Tuffy Screwdriver - Swallow Air Craft Co.

[HeelSpur]

Very sweet info.

 

[B17E1943]

Swallow made a few other items besides airplanes and Tuffy screwdrivers.

I feel like I need at least one of each now.

Flyer from their out of business auction in 1956:

 

[y'sguy]

This is interesting stuff. My Dad owned a Swallow airplane. I'll see if I can't dig up some old photos. I wasn't aware they made tools, but then…

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Hi all.. I hadnt checked in on this for a while.. just got all caught up. That's what I love about GJ.. just a bunch of folks that will take a small lead and get into an amazing level of detail .. just 'cause.....

 

[timbitca]

Great read. Came here from the GS thread, something else I didn't know I needed to be on the lookout for.

 

[DadsTools]

Had a couple of these screwdrivers pass through my hands before. Nice collectible, but I didn't like them as a screwdriver. Awkward feel to the handle during use, except when you're using the torque bar (or whatever it's called), which is a rare instance and not worth putting up with the weird grip the rest of the time. But I'd rather have a driver with a hex shoulder I can put a wrench on when needed and still have a normal feeling grip. Kind of reminds me of the gimmick tools you still see come on the market from time to time. Probably why they don't make them anymore.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...just 'cause.....

HHA. Yeah, that's us. Good to see you checking in on your old thread, Dennis.

...something else I didn't know I needed to be on the lookout for.

Happy hunting, timbicta!

Nice collectible, but I didn't like them as a screwdriver.

To each his own and all that and I respect your subjective opinion.

Probably why they don't make them anymore.

...but I don't agree with this. There are a lot of very fine tools scattered throughout this board that are no longer made. Their obsolescence is not always related to utility. In fact, the question most often asked is the opposite one. Something on the order of, "Why the hell DON'T they make these anymore?" Not only did Swallow make the TUFFY for several decades, they had three different imitators on top of that, and glowing testimony from aircraft mechanics and machinists from across the internet, with a "cultish" - as SilverDeck aptly put it - following.

 

[Outlawmws]

If Makita is still making the two I have with the lever, they are still made. probably a more comfortable handle as the lever folds flush into the triangular(ish) grip and its both comfortable to use, and you can really get a good grip in it, even without the lever.

Pic from when I picked up the last one:

 

[DadsTools]

HHA. Yeah, that's us. Good to see you checking in on your old thread, Dennis.


Happy hunting, timbicta!


To each his own and all that and I respect your subjective opinion.


...but I don't agree with this. There are a lot of very fine tools scattered throughout this board that are no longer made. Their obsolescence is not always related to utility. In fact, the question most often asked is the opposite one. Something on the order of, "Why the hell DON'T they make these anymore?" Not only did Swallow make the TUFFY for several decades, they had three different imitators on top of that, and glowing testimony from aircraft mechanics and machinists from across the internet, with a "cultish" - as SilverDeck aptly put it - following.

Looks like you're a fan of them. That's cool.

Poked around the web and it seems nobody is really sure exactly when they stopped making them and why. So perhaps my speculation might be no worse than anyone else's.

Seems they have a fan base. Some say how strong the shanks were. Couldn't prove it by me. Of the two I've had, one had a bent shank and the other a buggered tip. Of course, I'm spoiled with a set of drivers with battleship grey handles from my Dad who got them out of the Navy Yard probably in the 1960s. No distinguishing markings on them, but you could use them as jackhammer blades, they're that tough, super hard. Tips are still nice on all of them after close to 50 years. Crazy good. No comparison IMO. And they have that hex at the base of the shank for turning with a wrench.

Just was reading through the thread and thought I might add my two-cents as to what I thought about them. That's all.

 

[Dibiase77]

Picked one up myself a few weeks back at an estate sale because of this thread. Got the chance to try it out when I was taking a Sioux spade handle drill apart. Didn't need to use the extra handle but I do like that it's there If I need it. IMHO it got the job done and I liked using it. I can definitely understand why they are so well liked. It'll be one of the first I grab when I need a screwdriver again that's for sure. Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread. Hoping I find more.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044R using Tapatalk

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Just was reading through the thread and thought I might add my two-cents as to what I thought about them. That's all.

