@@DaveDexterMusic It is very cool, some other features is storage in the handle, and i was told you could drill and tap holes but i have never attempted it.
Yup! It's even the thumbnail of this clip: th-cam.com/video/5AZQox85JLI/w-d-xo.html (Actual appearance of the Yankee is around two and a half minutes in)
Adam, there is also an attachment to use modern 1/4 drive tips, thus expanding this wonderful and useful tool. Also Elwood used one in the Blues Brothers movie.
A friend of my father’s was a salesman for Stanley. Their demo for the Yankee was to pilot drill 5 holes, then start 5 screws in a board and give a normal screwdriver to the customer. They were invited to put the screws in. While they were doing that the salesman would put a drill adapter into the Yankee, pilot drill 5 holes using the pump action. Then switch to a screw bit and drive all 5 screws home well before the customer would get his screws more than half screwed in.
and that's why I watch your videos, you come off genuine. No heavy editing in your videos, so you are more relatable to the general rest of us.... Thanks for all you do.
My Father was a master shipwright just outside London UK in the 50s to the 90s. He had this driver in three sizes, I have them in my toolbox now. He loved them to drive brass slotted woodscrews into cabinetry of all sizes. He flirted for a while with powered tools but rejected them for their lack of feel. He'd drill the holes with a mechanical wheel drill, grab another one with the countersink bit in it and then with the location for the screw prepared, select the correct size and drive it in with one or two quick zips. He'd never miss, perfectly seated and cinched screws every time with no burred slots. God how I miss him.
@@SierraLimaOscar I have a blurred recollection of my brother nearly losing an eye due that happening 🥴 They were a lethal weapon in the wrong hands. 😂
In the UK 20 years earlier, the first DIY TV show was a guy called Barry Bucknell . He had a 12' Yankee , Thump, Thump Thump and the screw was in no messing. Everything pre-drilled and prepared before he came close to it though
I have one that was my grandfathers, unfortunately it only has one bit. I have used it a few times over the last 30 users, it’s actually not bad unscrewing wall plates.
Adam, the strait knurling forward of the switch locks the action in the collapsed position. Also the middle selection disables the ratchet setting. I have several of those from my great grandfather.
It was bothering me that he never locked it close.lol I'm sure he was doing it on purpose 🤣😂🤣 I still have the large version in my tool box. It's a Beast of a thing
Yes, and when it is unlocked from that position it automatically springs open, Harry Tuttle style. (At which point, one should say "I'd like to talk to you about your ducts.")
Correction: only the longer ones have the spring. I didn't realize this, because I have only ever used the long model, not the shorter ones. My bad. Adam will need to get a 131A for his Tuttle Tool Bag.
@@mikevandebunt811 From the way it responds on video it looks like Adam's has the spring. Looking closer he has a 135A. The '35' is the smallest size and the '1' indicates spring return.
You can lock the screwdriver in the compressed position by twisting the collar near the switch, it will then operate as a rachet screwdriver too in either direction, selected by the switch.
I still have my Stanley Yankee 88-130 (130A) from 45 years ago that is somewhere between the one sent to you and the one used in Brazil in size. It's been retired since the cordless revolution, but I keep it in the box as an antique reminder of simpler and harder times. Now I really feel old...
Hi Adam! The larger one you mentioned is the model 131A and the "shenk!" sound it makes when released from the storage position is soooo satisfying. The knurled ring between the base and the helix is turned to lock the driver in the shorter storage position (and then to release it with that dramatic flair as De Niro did). Lee Valley Tools sells adapters for both size Yankee's to allow 1/4" hex bits to be used.
I use my Yankees regularly, I love them, I also upgraded the bits to the Lee Valley hex adapters which lets you use regular 1/4" bits same as you would use in your battery powered drills.
Wonderful, my late Father in Law gave me his tools before he died in 1992, among the beautiful collection was his Yankee screwdriver bought around 1938, it's still working perfectly! He served his apprenticeship in the British Co-operative Society as a Carpenter, built Ansons for AV Roe throughout the war and went back to the Coop afterwards, fitting shop floors and stairs and lately building posh coffins...
First, I had one of these great tools, given to me by my then-father-in-law. I called it my push-me/pull-you screwdriver. Second, OMG!! GO TO DAYTON AND THE AIR FORCE MUSEUM!! I went back about 20 years ago (I'm sure it's changed a LOT since then) and I've never gotten over it! Amazing experience!
