markets, online, etc. I'm now trying to do some research on them. The Workmaster screwdrivers were introduced in about 1969 (I've found a news release from Popular Mechanics that year announcing their production) and were made through the 1970s. As mentioned, they had a triangular handle that was made of smoked plastic, with a yellow stripe at the front edge of the handle.

At some point in the 1980s they were replaced by what Stanley called Professional screwdrivers. These had clear yellow handles but were otherwise identical in construction.

I've also found a few that had a combination clear yellow and smoked handle, I don't know where these fit in to the story but suspect they were a transitional tool between the Workmaster and Professional lines.

I've found some other interesting variants - most of them have a part number stamped on the handle (66-*** for flat blade and 65-*** for Phillips) but some don't; the logo is sometimes just Stanley, and other times Stanley with a border around the name; and then there are these two multi-bit Professional screwdrivers with the same part number but of different construction, and a Workmaster multi-bit that is totally different with a non-removable shank and the tips are stored in the handle:

I've also seen a ratcheting multi-bit screwdriver that is unlike the three shown above, and I think they had some nutdrivers as well.

Outside of the Popular Mechanics news release mentioned above, all I've been able to find online so far are copies of a few magazine ads and they don't provide a whole lot of information. What I'd really like to find are Stanley tool catalogs from the 1970s and 1980s that list the two respective lines, so I can figure out just how many different types of screwdrivers were offered. So, if anyone has Stanley catalogs from those eras let me know.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Here's the news release from the June 1969 issue of Popular Mechanics.

Here's an ad from the September 1977 issue of Popular Mechanics.

 

[spike99250]

I love those Workmasters, nearly indestructible. I can never find any phillips head ones though.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I see these around from time to time ,mostly at pawnshops.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I found this in a 1986 issue of the McMaster-Carr catalog. The brand isn't mentioned but judging by the illustration they're obviously Stanley Workmaster screwdrivers. The part numbers are McMaster-Carr, they don't have any relation to the Stanley part numbers stamped on the handles.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I got my hands on a couple Stanley Tools catalogs, one from 1977 and one from 1989. The 1977 catalog has a list of Workmaster screwdrivers, the 1989 catalog has a list of Professional screwdrivers.

 

[WZRoberts]

Stuart, I'm amazed by your ability to find this stuff!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Thanks. I'm not nearly the researcher some of the other guys here are on vintage tools, but it's been fun digging up information.

 

[4xdog]

I remember when those came out! I was just about to enter my teens, and bought one of them with my lawn mowing money, a medium-sized cabinet driver. It was one of the first screwdrivers to have an ergonomic edge as the main selling point, just as the ad in Stuart's post #2 shows.

Used it for years, and it may still be in the rack at my folks old house, which I'm slowly clearing out. I'll have to check next time...

 

[Stuart in MN]

Here's my collection as of today including the latest finds, a ratcheting driver and a #3 phillips.

This completes the set of all phillips drivers that were available in the Professional line. The #2 is a used one in pretty good condition, the other three are all new old stock. For some reason they don't look that way, but the handles on the #1 and the #2 in the middle are the same size.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've accumulated a few more screwdrivers for my collection since my last post. I have more of them than is shown below, but the others are all duplicates of one type or another.

In the Workmaster line, I’m only missing the #3 Phillips and the #1 Phillips stubby.

I haven’t has as much luck with the Professional line. I’m still missing the 8” and 6" square blade / standard tips, the 4" standard blade and tip, and the 8” and 6" light blade / cabinet tips. EDIT: I misspoke earlier, I'm missing the 8" standard blade and tip driver, not the 4" one.

So, if anyone has any of the ones I'm missing, let me know.

Note that when Stanley switched from the Workmaster line to the Professional line, for some reason they discontinued the 3” standard blade and tip, and the #1 Phillips stubby.

 

[terrapinwheeler]

These are still my all time favorite screwdriver handles. Wish they would bring them back.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Update, thanks to member Lesserstore in this this discussion: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/help-id-stanley-ratchet-driver-please.482149/ A couple pages from the 1985 Stanley catalog, showing the Workmaster ratcheting screwdriver.

 

[Lesserstore]

Thanks for the shout-out. I'm currently working on a history of Stanley USA plastic handled screwdrivers from c.1940 onward, the parts being sorted by price category, and the part I'm working on now is for the mid tier class such as Victor and Handyman.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Thanks for the shout-out. I'm currently working on a history of Stanley USA plastic handled screwdrivers from c.1940 onward, the parts being sorted by price category, and the part I'm working on now is for the mid tier class such as Victor and Handyman.

As mentioned above I have Stanley catalogs from 1977 and 1989, if you need any information for those years.