I had no problem with what you thought about them. Why would I? It's just your opinion. You linking their obsolescence to your opinion is what I objected to.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If Makita is still making the two I have with the lever, they are still made. probably a more comfortable handle as the lever folds flush into the triangular(ish) grip

I think there are several imitations or spinoffs still being made. As for the grip on the TUFFY, I love it. I put the smooth fold-up part in my palm and wrap my fingers around the rest of the handle, which has the same longitudinal grooves most screwdrivers I like and use have.

 

[MR.X]

Had a couple of these screwdrivers pass through my hands before. Nice collectible, but I didn't like them as a screwdriver. Awkward feel to the handle during use, except when you're using the torque bar (or whatever it's called), which is a rare instance and not worth putting up with the weird grip the rest of the time. But I'd rather have a driver with a hex shoulder I can put a wrench on when needed and still have a normal feeling grip. Kind of reminds me of the gimmick tools you still see come on the market from time to time. Probably why they don't make them anymore.

Nice reality check post. I've had a few of these pass thru my hands too and..

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's one of the cool things about GJ. Multiple realities. One man's treasure and all that.

 

[MR.X]

That's one of the cool things about GJ. Multiple realities. One man's treasure and all that.

True enough.........If I'm not a fan of something I try to just stay out of the thread. But at some point, and I'm not saying I know where that point is, some vintage tool DISCUSSIONS probably aren't hurt by a little contrarian action. Although in this case I suppose my comment was just sorta supporting that concept and really not so constructive.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

For me, it depends on the thread. There are threads where someone is explicitly asking for opinions, and others where a tool's qualities or lack thereof are being explored somewhat neutrally as the objective of the thread. In some cases, done right, expressed interrogatively ("What am I missing?" "What is the advantage of that feature?" "What characteristics draw you folks to this brand?", etc), it can even be okay on threads that are clearly meant to be celebratory in nature. That's always delicate though. Personally, I would never jump in on a celebration thread, where the virtues of a tool or a brand etc etc are already being extolled by many proponents, and be a detractor. Who would go on the P&C thread and say the early tools lack style, for example? Who would go on the DOE thread and claim they're the dumbest most useless wrenches ever invented? Who would go in a biker bar and knock the low compression of Harley-Davdison's most vaunted bikes? Speaking only for myself, that comes off as troll-ish to me. At that point, what's the point? Do you really think you're going to convince everyone they're "wrong" about the brand or the tool? Or are you just trying to passively-aggressively cause trouble for no good reason?

I will re-emphasize that I didn't have any problem with what DadsTools posted about his perception of TUFFY's lack of durability, his perception of the awkward grip, or his perception of the torque bar as gimmicky. I only took issue with the implication that the tool is probably no longer being made because of those perceived shortcomings.

EDIT: I was going to give you some examples of brands and tools and toolboxes I hate, but don't publicly bash, but I am loathe to even do that here so as not to offend anyone!

 

[Outlawmws]

I think the reality for these drivers is the intended market was small aircraft, mostly aluminum, (or wood) the need to get things tight when inherently screws with slotted heads aren't a good fit for, relatively speaking, higher torque applications, and the need for them NOT to come loose in flight...

You give 3 guys a "standard" screwdriver and have them tighten 10 screws each and I'd bet you would get 15 different torque values... a lever is far more likely to get torqued evenly.

Most torque specs are intended to do 2 things: not exceed the strength of the fastener, and to get the torque in a pattern of fasteners torqued evenly. Using the same lever, I can get a set of lug bolts or even head bolts torqued evenly enough by making sure I use the same motions on each. Gripping a screw driver; all bets are off.

Then there is getting a stuck screw out. A lever helps that.

