Switch blade screwdriver....Lol

[Aspen RT]

So I was going through some old tools here at work, and I've seen this laying in the bottom of a file cabinet for years. I knew it was a "ratcheting" screwdriver, but I never messed with it.

Today I was bored and checked it out, super good shape. I can't find a manufacturer name on it . Took out the special locking bit, put it back in ,and then I turned that small collar..... Holy **** that baby shot out of there and scared the **** outta me .

It works really smooth in both directions. As far as I know there is only a flat blade bit for it. FYI it's 28" long. The original cordless screwdriver.

 

[BrandonV]

I actually keep one of those when I need to take off elevator panels. No joke.

I like to see if anyone at work gets the reference.

 

[cvairwerks]

Yankee driver...the older ones used bits like Xcellite used in their screw drivers...

 

[driftpin]

I have a couple I've had for decades, bought new. Before I got my first VSR reversible drill, they were frequently used. Yes, I always referred to them as 'Yankee screwdrivers.'

 

[d42jeep]

There is a thread on those where I have posted mine.

Spiral Ratchet Screwdrivers

Anyone collect these? I’m curious about their functionality. I stumble across these often and find myself impressed by the quality and craftsmanship

www.garagejournal.com

-Don.

 

[Michigan Mike]

When I started working as a framing carpenter in the late sixties. My boss who had spent some time framing in California claimed that the California Government required that the springs be removed for safety reasons. I have never heard this from any other source. Has anyone out there heard this story?

 

[Aspen RT]

When I started working as a framing carpenter in the late sixties. My boss who had spent some time framing in California claimed that the California Government required that the springs be removed for safety reasons. I have never heard this from any other source. Has anyone out there heard this story?

Haven't heard of it , but I can see why.

 

[AreBeeBee]

When I started working as a framing carpenter in the late sixties. My boss who had spent some time framing in California claimed that the California Government required that the springs be removed for safety reasons. I have never heard this from any other source. Has anyone out there heard this story?

Yes, I've seen comments that effect online, but I don't recall exactly where. My own collection has a total of 8 Yankee screwdrivers (some North originals and some post-Stanley acquisition). They are —

#30: one driver, built w/o spring
#30A: two drivers, had springs, both removed
#130A: one driver, has spring, works
#131A: one driver, had spring, removed
#35: one driver, built w/o spring
#135: one driver, has spring, works
#135A: one driver, has spring, works

So for what it's worth, its an even-steven list: three made with springs work and three others that came with springs have them removed. Two had no springs when they came from the factory. The history of any of these? Unknown.

I can understand why some owners, whether required by law or not, might remove the spring. All of mine (of any apparent age) that have working springs have a "brisk" deployment, and not one you'd want to be directly in front of at that moment.

I've given at least one of each type the Lee Valley adapter for 1/4" hex bits, and also have a small selection of original Yankee bits for each model. (Most of the bits are ordinary ones than Phillips, of course.)

Also, I have a couple of original drill bits for these drivers, plus the shop has three #41 Yankee push drills (one's former Bell System), useful for small around-the-house jobs.

 

[RTM]

When I started working as a framing carpenter in the late sixties. My boss who had spent some time framing in California claimed that the California Government required that the springs be removed for safety reasons. I have never heard this from any other source. Has anyone out there heard this story?

Nope, never heard it. All my Yankees came from estate or garage sales in Calif, and a high number still have springs, including some older ones.

Reference for the springs as Quick Return. First catalog where I found the 1xx series with springs.

North Bros. Mfg. Co. : 1912 Catalogue of Yankee Tools, Ice Cream Freezers, Etc. : North Brothers Manufacturing Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

124 p., illus., 23.3 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[RTM]

I actually keep one of those when I need to take off elevator panels. No joke.

Internet buddy of mine, while working as an apprentice, was using a spring loaded screwdriver tool to put on a custom made wooden elevator panel. He let the screwdriver tip slip out of the slot and scratched the $hit out of the panel. His boss was pissed, and explained why they came without springs.


RIP Ed

 

[Michigan Mike]

Thanks for the replies. I always thought it was possible but unlikely that California would have such a regulation. AreBeeBee's recollection of hearing about it in other places leaves the door open, But until more positive proof I am going to assume it is hearsay

 

[KnurledNut]

I have a small Yankee Handyman No. 133H with a Snap-On GM-104 pin retention socket adaptor.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

You wanna know what is really funny? (Actually not.) When you have an up to date version with lockable 1/4“ hex bit holder, know what it will jump out when released through the collar, do it on purpose - and then the tiny little black snap ring that holds the lockable bit holder together goes flying - and the bit holder disintegrates. The spring is strong in this one. … And then you spent almost an hour looking for all the parts and put it back together. Don’t ask me how I know. …







But these are great non the less. Love‘em.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[BrandonV]

Internet buddy of mine, while working as an apprentice, was using a spring loaded screwdriver tool to put on a custom made wooden elevator panel. He let the screwdriver tip slip out of the slot and scratched the $hit out of the panel. His boss was pissed, and explained why they came without springs.


RIP Ed

Wow. The elevators at my current job have this high polish brass finish and of course one of the service guys drove in a sheet metal screw too long into the panel.

Now there is this nice scratch eye level across the whole door.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Olli, what's the driver you are using with the bit adapter? Much of it looks like a Yankee model, but details are a little different.

(And yes, a hard & fast deployment can be a nuisance.)

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

It’s the German variant of the “Yankee” called a “Drillschrauber”. This particular model was produced up until 2016 or 2017 by German manufacturer Robert Schroeder for a rather small German store chain, specialized in keeping quality products of the past available, sometimes in a modernized variant like this one.

The locking bit holder is fixed to the shaft - so it only works with 1/4” hex bits, does not take bits with the typical half-moon shaft or others.

Robert Schroeder has since stopped producing hand tools like this. I think they were the last to actually make & offer these in Germany. It seems that Schroeder, I just looked up their website after many years, has taken down all information on hand tools they manufactured. The only hint left is a single sentence mentioning the “Drillschrauber”.

Back in the day they would be available through a variety of manufacturers, and not just in West Germany but also in the former GDR. They pop up on eBay quite regularly.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[AreBeeBee]

Thanks, Olli —

I have 8 of these things in various sizes, which is probably 5 to 7 more than I truly need. Although this IS Garage Journal — I think I'll rest content with those I have now.

Thanks again.

-----------

Edited to add: This afternoon, using a spring-loaded #30A I put a 1/4" bit into the Lee Valley adapter (similar to that above, I think) and turned the collar to release the Yankee's inner power. Aaaand it promptly flew out to full extension -- and shot the bit into a far corner of the shop. Arrrrgh!

Forewarned is fore-armed, so if you have a Lee Valley adapter AND it's in a spring-loaded Yankee driver AND it contains a standard 1/4" bit -- do not let the spring extend uncontrolled. Or you'll be down on hands and knees looking for a small bit of metal in the darkest and dustiest part of your shop.

 

[d42jeep]

I’m passing on more of these since the drawer is full.
-Don

 

[driftpin]

I don't recall since I've read this on two different sittings, but wouldn't the correct term for this thread be 'stiletto' instead of 'switchblade' screwdrivers?

 

[Farmer J.]

I don't recall since I've read this on two different sittings, but wouldn't the correct term for this thread be 'stiletto' instead of 'switchblade' screwdrivers?

I did wonder about this, being interested in nuances of language as well as old tools. As so often American English has subtle differences from English English..
-In American the word 'Stiletto' can mean the same as 'Switchblade', but not the other way around, so that doesn't really help in the context of this thread.
-As in this quote from Wikipedia, the word Switchblade can refer to a knife designed so as the long thin blade slides out from the handle:

'A switchblade is a pocketknife with a sliding or pivoting blade contained in the handle which is extended automatically by a spring when a button, lever, or switch on the handle or bolster is activated.'

So, my humble conclusion is that switchblade is most appropriate for this thread title..

The word Stiletto is a whole another rabbit hole to research down.. and they evolved from Misericordia, a long thin blade that was used to thrust between the plates of medieval body armour to relieve the suffering of the mortally wounded and 'put them out of their misery'. Misericord is also the name for those little bum-perch seats for the quire in Church, so as the singers can have some relief from standing so long..

How's that for 'thread drift'?

 

[Aspen RT]

I don't recall since I've read this on two different sittings, but wouldn't the correct term for this thread be 'stiletto' instead of 'switchblade' screwdrivers?

Yes ,I couldn't think of the correct term when I wrote it. Stiletto comes straight out and switch blade comes out from the side doesn't it ?