 

[Christoquix]

Wow! What a nice write! Thanks for sharing. Really sorry that you got robbed all those years ago and still are angry about that.
You will find this video interesting:

Hope you find your missing one to complete your set!
Now I also want some of these.
I am an Industrial designer, and I am wondering why… If these handles were so perfect, did Stanley discontinued them? C

Back in 1974 I got a set of Stanley Workmaster screwdrivers for Christmas. I always really liked them, they had a nice triangular handle that fit my hand well and allowed for a lot of torque, and the shanks were high quality steel. Unfortunately, in the mid 1980s some lowlife stole my toolbox and I lost them along with all my other tools. I still get angry about that.

Anyway, in recent years I've been buying them when and where I can find them - swap meets, flea markets, online, etc. I'm now trying to do some research on them. The Workmaster screwdrivers were introduced in about 1969 (I've found a news release from Popular Mechanics that year announcing their production) and were made through the 1970s. As mentioned, they had a triangular handle that was made of smoked plastic, with a yellow stripe at the front edge of the handle.

At some point in the 1980s they were replaced by what Stanley called Professional screwdrivers. These had clear yellow handles but were otherwise identical in construction.

I've also found a few that had a combination clear yellow and smoked handle, I don't know where these fit in to the story but suspect they were a transitional tool between the Workmaster and Professional lines.

I've found some other interesting variants - most of them have a part number stamped on the handle (66-*** for flat blade and 65-*** for Phillips) but some don't; the logo is sometimes just Stanley, and other times Stanley with a border around the name; and then there are these two multi-bit Professional screwdrivers with the same part number but of different construction, and a Workmaster multi-bit that is totally different with a non-removable shank and the tips are stored in the handle:

I've also seen a ratcheting multi-bit screwdriver that is unlike the three shown above, and I think they had some nutdrivers as well.

Outside of the Popular Mechanics news release mentioned above, all I've been able to find online so far are copies of a few magazine ads and they don't provide a whole lot of information. What I'd really like to find are Stanley tool catalogs from the 1970s and 1980s that list the two respective lines, so I can figure out just how many different types of screwdrivers were offered. So, if anyone has Stanley catalogs from those eras let me know.

 

[throwaway723]

Hi all. I'm trying to figure out if the Stanley Workmaster 68-750 ratcheting screwdriver shown in this thread comes apart for maintenance. The nubs on my black plastic switch have worn down so they don't click into place and the switch slides around a bit too easily. I have a metal switch from another Yankee ratcheting screwdriver that I'd like to use in its place if it'll fit correctly. It looks like it might. But I can't figure out how to open the 68-750. I found a site that used to sell a repair kit for this screwdriver and it claims to have included the "shifter" which I imagine is the switch I'm talking about. So since a repair kit supposedly existed for this screwdriver, it must come apart somehow for maintenance. I just don't see how. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Lesserstore]

Hi all. I'm trying to figure out if the Stanley Workmaster 68-750 ratcheting screwdriver shown in this thread comes apart for maintenance. The nubs on my black plastic switch have worn down so they don't click into place and the switch slides around a bit too easily. I have a metal switch from another Yankee ratcheting screwdriver that I'd like to use in its place if it'll fit correctly. It looks like it might. But I can't figure out how to open the 68-750. I found a site that used to sell a repair kit for this screwdriver and it claims to have included the "shifter" which I imagine is the switch I'm talking about. So since a repair kit supposedly existed for this screwdriver, it must come apart somehow for maintenance. I just don't see how. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I think its just press fit in there judging by the patent drawing, and my guess would be to lightly tap the bushing slots. But I could be wrong so be careful.
Here's a link to the patent:

US4621718A - Ratchet screwdriver - Google Patents

A rotary hand tool of the ratchet type and method for assembling same comprises an elongated wide mouth ratchet housing provided with a shaft rotatably mounted therein having a ratchet mechanism operatively associated therewith and a bushing coaxially mounted on the shaft, which bushing...

patents.google.com

 

[d42jeep]

Here are the two that I have.
-Don

 

[throwaway723]

I think its just press fit in there judging by the patent drawing, and my guess would be to lightly tap the bushing slots. But I could be wrong so be careful.
Here's a link to the patent:

US4621718A - Ratchet screwdriver - Google Patents

A rotary hand tool of the ratchet type and method for assembling same comprises an elongated wide mouth ratchet housing provided with a shaft rotatably mounted therein having a ratchet mechanism operatively associated therewith and a bushing coaxially mounted on the shaft, which bushing...

patents.google.com

Thank you for the patent document. I skimmed over it, looking for mention of the bushing. They're referring to the round black disc at the top of the ratchet as the bushing, but I'm curious what you're referring to as the bushing slots.