I'm in the "I get it" group with this, which is why my two Makita's have places; in my road box and my screw gun bag... I want one more for my in the house workbench and the bit set with all the odd, "tamperproof" bits...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...and the bit set with all the odd, "tamperproof" bits...

I have been running a search day and night on three different venues since I saw that!

 

[Outlawmws]

For a Makita, or the bit set?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Sorry, I though you were taking about the TUFFY midget socket set.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'd like to find one of those as well!

 

[MR.X]

.......... Who would go on the P&C thread and say the early tools lack style, for example? Who would go on the DOE thread and claim they're the dumbest most useless wrenches ever invented? Who would go in a biker bar and knock the low compression of Harley-Davdison's most vaunted bikes? Speaking only for myself, that comes off as troll-ish to me. At that point, what's the point?

yeah, there's nothing wrong with this thread, I just posted when I saw someone else surprisingly have a dissenting opinion cause sometimes i see GJ threads that look like a millennial social media site where everyone is liking everyone else's posts so their posts will in turn be liked, but this is probably a poor example of that.....anyway, I'm heading back under the bridge now .... oh, btw , LATER ( not early) P&C tools do lack style and when they reach a certain size, DOE wrenches are, if not useless certainly head shakers.... and as for HD's....Now youz can't leave.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Haha!

 

[DadsTools]

yeah, there's nothing wrong with this thread, I just posted when I saw someone else surprisingly have a dissenting opinion cause sometimes i see GJ threads that look like a millennial social media site where everyone is liking everyone else's posts so their posts will in turn be liked, but this is probably a poor example of that.....anyway, I'm heading back under the bridge now .... oh, btw , LATER ( not early) P&C tools do lack style and when they reach a certain size, DOE wrenches are, if not useless certainly head shakers.... and as for HD's....Now youz can't leave.

Yep. Just thought this was a thread talking about Tuffy screwdrivers, not a thread devoted to the veneration thereof. If the thread was entitled Tuffy Screwdriver Admiration Shrine or something like that, it might be different. But it wasn't. So I didn't think it was.

Again, as far as my suggestion why these are not made anymore: In general, a popular, good-selling tool design is usually something that stays around, no matter who makes it. Like ratcheting box wrenches. Yes, yes, we can talk about exceptions to this rule, but I think "usually" is correct. Perhaps one can argue that they became too expensive to make, but here again, if they were that 'hot' a tool among mechanics, they'd pay the extra price, so this too is a 'popularity' issue.

And finally, at the risk of repeating myself, and after a lot of searching, it seems NO ONE really knows the precise reason why these are not made anymore. So...if no one knows the actual reason for their demise, how could my suggestion be promptly dismissed as invalid? Invalid compared to what contradicting fact? It's not that the Chinese started making them for dirt cheap compared to USA-made (which you KNOW they would if they thought there was a buck to be made there). They just disappear. I say that the awkward design simply fell out of favor. Yet another innovative 'gimmick' tool that has faded into pages of tool history. A popularity issue. Sorry, folks.

 

[B17E1943]

Tuffy screwdrivers are GODlike. Just saying.

Looking for one now myself, just for the coolness factor and the aircraft connection.

Most of the ones on that auction site are either beat to ****, or overpriced.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I see that you are missing my point, Dads. Sorry. I will be more direct this time.

Saying you don't like the TUFFY's grip, questioning its durability, and finding the whole concept gimmicky is perfectly acceptable, of course. Again, given the testimonies by its main user communities through the years, its imitators, and its cultish following, those are obviously matters of subjective opinion that others disagree with. Saying it is no longer made because of those reasons, however, obviously attempts to justify your opinion of the TUFFY as the "right" opinion. In other words, it wasn't sufficient for you to say you don't like it, or you don't get it, to simply register yourself as a nonfan and leave it that. You had to try to imply that your judgement was the objective reality. And I will never tolerate that. On any thread. On any tool or subject. I won't repeat myself about the irrelevance of obsolescence on the historical quality, functionality and value of a vintage tool on a forum where most of the tools are no longer made, and I don't need to know the actual reasons for the TUFFY's obsolescence to call you out on that.