I know my dad had one of these when I was a kid. I remember being fascinated by how it worked... and nearly 60 years after he first got it, I'm pretty sure it's still in damn good nick. I'll need to have a look for it next time I'm over.
Oh man, the memories that just came rushing back to me upon seeing that. My family had a small one bedroom lake home turned cottage getaway that stayed with us for several generations. In the boathouse/shop stood one of those Stanley screwdrivers in the wooden homemade screwdriver holder made by my great uncle. My great uncle ,whose house this was, was an electrician by trade. I always played around with that odd looking tool amongst all the other tools and now vintage motors and gadgets. As we NEVER threw out any of his stuff, as it was like a time capsule in there, and was still functional in todays world. It was magnificent! Also, the vintage fridge was always full of ice-cold beer and soda. 😊 My family sold that cottage a few years ago when my dads health declined (ALS) and the new owners gutted the boathouse, house, and garage, and it all looks like a display from Homegoods now. It's very sad, and all that history is lost. I took a few tools for myself before we handed over the keys but failed to grab that piece. I am incredibly disappointed that I didn't, what a great tool of the trade that is, so well made to boot. Unbelievable. I can't believe I missed that. Oh well, hopefully someone has it and enjoys it as much as they should. Glad to see you've got one in your shop now!
I love this, finally a tool I recognize, and making me feel somewhat old as well, I remember one of these being in my fathers toolbox for many years, as soon as Adam picket it up I knew exactly what it was, because I used it so many times in the country house.
With thanks to David J Bruce (aka Tested member @brufassa1992) for sending this lovely tool! More favorite tools of Adam's: th-cam.com/play/PLJtitKU0CAehVwewqUdsYrDqg9Kp1jQvj.html Harry Tuttle clip from Brazil: th-cam.com/video/dht_3NziwSw/w-d-xo.html
I was recently talking to my cousin about this driver that our grandpa had. Gramps was a jack of all trades and always let me play with his tools. I miss him so much.
My father in law just found one in the road and gave it to me. Brought back memories from childhood. My father had one and I was fascinated by its mechanics.
My buddy literally just showed me a few of these his dad had a few hours ago! He didn't really understand exactly what it was or how to use it, this is such crazy timing! Thank you!
My dad started a cabinet making business in the early 1950’s. One of specialties was building cabinetry for churches. This was well before variable speed drills and electric screwdrivers. One of my early memories is him assembling pews with a Yankee Screwdriver and Phillips head screws. He always had one with a set of bits. It was in use even in the 1970’s.
Fun video. I have one of these screwdrivers but it only comes with a straight slot bit. I was able to copy the notches on the shank of a standard hex adapter so I can use any modern bit in the tool. Works great and doesn't hurt the tool or the look of it.
Wife and I watched Brazil two days ago. I pointed out the rather elongated Yankee and we had a good laugh. Then you mention it several times today. There is no such thing as coincidence
My father had that very model. I used to play with it before I knew what it was for. Didn't expect a kick in the nostalgia gland when I clicked on this. Cheers!
I have the long one and the short one both are fantastic. I have power tools but sometimes you want to put something in by hand so you can feel the screw so you don't strip it. The bits can be a little expensive so I was happy to find Axminster tools in the UK sell a hex head adapter which means all your standard hex head bits will now fit in there including hex head drill bits which comes in extremely useful.
Yep, my dad had one, he was a plumber! Must still have it somewhere, always fascinated me as a kid. The little latch that switches the direction tends to wear and can jump out of alignment. Also the spiral can lock up sometimes, probably also due to wear. Useful to have in your toolbox when you're battery dies!
My dad, also an electrician, had a short and long one of these in his satchel. He swore by it. Great memories goofing around in the shed. Used it so many times for some of my childhood ‘builds’ 😅
I was introduced to that specific tool by my father in 1966. I also had one in my tool kit when I was a young airman in the US Air Fore. Very pratical tool.
I’ve only seen one of these on a job in 40 years. The guy who used it seemed really proud of it, and eager to show it off to the rest of us with our heavy Makita battery drivers.
I have three of these, one about that size and two larger ones, one of which I kept from my late father's tool kit. Way back before cordless drills/drivers were a thing, I used to carry a big one and a small one for my work as a door engineer, and I had a whole set of drill bits and countersink bits, for both drivers, as well as all the screwdriver bits I could get in each size. They still hang in my workshop, as I can't bring myself to get rid of them. They did so much work for me, it seems almost wrong to discard them.
I have a few of these screwdrivers and drills, they are great, you can really feel what they're doing as they go through the material. Great for delicate woodcraft, like picture frames. Some have bits in the handle too.
As a handtool inclined hybrid hobbyist woodworker a Yankee screwdriver is my preferred method for drilling pilot holes. The straight fluted bits that came with mine are wonderful. Plus it's just so much fun to use.
I refurbish old tools. A friend of mine gave me his grandfather's set of tools in a classic hand made wooden handled tool box. Beautiful tools and one of them was this very screwdriver. Got it and everything else working perfectly. He was an engineer who worked on Dams. One tool was a brace and bit drill that allowed you to drill into corners and tight spaces. Amazing tech!
Adam, you are special. I have a large model and a small version. Both very useful. Thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
My grandpa installed doors, cabinets and windows in new homes around Washington DC for years. He had several of theses tools at different lengths. I’d play with them when visiting. I was fascinated. Also, got some skin coughs in the mechanism a few times, Ouch! Good memories.
Another daytonian here, if you come to the Air Force museum plan to spend a whole day there simply for wandering, as there is so so much in those hangers. Including a great deal of rocketry and space travel exhibits that I am sure would fascinate you Adam!
I’m not an electrician but do a lot of DIY electrical work at home. These are invaluable for taking off face plates, receptacles, etc when you are up on a ladder and it’s hard to keep your drill handy on your tool belt. Love these screwdrivers and the design, great to see one in Adam’s collection!
I am similar age to Adam and my grandfather also had 3 or 4 of the Yankee screwdrivers. He also had a Makita 9.4v cordless drill, this was around 1982.
My father, a carpenter from his teenage apprenticeship to retirement, had a 12” Yankee in his toolkit and it was his go-to even when battery drills were commonplace.
Thank you! I loved this video! When I was a little girl my very gentle kind natured papa had passed away. But in the sewing room appeared his many many tools from way back. (He was born January of 1900) I used to study the tools which I was very interested in and try to figure out how they worked or what they were used for! Your new to you gifted tool is like one my father had. So it brought back memories. Maybe that experience is why my dream when I was younger was to be either a nurse or an inventor. Thanks again 🥲🌷👍
I have one of these Stanley Yankee screwdrivers that has a plastic handle that hollows inside and holds several different bits with a screw on cap on the end. I picked mine up from an older friend of the family who'd passed away. I've used it a few times so far along with a Carpenters Bit Brace Hand Crank Drill and some vintage planes, several draw knives and other vintage woodworking hand tolls from the same old guy.
I literally just got a yankee screwdriver from my dad this weekend! It was my grandfathers and I’m almost certain it’s the exact same one!! Such a cool tool!
My dad was an Electrician back in the 60's until about 2000. I remember seeing him use this type screwdriver wiring up a houses. I remember playing with it. If you remember in the Blues Brothers movie. Elwood used one of these to torch the elevator.
I have one. I inherited it after my grandfather passed. I have many fond memories of him using it. The original bits are very difficult to find. There are hex bit adapters, but the originals are where its at. I refinished a cedar chest that he built and used the same Yankee driver on the slotted brass screws that I'm sure he used about 75 years ago. It was a fun experience.
The wear pattern in the paint on the screwdriver handle is giving me hardcore flashbacks to helping my dad with various small-scale carpentry projects around the house when I was a kid. A lot of his hand tools were passed down to him from his grandfather.
You didn’t mention the third position that locks the extension. Or the knurled ring that locks the extension closed. Or the use as a ratchet screwdriver with the extension closed. Steve I ha both small one like this and one of the large ones as well
The USAF museum is amazing! They have a B-36 inside, and with the XB-70, which looks like something Gerry Anderson could have designed for "Thunderbirds". So many more great aircraft, it's well worth the trip.
I have one of those, same colour handle and everything! It belonged to my grandfather, then my father and now I am its custodian. I was fascinated as a kid by how it worked.
Thank you so much for this video. This tool has been a grail item for me for years. I just got around to watching this the day before yesterday, then yesterday, by chance, I stumbled on to one at a Goodwill of all places in a bundle of other old hand tools wrapped in cellophane tape for $7.49! It seems the universe just wanted me to catch a W.
