Yankee Spiral Drill Help

[calandrod]

I received this neat Stanley Yankee No 130A ratcheting screwdriver drill thing along with some other tools I bought.
I quite like it but I’ve never seen one before. Does anyone know how to attach bits? It seems as though it takes a special kind. Or where these bits can be found?


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[woody 73]

A good starting place:

https://garrettwade.com/product/packs-of-replacement-bits-for-yankee-push-drill

 

[woody 73]

Another good source:

http://www.stanleytoolparts.com/bitsandaccessories-yankeebits.html

 

[bonneyman]

Yeah, the bits tend to be the deal killer on those spiral drivers. They're a special size and have a special retainer method. Though I do tend to find them here and there. Will take you some time but once you know what to look for you can get them reasonable, because most places don't know what they're for.
If time is of the essence, there are adaptors that will fit in the end of the drivers and let you use standard hex bits.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...ers/57809-hex-adapter-for-yankee-screwdrivers

I tend to keep accumulating them. At least I have some bits for all of them.

 

[RTM]

Be aware there are three different sizes (diameters), and a boatload of options for screwdriver points. I keep the LV adapter in one set of mine, they get the most use. Occasionally I will need a long skinny bit, and the adapter gets in the way, so I’ll use the vintage ones.

There is a second adapter, I think Bonneyman shows it second from bottom. It’s a bit more slender, but not as positive a grip.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Are we sure it is a drill?
Drills usually had the bits in the handle.
Seems like a screwdriver. I have never seen a reversing push drill. And that “switch” is for changing direction, or setting to “locked”.

 

[Super Mech]

Yeah, the bits tend to be the deal killer on those spiral drivers. They're a special size and have a special retainer method. Though I do tend to find them here and there. Will take you some time but once you know what to look for you can get them reasonable, because most places don't know what they're for.
If time is of the essence, there are adaptors that will fit in the end of the drivers and let you use standard hex bits.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...ers/57809-hex-adapter-for-yankee-screwdrivers

I tend to keep accumulating them. At least I have some bits for all of them.

I had no idea that they made a hex bit adapter for Yankee drills. I am going to measure mine today and order one immediately. Thanks for the info on this.

 

[Packard V8]

Are we sure it is a drill? Drills usually had the bits in the handle.
Seems like a screwdriver. I have never seen a reversing push drill. And that “switch” is for changing direction, or setting to “locked”.

Yes, No, Maybe. I have all three sizes of Yankee screwdrivers. The smallest of my three Yankee screwdrivers has the switch, but also has a set of drill bits with the medium size notched shank. None of the three sizes stores bits in the handle.

My Yankee push drill has no reversing switch and uses the smallest shank drills with the notched retainer and provision for storing the drills in the handle. I don't have any screwdriver bits in this smallest shank, so maybe it's a drill size only.

My Miller's Falls push drill and the crank drill use a regular screw type chuck and straight shank drills. Both store bits in the handle.

jack vines

 

[RTM]

That is listed as a screwdriver, but you can get these things to use them as a drill.

The drills are 6 pages or so later.

https://archive.org/details/YankeeToolBook/page/n23/mode/2up

 

[rlitman]

That is listed as a screwdriver, but you can get these things to use them as a drill...

Right. The drills are not ratcheting and reversible. This is.

 

[bonneyman]

Be aware there are three different sizes (diameters), and a boatload of options for screwdriver points. I keep the LV adapter in one set of mine, they get the most use. Occasionally I will need a long skinny bit, and the adapter gets in the way, so I’ll use the vintage ones.

There is a second adapter, I think Bonneyman shows it second from bottom. It’s a bit more slender, but not as positive a grip.

Ooops, yeah I forgot to mention there were three different diameter shafts for Yankee bits - and those adaptors.
I have bought 2 sizes and haven't had any fit issues. High quality, nice pieces if you're into Yankee drivers. Before I discovered those pre-made bit holders I made several of my own. Some worked better than others.

 

[WisJim]

If you check out adapters to use the 1/4" hex bits in an electric drill, you can sometimes get a size that fits the Yankee screwdriver chuck and then file the appropriate notches and flat so that it locks into the Yankee chuck. We did a few of those years ago and it is handy to have to use so you don't wear out the sometimes hard to find original Yankee bits, especially the Phillips ones. I've been accumulating the proper bits since they were still available new at the hardware store in town, which must be at least 30 years ago. I have a few (dozens) of the Yankee screwdrivers and the similar Millers Falls and Goodell Pratt ones, too, as well as some older less common brands, and a lot of them use the same bits.

 

[bonneyman]

If you check out adapters to use the 1/4" hex bits in an electric drill, you can sometimes get a size that fits the Yankee screwdriver chuck and then file the appropriate notches and flat so that it locks into the Yankee chuck. We did a few of those years ago and it is handy to have to use so you don't wear out the sometimes hard to find original Yankee bits, especially the Phillips ones. I've been accumulating the proper bits since they were still available new at the hardware store in town, which must be at least 30 years ago. I have a few (dozens) of the Yankee screwdrivers and the similar Millers Falls and Goodell Pratt ones, too, as well as some older less common brands, and a lot of them use the same bits.

Alot of times you'll find them in bins along with other stuff marked cheap because the seller doesn't know what they are. From my pic above you can see when I grab bits I figure out which driver they fit and tape the spares to the shank.

 

[toolmiser]

The drills without a reversing switch were called "coffin drills" No need to remove screw in them.

 

[d42jeep]

In order to replace the bits you need to lift the spring loaded collar right above the bit. Sometimes they are stiff. You could try a little WD40.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

Nice group, Don.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, Bonneyman. I have one more that’s marked Germany but unbranded and a couple of ratcheting screwdrivers, a Stanley Yankee and a Millers Falls.
-Don

 

[WisJim]

I'm always looking for Yankee screwdrivers that have a funnel or cone shaped chuck rather than straight sided chuck. I've seen North Bros. Yankee, Stanley Yankee, and Millers Falls screwdrivers with this style of chuck, but have never found it in a catalog or advertising.

 

[bonneyman]

Shoot, WisJim, never saw flared skirted spiral drivers before. Very different looking!

 

[calandrod]

Yeah, the bits tend to be the deal killer on those spiral drivers. They're a special size and have a special retainer method. Though I do tend to find them here and there. Will take you some time but once you know what to look for you can get them reasonable, because most places don't know what they're for.
If time is of the essence, there are adaptors that will fit in the end of the drivers and let you use standard hex bits.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...ers/57809-hex-adapter-for-yankee-screwdrivers

I tend to keep accumulating them. At least I have some bits for all of them.

Thanks for the tip! I ordered an adapter and it works great!! For $8.90 it’s back in business!


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[calandrod]

In order to replace the bits you need to lift the spring loaded collar right above the bit. Sometimes they are stiff. You could try a little WD40.

-Don

Don thanks for the info on getting that collar out. It was helpful.


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[bonneyman]

Thanks for the tip! I ordered an adapter and it works great!! For $8.90 it’s back in business!


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Glad it worked out for ya!

 

[d42jeep]

Don thanks for the info on getting that collar out. It was helpful.


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Glad to be of help.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I found another Stanley Yankee push drill with some bits on Saturday and finally got around to cleaning it up a little yesterday.
-Don