 

[Lesserstore]

Thank you for the patent document. I skimmed over it, looking for mention of the bushing. They're referring to the round black disc at the top of the ratchet as the bushing, but I'm curious what you're referring to as the bushing slots.

I was talking about these:

But like I said be careful because I could be entirely wrong.

 

[throwaway723]

Ah, I see what you mean. Yeah, I tried pushing that in pretty hard with a tool and it didn't budge at all. Very hard to move, if it's even supposed to move. It's metal, by the way - I don't know if it's connected to the plastic bushing. But I appreciate the idea. Sorry to have hijacked this thread. But if anyone else has ideas or knowledge about this, please do let me know one way or another. Thank you.

 

[d42jeep]

I found a couple more at an estate sale yesterday. I had to remove some red paint from the top one.
-Don

 

[MarkH]

These Stanleys were among the best screwdrivers we have purchased. I felt when they quit making the Workmaster it was because it was lasting too long. I bought everyone our farm supply had that day. They survived our abuse and did not stink in our climate. Even called professional the replacements did not seem to survive as well.

Years later I still have a number of them in the tool boxes.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I hadn't noticed this discussion had been revived. I need to post an updated picture of my collection, since I last posted I completed my set of Workmasters and have added a few more to the Professional line.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Wow! What a nice write! Thanks for sharing. Really sorry that you got robbed all those years ago and still are angry about that.
You will find this video interesting:

I saw Adam Savage's video and sent an email offering to send him some of my extras, but never got a reply.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I saw Adam Savage's video and sent an email offering to send him some of my extras, but never got a reply.

He posted another video.. he got swamped with screwdrivers.

 

[Richard_Wheatley]

Does anybody know which tool boxes were being made by stanley during the same time period the workmaster screwdrivers were being produced?

 

[ejot]

Just picked these up at auction for a couple bucks total, the PH#1 is particularly clean. They caught my eye because I'd seen the Adam Savage video. Nice drivers.

 

[Richard_Wheatley]

A checklist I created on Microsoft Word.

 

[Richard_Wheatley]

I found a workmaster not mentioned yet in this thread. Thoughts? Could be a home made mod? But I can't find the model number either.

 

[piehammer]

I found a workmaster not mentioned yet in this thread. Thoughts? Could be a home made mod? But I can't find the model number either.

Stanley 66-201

 

[4xdog]

Here's the one I bought new back in the day. As a young teen in the first half of the 1970s, this was my "good" screwdriver.




The chrome plating on the tip has been chipped for a long time.

 

[Minions]

Just found a 1987 copyright variant set. Its not complete but up on ebay.

Stanley NOS Workmaster Style Screwdrivers with Box - Made in USA | eBay

Six screwdrivers, all in excellent condition. None appear to have been used. High Strength Boron Steel Bars. Made in USA.

www.ebay.com

 

[piehammer]

Just found a 1987 copyright variant set. Its not complete but up on ebay.

Stanley NOS Workmaster Style Screwdrivers with Box - Made in USA | eBay

Six screwdrivers, all in excellent condition. None appear to have been used. High Strength Boron Steel Bars. Made in USA.

www.ebay.com

Lol... that's my listing.

 

[Minions]

Lol... that's my listing.

Hah, I figured it was probably someone here. I wish it was complete though. I've been picking up the Professional variants from the 90's~ with teal/black/red colors. Feels like philips screwdrivers are less common than flat. Also the set you posted only has 2 philips in the entire complete set. Kinda crazy that set originally included 8 flat heads.

 

[piehammer]

I was just looking at the Canadian Stanley Robertson driver sets on eBay, that looks like what you have there.

 

[Minions]

I was just looking at the Canadian Stanley Robertson driver sets on eBay, that looks like what you have there.

Yeah they are great too. When my grandad retired from woodworking he left me with like 10,000 different square head screws. I think they are from McFeelys? I need to track down a tiny set, since some of the heads are so small no normal screwdriver stands a chance. I only use philips when taking things apart/putting back together, or when someone is installed outdoor. For that stuff I use star decking screws. Any wood projects all go square head until the day I die hah. Funny enough the square drive Stanley professional ones I have are still made in USA.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Wow, quite a few new to me variants in the last few posts. And here I thought I had most of them already collected. I need to post some new pictures of what I have so far, I've picked up quite a few duplicates in some styles and sizes.

 

[Minions]

Wow, quite a few new to me variants in the last few posts. And here I thought I had most of them already collected. I need to post some new pictures of what I have so far, I've picked up quite a few duplicates in some styles and sizes.

Date on my Red/Green/Black square drives is 1995.

And just to mess with your brain, there are versions from later in same handle but different forms. For example the neon green one also attached: