Who knows about old electric drills?

[millforge]

Until this week I could have denied collecting old electric drills. The only ones here were my Dad's, so they are part of the family, including his 1970 cordless rechargeable. But these 2 presented themselves just a few days apart, and I weakened. My guess is that these are both from the 1920s.

The smaller one has no markings anywhere. The front casting is chrome plated, the drum aluminum, and the handle a composition material of some sort. It had a keyless chuck (like an eggbeater drill) that says "Patent Pending", and "Chicago". It spits sparks if you hold you mouth wrong.

I can't find anything on the MERIT drill either. It is all aluminum and seems to work OK. It has a Jacobs chuck #1A, and the motor by Westinghouse. When I searched I found wrenches made by Sears with the Merit name, and some measuring tools by Goodell Pratt with the Merit name. The source also said that Goodell Pratt made electric drills for a short time, but I don't know what they looked like.

I welcome any help as to date and maker.

Thanx
Art

 

[bonneyman]

Can't help with dates, but I'd suspect being old they are disassemble-able and readily cleaned and serviced. Newer drills are throw away when they burp - older work mates like these were fixable.

Careful cleaning and lubing should help running and reduce sparking. Could be metal particle build-up causing it.

 

[Packard V8]

I'm not familiar with the Merit brand. But remember, we made things here once. There were more than 1,800 automobile manufacturers in the United States from 1896 to 1930 and at least that many tool manufacturers.

The D-handle pattern is really an industrial design where a worker would be pushing 1/4" holes all day long. I've got a similar Thor.

jack vines

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

The lower drill is a Hi-Power 77-H from the 60s. It was made by Portable Electric Tool Company of Chicago. Portable Electric Tools was absorbed into McGraw Edison as a portable power tool company. I think this drill was later updated into the Power House Model 549 by McGraw Edison as there are many similarities. Attached are pics of a 77-H from a closed Ebay auction.

 

[millforge]

Thank you. That is the exact same machine for sure, but 1960s????. It looks so primitive. I have older drills than that, that look modern in comparison. Maybe it was an attempt at retro-styling?