I'm not going to side-track Dennis's thread about this any longer.

Most of the ones on that auction site are either beat to ****, or overpriced.

So I've heard. I hope you get lucky in the wild soon!

 

[DadsTools]

I see that you are missing my point, Dads. Sorry. I will be more direct this time.

Saying you don't like the TUFFY's grip, questioning its durability, and finding the whole concept gimmicky is perfectly acceptable, of course. Again, given the testimonies by its main user communities through the years, its imitators, and its cultish following, those are obviously matters of subjective opinion that others disagree with. Saying it is no longer made because of those reasons, however, obviously attempts to justify your opinion of the TUFFY as the "right" opinion. In other words, it wasn't sufficient for you to say you don't like it, or you don't get it, to simply register yourself as a nonfan and leave it that. You had to try to imply that your judgement was the objective reality. And I will never tolerate that. On any thread. On any tool or subject. I won't repeat myself about the irrelevance of obsolescence on the historical quality, functionality and value of a vintage tool on a forum where most of the tools are no longer made, and I don't need to know the actual reasons for the TUFFY's obsolescence to call you out on that.

I really am sorry, Lugz. There's no one on these forums whose knowledge, passion and analytical prowess I admire and respect more than yours. You know that. It's not the first time I've said this. It's for this reason I am taking the time to respond.

You must know it was never my intention to tick you off, and I admit I was rather taken back when it did. Took me a little time to figure out why. I get your reasoning, and that it's colored by your passion. I think, however, that in this instance, passion may have ruled over reason. I stated in my post that got the reaction:

"Kind of reminds me of the gimmick tools you still see come on the market from time to time. Probably why they don't make them anymore." [italics added]

This simply does not equate with your assessment "You had to try to imply that your judgement was the objective reality. And I will never tolerate that. On any thread." But it's clear I'm rendering it as an opinion, and in no way implying that it's a statement of fact with my "kind of" and "probably." No statement of objective fact here. And I'm actually referring to the 'gimmicky' aspect of the tool, not my personal dislike of it. Perhaps if I had placed these two lines in a separate paragraph, that would be clearer. But my opinion as to their disappearance on the market doesn't have to do with my like or dislike of the tool, just on the gimmickness of it.

"I won't repeat myself about the irrelevance of obsolescence on the historical quality, functionality and value of a vintage tool on a forum where most of the tools are no longer made, and I don't need to know the actual reasons for the TUFFY's obsolescence to call you out on that."

C'mon, Lugz. The reason why a tool is no longer made is a fundamental part of its history. We talk about that subject on a regular basis on this forum. Yes, you can talk about the quality, function and value of a vintage tool independent of its history. But the history is an intrinsic aspect of these tools too, otherwise Woody's essays on the history of a company and its tools, from rise to demise, would just be a waste of words and unwelcome contributions. Why wrenches are no longer marked with the old USS sizes and the like; why pressed steel sockets are no longer made; why they don't make those fat carbon steel wrenches anymore. And on and on and on. It's a significant part of the collecting conversation. A tool's or mfr's rise and demise is an inseparable part of the collectible tool conversation. And in instances where the reason for demise is unknown, we fill that void with analysis and conjecture. We do it all the time. To say that such discussion must be excluded from the conversation is unreasonable.

You said, "In fact, the question most often asked is the opposite one. Something on the order of, 'Why the hell DON'T they make these anymore?'"

EXACTLY! Couldn't agree more. But surely, you're not suggesting that contemplating the answer to this should be barred from the discussion? Or are you implying that the only folks having the right to discuss this are those who really liked the tool and still pine for it, while those disliking the tool must be excluded from the discussion? That's not reasonable either. The "the hell" part of the question is the passion. But with or without those two words, the historical question is identical, just one more passionate than the other. I know you're not meaning that passion is a prerequisite for the privilege of opening one's mouth about why they think a tool is no longer made. That's religion, not history.

