Tips & tricks 101 Xcelite Screwdrivers.

[woody 73]

This is No. 12 in the screwdriver series and it would not be complete without talking about the Xcelite line of screwdrivers. Anyone working in the electronic field in the early 1960's & 1970's would have had a suitcase type kit of these great screwdrivers for doing electronic repair.

Speaking of that time period from the 1960's & 1970's that was their golden period when they produced some of the best screwdrivers; just in case you were thinking how can I tell if I got the right ones from that time period, well one good smell and they will remind you of that craftsman stinky smell...

Before I tell you they are best used for electronic work, someone is sure to say "but Woody I use them on my car, my tractor, and working outside of the space shuttle, fair enough but I prefer not to use them that way.

A few pictures and a link to look at, Happy Hunting.

https://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data Sheets/Cooper Tool All Brands PDFs/Xcelite Catalog.pdf

 

[nutjob]

Yep, had the yellow handle with a bunch of different shafts. This was the 80's when I worked as a field tech for 3M. I still have some of the nut driver shafts in the odd ball sizes that the Sears nut drivers don't have.

My go to phillps screwdrivers are the black handle Xcelite's.

Kevin

 

[HanShotFirst]

Got a set I used when I did electronics repair. They were handy, and non-magnet for sensitive equipment.

 

[bcexplorer]

Cool stuff, I am really enjoying these.

Id love to find one of the old technicians cases.

 

[turbowoodworker]

BC, if you like the tech cases, here is an old thread for you. Enjoy.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204887

 

[why worry]

My dad worked at Tektronix and had the excelite nut drivers, screw drivers and pliers around when growing up. Some of the best tools for fine work ever made. He raised me with the philosophy of get good tools from a local source and warranty. That way when there is an issue you can go to them for service. Now with the internet and Amazon good tools are just a click away! LOL

 

[bcexplorer]

BC, if you like the tech cases, here is an old thread for you. Enjoy.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204887

That post is where I first learned about them! Thanks for the link.

 

[6PTsocket]

The Xelite handles were made of cellulose acetate butyrate or CAB. It was chosen because it is tough and resistant to many chemicals but it oxidizes giving off that smell, often described as vomit, BO or worse. When it gets very bad, the handles are covered with a white coating, often mistaken for mold. They can be wiped down ir washed but it comes back. I have the nut drivers in many transparent colors plus one in opaque orange and the black handle screw drivers. There are other drivers with good blades or sockets that do not stink or chalk up so I have no reason be greatly attached to them. I have quite a few and the problem never quite reached the point of spending the money to replace them but was a close call. This has been discussed many times and most people got rid of them. I have had them a long time. I am a tool user, not a collector so I put up with the annoyance. I thought that they might be dipped or sprayed with something clear to isolate the handles from the air but did not want to risk ruining them and nobody ever came back and said they had success using a particular coating. I was tempted to try moisture curing urethane. They dip fishing lures in it for a tough clear coating.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Odes]

I find most of the xcelite screwdrivers I find are pretty worn it I have found a mini nut driver set

 

[markhm]

I have a full set of all of them but my favorites are the mini-sets (Like the nutdriver photo Odes posted) and they also had a mini-set of screwdrivers. Sears even offered these mini-sets as Craftsman for a year or two and I've got those as well. I've also got a ratcheting handle from Vaco that fits the individual bit shafts. Great stuff.

 

[Farleyfan]

I have a couple of these sets, very handy for the smaller stuff.

 

[2oolhound]

Anybody have their ratcheting screwdriver? Their ratcheting screwdriver is the size of a regular screwdriver, not a big mutant like everybody else makes. I've only seen them and tried them (don't own one). I think they are tuff enough to last.

 

[jfleisher]

Yep, had the yellow handle with a bunch of different shafts. This was the 80's when I worked as a field tech for 3M. I still have some of the nut driver shafts in the odd ball sizes that the Sears nut drivers don't have.

My go to phillps screwdrivers are the black handle Xcelite's.

Kevin

I use the Xcelite black handles (Super-Tru) in my work every day. I love these.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have a handful of Xcelite drivers...good stuff!

 

[Vvmvbb]

...close out specials look pretty reasonable if anyone is interested:

https://www.crawfordtool.com/Closeouts.html

 

[3baygarage]

Woody I have seen plenty of Xcelite at sales as they were made very close to where I’m from.


This one is new to me but maybe you’re familiar with it. It has a special Ohio flair to it if you see what I mean.

Pretty neat.

 

[Odes]

Those are are pretty cheap like the look of the blue handle torx

 

[davethorik]

Woody I have seen plenty of Xcelite at sales as they were made very close to where I’m from.


This one is new to me but maybe you’re familiar with it. It has a special Ohio flair to it if you see what I mean.

Pretty neat.

Kind of hard to see cuz the pic is small, but does that use a Wright 1/4 ratchet guts? That is definitely a unique setup.

 

[3baygarage]

Yeah it’s a Wright 1/4 ratchet mech. crimped in there. Think I saw a different one online with what looked like a NB mech instead.

 

[6PTsocket]

I find most of the xcelite screwdrivers I find are pretty worn it I have found a mini nut driver set

I have just one mini driver. 1/4", in my collection but I do hsve a pocket screwdriver

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[dscheidt]

I have a couple of these sets, very handy for the smaller stuff.

My dad had a kit like that in the kitchen, and it got used for all sorts of stuff. His has a different case, which keeps the screw drivers vertical. The 'torque amplifier goes in the lift off top. I like it better than the fold open case, which is what my modern copy (kept in the dining room, of course) has.

 

[turbowoodworker]

...close out specials look pretty reasonable if anyone is interested:

https://www.crawfordtool.com/Closeouts.html

I just got a shipment USPS from Crawford. Thanks for posting. I got several looong handle drivers in Orchard Park orange, and a set of those retro **** blue torx drivers. I don't need more screwdrivers but hard to pass up NOS USA beauties like these.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Thought I would put up a few pics of these USA made beauties.

 

[mv213]

I have a couple of these sets, very handy for the smaller stuff.

That was a great set, I remember using that one. Never owned one though