very interesting ratcheting screwdriver

[arkangel06]

This drivers a Stanley Yankee # 131A Made in Canada Belonged to my Grandfather

Anyone ever seen one before or have anymore information on it?
I only have one bit for it but would love to get more!!!!!

Heres some pictures

Jacob

 

[84TurboBuick]

Those are quite common in most of the old-timers boxes.

I had one for years that my grandfather gave me along with some other stuff. It finally broke.

Best bet is to restore it, and then let it sit.

I still wish I had mine, but fixing them is darn near impossible.

 

[arkangel06]

this ones is great condition so i better let it sit

 

[GTO]

I have a Craftsman that was my fathers.
c.1968-70

 

[jniolon]

My dad used one of these 40 years ago installing kitchen cabinets (second job)... you should have seen his thumb when it slipped the screw slot and drilled through his thumb... not a pretty site !!!! and some paint curing language went with it...

john

 

[txz28]

I have always heard them called "Yankee Screwdrivers". You can still find them out there:

Yankee Screwdriver on Google

 

[Underdog]

Worked with an old carpenter installing windows early 70's with one, have several in the toolbox now. VS Drills pretty much put them out of business. Keep it, it will always work, only manual labor needed.

 

[Joe Mamma]

Here's something I came across a while ago. I've been meaning to look at it more closely. have no idea how correct or accurate it is:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Yankee-Screwdriver-Maintenance

Joe Mamma

 

[norry]

Those are also called Amish power tools. Because they don't use electricity, it's their equivalent of a cordless screwdriver.

 

[ourkid2000]

Isn't this a P.L. Robertson (before he came up with the screw) invention?

The thing looks positively lethal to me LOL!

 

[kbs2244]

Sweet tools.
Cordless drills have made them old fashioned, but I still have mine.

The long stroke one is a Yankee.
(I am 65 and it was my grandfathers.)
A shorter stroke one is a Schroeder.

Thanks for the links.
I will have to see if you can still get the bits.

 

[Honda 1]

I have the old Sears version of this tool. Sears used to sell the bits as a set. Recently, I believe I saw one of these tools in a Sears catalog. They may sell the bits.
I just checked that for you. It is on page 93 of the new catalog, which Sears just mailed out. It is called Schroeder Spiral Ratcheting "Yankee" Screwdrivers.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Thanks for the links.
I will have to see if you can still get the bits.

Lee Valley still sells the bits. I believe Sears did up until a few (maybe up to 10) years ago.
Stanley also I believe carries a few, but Lee Valley has more (including a Robertson). Norm did a hand tool segment a few years back (either ATOH or TNYWS) and showed uses for this (check any neander woodworking forum, they still receive a lot of use).

 

[-B-]

I have a large one with storage in the handle it has screw driver bits, gimlet bits and drills. I have a small version too. I also have on for wheel building with a special bit just to drive spoke *******. A sit mostly unused as other tools have superseded them in function. You be hard press not to find one in a house in my neighborhood I remember as a kid see many in use for screen window change overs and other such tasks.

 

[fomocoforrester]

They were used a lot in the wooden boatbuilding industry on repetitve tasks like screwing plywood to frames and stringers.

The arrival of battery tools made them obsolete.

 

[fatfillup]

I bought a box of them at an auction recently and you see them on Ebay most of the time. I believe some are worth a little money $10 to $20, most in the $5. range. Don't know which are which though.

 

[hammlm]

I have a couple Yankees in decent to good shape. They were my Dad's; I use them sometimes, just for nostalgic sake.

About 15-20 years ago, I was working as an electrician --- there was a guy who had one of these in his pouch. No one could install receptacles faster than him. I tried to keep up with a 9.6v makita (that should help date it), but he smoked me.

 

[walrus]

About 15-20 years ago, I was working as an electrician --- there was a guy who had one of these in his pouch. No one could install receptacles faster than him. I tried to keep up with a 9.6v makita (that should help date it), but he smoked me.

I remember using them when their was no Makita

 

[Mickey O]

Ran across this thread searching for something else. I have a few of these screwdrivers, mostly Craftsman brand, some USA made, some German, I love them. With the 1/4" bit adapter they are fantastic for assembling or disassembling things that have tons of screws where you don't want to risk stripping with a cordless plus they easily fit in a toolbox.

Bit adapter, http://www.tias.com/8600/PictPage/3923558200.html, or you can weld one up yourself, I try to pick up as many of those bits as I an find at garage and estate sales.

 

[z28snksknr]

My dad had one of these when I was a kid- i remember playing with it thinking it was the coolest tool ever. Time to go searchin in the old man's garage for it. Thanks ofr reminding me about it!!

 

[Mickey O]

One thing, be careful of pulling that screw off on the top of the handle, it's spring loaded and will fly out.

 

[woody 73]

Good old yankee screwdrivers yes that was long before battery powered drills. Funny thing is you still see old timers using them! While looking around my local hardware store one day by chance I opened the tap & die section and what did I see but a box full of different screwdriver bits.


I bet one day in say 50 years someone will post about those old ancient Dewalt battery powered screwdrivers, That will be a hoot!

 

[Mickey O]

Good old yankee screwdrivers yes that was long before battery powered drills. Funny thing is you still see old timers using them! While looking around my local hardware store one day by chance I opened the tap & die section and what did I see but a box full of different screwdriver bits.


I bet one day in say 50 years someone will post about those old ancient Dewalt battery powered screwdrivers, That will be a hoot!

Where do you live and where is the hardware store, inquiring minds want to know.

 

[slacktide]

Used to be super common in aircraft maintenance. Great for removing a few hundred inspection cover access screws before battery tools. Always called them push-drills... they were available in different shaft lengths, a longer shaft meant more turns per push. You could tell how ******** a mechanic was by the length of his push-drill, lol.

 

[arkangel06]

Mickey I like that little bit adaptor!