And yes, to me, the Tuffy torque bar is a gimmick. Doesn’t mean “gimmick" is bad or can’t be useful, even though the word is typically used that way. This was a gimmick added to a standard screwdriver. Perhaps ‘gadget’ invokes less consternation. “Improvement” is more subjective. But of course, they had to make an unconventional feel and asymmetrical profile to the grip to make it work. And with slotted screws, the torque lever could only be extended in two clock positions, while a wrench on a hex shoulder provides many positions. Those were clearly compromises inherent to the design. Some will accept such compromise for its function, some won't think the function is worth the compromises, the latter almost always a factor in its eventual demise.

To me, the introduction of interchangeable sockets was a gimmick/gadget to sell tools in a world dominated by fixed handle sockets. Some gimmicks stick and even become mainstream. Some gimmicks don’t. Tuffy’s didn’t, although it had a small following. There are many, many, many examples. And a discussion about why some stuck and others didn’t is a legitimate part of the conversation. And one's personal opinion as to the merits of the tool an inescapable part of that conversation.

I think sometimes we get lost in our passion for these collectibles, and in doing so lose sight of objectivity. We all do from time to time, and I'm no less guilty of it than anyone else. We get so wrapped up in it that we perceive that world to be much bigger than it really is. But the truth is that the collectible tool community is a relatively small group within the general population. If it were not so, you'd have to stand in line at the flea market at 6AM because by 9AM all the tool tables would be empty (pickers, be thankful it IS a small community). And I would say that the 'cult' following for these Tuffy drivers is yet even a much smaller percentage of this small community. Tuffys weren't made all that long ago. If they were so popular and sold so many, we'd find a lot more of them than we do. Like vintage Stanley screwdrivers. I'd bet there are a lot of professional mechanics today who have never even seen nor heard of one. In the greater mechanics community—the community whose following is necessary for any specialized high-grade, high priced hand tool to be commercially viable—Tuffy was clearly not a major player, unless of course you’re looking through an impassioned tunnel at a very small facet of reality. This is the kind of objective thinking we lose sight of in our passion. I think this is good for all vintage tool enthusiasts to keep in mind.

So, if it is permissible to discuss the entire history of a tool from its beginning to end, the question remains:

Why the hell DON'T they make these anymore?

I personally believe that the gimmick ultimately never caught on with a large enough audience (“popularity” in a broad enough target market, or “demand” if you prefer) willing to pay the premium for its construction to sustain profitability in making them. Or in other words, not enough people liked them all that much (for whatever reason, mine or any other reason, but there HAS to be a reason) to shell out the money for them. Even the Chinese, who can make and sell them for peanuts, don’t see the profit in it.

What’s your opinion, folks? Why do you think they’re not made anymore?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Dads,

I never said, suggested, or implied that the history of a tool, the company, the production, or its obsolescence, including TUFFY, is not an appropriate subject. I provide information, research, and discussion points about those topics all the time in many, many threads. I already explained what I objected to and I have no interest in belaboring it further.

Outlaw

One thing I wonder about with Makita's newer-fangled version of the TUFFY screwdriver is the placement of the hinge for the folding torque arm at the top of the handle instead of at the bottom, midway up the tool, and closer to the shank, where TUFFY put it.

Is it difficult to keep perpendicular that way when you're using the lever? I guess it's short enough to not skew or wobble, but I wonder how it would be with a longer overall driver. How long is your other Makita with a TUFFY-like folding torque arm?

The TUFFY designers seem to have followed the same principle of the vintage heavy duty machinists' screwdrivers made with a hex nut shoulder beneath the handle for turning with a wrench.

Here's one of mine, a Tobrin.

You can just imagine what it would look like with a wrench attached to that hex, of course. Just like a TUFFY! TUFFY simply and ingeniously replaced the need for holding a second tool there by putting a permanent folding arm in the same place.

Personally, I think lower would be better, but I have one antique screwdriver that really took the placement of where to apply some torque to an extreme, putting a recess for turning the driver with a wrench an inch or so just above the tip.

It's a Sawyer "Samson", made in Fitchburg, Mass. sometime between 1898 and 1911. Talk about being ahead of ones time. The tips were replaceable! Then again, this design does not scale very well to smaller screwdrivers with thinner shanks.

 

[Outlawmws]

Dad's, your last sentence says it all - It is your opinion, but was stated as a fact, which you got called on...

As to it being a "Gimmick" tool, go look up how long they were in production, then the history of the company, and why it folded, and then look at when production finally stopped. I don't see your opinion holding much water...

And I'd suggest that you need to start your own thread with that question instead of further derailing this thread with off topic questions.

Lugz, the Makita's are both the same and apparently came in a bit driver set. (I found a set on Eprey)

I think I agree, the lever would have been better down lower, but for a slightly different reason. If I need to apply more torque, I also want to apply more pressure downwards and the top lever makes that harder as I want to do so on the "top knob"...

I don't have an issue keeping it on the vertical, but its just not as conducive to resisting the cam out action of a Phillips for instance.. I tend to hold it like a handgun one handed, and I'd like to have both hands in there...

I like the two old drivers you posted. cool stuff!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks for the low down on the Makitas.

 

[DadsTools]

Dad's, your last sentence says it all - It is your opinion, but was stated as a fact, which you got called on...

It's impossible to have any rational exchange when there is such a problem with basic reading comprehension.

Here's what I said that I "got called on" as you say by alleging I stated it as fact:
"Probably why they don't make them anymore."

Now let's review our basic English, shall we? "Probably" means it's a subjective opinion, not a statement of fact.

Now to help you to understand the difference, here's an example of an actual statement of fact:
"This is why they're not made anymore."

Now, look at the two very carefully. See the difference? Good. Now you know I did not make a statement of fact in that post.

No charge for the reading lesson, it was my pleasure.

You're welcome.

 

[Outlawmws]

It's not the sentence by itself, its all the "supportive verbiage", and the fact that several of us took it that way, says the message did not come out as intended.

This is why qualifiers such as "its just my opinion" are important in the written message. Any qualifications you made went the other direction defending your position.

Like Lugz, I'm done with this.

 

[DadsTools]

It's not the sentence by itself, its all the "supportive verbiage", and the fact that several of us took it that way, says the message did not come out as intended.

This is why qualifiers such as "its just my opinion" are important in the written message. Any qualifications you made went the other direction defending your position.

Like Lugz, I'm done with this.

So now it's my fault that I didn't write it clear enough so a 6-year old could understand it.. My last two sentences in my original post:
Kind of reminds me of the gimmick tools you still see come on the market from time to time. Probably why they don't make them anymore.

Any reasonable thinking would understand this is a statement of opinion. But it wasn't about reason, was it? It was about my criticizing the Tuffy screwdriver design. Some people were offended by that. Once they got mad at that, it wouldn't have mattered how I wrote those last two sentences. "Diss my wife, my car, my dog...but diss my screwdriver? I won't stand for that! Them's fightin' words!" I even got accused that by my last two sentences, I was "implying" a statement of fact. That's over the top, and fishing where they ain't. C'mon, people.

Let's be honest. The real reason I got flamed was because I was criticizing the Tuffy design. Even being told I should start my own thread if I wanted to say anything critical. That's over the top too. Just more angry talk. As another posted observed, it's all a legitimate part of a discussion about a tool. There was no designation this thread was a kneeling before the Swallow Veneration Altar. Be real.

Gimmick: There's a lot of negatives normally associated with this word, and is commonly defined as such. But its definition, in its most pure, honest and comprehensive form, is:
DICTIONARY.COM: an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, especially one designed to attract attention or increase appeal
OXFORD DICTIONARY: a trick or device intended to attract attention, publicity, or trade.

Yep. It's entirely reasonable (and factual) to call the Tuffy folding torque lever a gimmick. Sorry.

Why aren't they made anymore? The patent has long since expired, so anyone could produce and sell them. It's been stated that other companies made copies of these in the past, so it doesn't matter how or when Swallow went out of business. Mossberg, the alleged inventor of interchangeable sockets, got out of that business a long time ago, yet other companies are still making them. So, why isn't the Tuffy made anymore? All the bravado and extolling the virtues and alleged former popularity of this extinct tool does not answer the question--it's just posturing. I gave my opinion. Even the Chinese don't see the demand for the gimmick today to justify the cost of making it. I think deep down, most people would have to admit that this is the reason (even if their veneration for the Tuffy wars against that). And there IS a reason. I don't see anyone offering a reasonable alternative, just flaming my opinion. That's dishonest and unfair. And so is trying to make this all my fault.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

No worries about the discourse. Agree to agree... agree to disagree... or simply move on.

I'll bet (as I recall reading) that somewhere along the line the 'last owner' of the design/tooling (who probably didnt rely on this tool for their rice bowl) ... went under and that somebody ended up with some auction proceeds (or not) and didnt know or want what they had....

The same principle applies to those screwdrivers that have a hex under the handle for applying an appropriate wrench to it... I've done that a few times myself.. and its usually successful.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

So I see that we all got upgraded from gullible rubes with inferior screwdriver judgement fooled by the same TUFFY gimmickry that eventually led its demise to merely being dishonest! Haha!

It's all your fault, Dennis. I didn't see DadsTools latest post - left here on Father's Day morning - until you posted! Just kidding. I had already moved on. Now I will be ignoring DadsTools on this and all threads. Last straw for me.

 

[Outlawmws]

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Lol!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'll bet (as I recall reading) that somewhere along the line the 'last owner' of the design/tooling (who probably didnt rely on this tool for their rice bowl) ... went under and that somebody ended up with some auction proceeds (or not) and didnt know or want what they had...

Could be. The first spinoff in Quinter, KS, which took the TUFFY name for the company name, was still going (into the 80's) when the second spinoff, Salem Tool, Dalesville, Ind., popped up in the 70's. And a third (KP Enterprises, in Denver, CO) was making them as late as 2003. Although I think it's more likely it just faded in terms of quantity of demand. The patent expired in 1970, and while it would've been more expedient to have the tooling, it could easily be reverse engineered without it.

I give absolutely zero credence to the marketplace assessment on these kinds of subjects when most users today who did not grow up with hand tools have other options. The guys in my own shop use variable preset torque power screwdrivers for any precision fabrication work we do for the Army, and if I had to speculate, the advent of that technology was almost certainly a contributing factor. As I said upthread, many tools that were perfectly useful in their time are no longer made and many of them are on wish-they-were-still-made lists. Drive extensions with rotating grips. Side-cutters with replaceable jaws. One-handed speeders. CAM-LOC wrenches. Just to name a few examples. The subject is so ripe on a place like GJ it spawned its own thread on the General Discussion board.

There's a cultural aspect to this subject as well. Mechanics in Europe today still use tools that were obsolete here in the US many, many years ago. One great example are the tubular offset socket wrenches that Braunsdorf-Mueller used to make in NJ in the early 1900's. (See Pic 1.) I was shocked to discover that FACOM and other modern mfgrs are still making them (called cles-a-pipes in France) and that they are preferred for all kinds of modern automotive work in Europe, reached for as often as we reach for combination wrenches. (See Pic 2!)

Obsolescence has no implications whatsoever on what aircraft mechanics were using in the 40's and 50's, including the TUFFY, and no implications whatsoever on what could be accomplished with a surviving TUFFY right now. On that note, I just used mine to back out several pillar screws that a recent storm snapped clean off inside a few of the flag holders on my house porches. They were too small for ezeeouts and pliers were just chewing them up. So I cut a slot and screwed them out. Worked like a charm!

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Seems like Craftsman made a set of these several years ago


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[B17E1943]

Seems like Craftsman made a set of these several years ago.

I believe I have a Made in France one of those Cmans around here somewhere. Facom?