Have a NOS one with ALL the bits available plus the Stanley pump drill also with all the bits. Not very useful today but amazing mechanism. Just part of my antique and/or outdated hand tools. A pleasure to use them from time to time. 😊
Dan Aykroyd used one of these in the blues Brothers movies. As soon as i saw that as a kid i was mesmerized. Now as an adult i have 2 of them and boy are they cool!
As a young boy in the 1960's , I would go along with my Dad on weekends to help him install aluminum windows, doors and awnings. This Yankee screwdriver was a key tool he used.
I have three sizes of these and they are as useful as battery tools are now, but never dead! And Adam I have been to the AF colletion twice, all day, and still never saw the WWI stuff, the Presidential aircraft were in a hangar on base and many missiles and other stuff was still outside! Been nearly 20 years!
Still got my dad's full size one. I'm 65 & remember 'playing' with it as a child, unlocking the collar & seeing it shoot out to full length with a loud clunk.
Daytonian here. You'll LOVE the USAF Museum; it's a much more "close" museum than the Smithsonian. Want to sit in an SR-71 cockpit? Stand on the exact spot in Air Force One where Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office? Walk through a B-17? You can do all of that and more there! Also make sure to have some Marion's pizza and Skyline coney dogs for the good regional food stuff. 👍
Dear Adam I have one of those screwdrivers and it does get regular use. I made an adapter to fit in the socket end that allows use of standard hex screwdriver tips which makes it much more versatile especially for use of the best screw head type in the world - The Canadian Robertson tapered square head.
I've got 2 of these sitting in a box next to my desk right now. Both are larger, around 40cm unextended. Got a bunch of vintage tools I'm gonna be selling soon and they're amongst it
My Dad had one and I loved using it. I wish he had kept it along to pass on to me. I have many of his tools but didn't notice this was missing until now. Now I'm kind of sad......
My dad worked for Stanley Tools, back in the 60s, so he had all sorts of things like this which I’ve inherited. One of the variations on the spiral ratchet screwdriver is one without a return spring which was supposedly for glaziers so that the business end wouldn’t fly out and break the glass (or possibly, it was a defective one with a broken or missing spring and I was a gullible child!)
My Father (a German cabinet maker from post WWII) had a couple those types of screwdrivers along with hand powered drills I now own them and enjoy them as well
My dad a plasterer by trade had two of these the version in the video and the longer version , I used to play with them as a kid they just fascinated me . Amazing trip down memory lane ,I will check because I rather think even at 87 he still has one of them .
David Bruce here, you are very welcome Adam. Glad I could bring some inspiration to you and help you educate others on cool tools!
You're a good guy. I've been meaning to get one of these for years, just because... they're so _cool_
@@DaveDexterMusic It is very cool, some other features is storage in the handle, and i was told you could drill and tap holes but i have never attempted it.
My dad had one of these as an aircraft electrician! Thanks for the memory!
@@jphanks Cool jobs, require cool tools! Glad to bring a good memory back.
Are you sure you aren't Stanley Yankee?
Elwood uses one of these in the elevator scene of The Blues Brothers.
Came here to say this, it's a 68-130 (130A), the one with the large plastic maroon handle.
!!!!!
Yup! It's even the thumbnail of this clip: th-cam.com/video/5AZQox85JLI/w-d-xo.html
(Actual appearance of the Yankee is around two and a half minutes in)
@@inkthinker Wow, I barely remember any of that... I clearly need to watch that film again.
Dude, I knew that I had seen it used in a movie other than Brazil but couldn't remember for the life of me what it was, but that was it. Thank you!
Adam, there is also an attachment to use modern 1/4 drive tips, thus expanding this wonderful and useful tool. Also Elwood used one in the Blues Brothers movie.
Yes! It’s made by the lovely Canadians at lee valley. I have them in every size
A friend of my father’s was a salesman for Stanley. Their demo for the Yankee was to pilot drill 5 holes, then start 5 screws in a board and give a normal screwdriver to the customer. They were invited to put the screws in. While they were doing that the salesman would put a drill adapter into the Yankee, pilot drill 5 holes using the pump action. Then switch to a screw bit and drive all 5 screws home well before the customer would get his screws more than half screwed in.
and that's why I watch your videos, you come off genuine. No heavy editing in your videos, so you are more relatable to the general rest of us.... Thanks for all you do.
My Father was a master shipwright just outside London UK in the 50s to the 90s. He had this driver in three sizes, I have them in my toolbox now. He loved them to drive brass slotted woodscrews into cabinetry of all sizes. He flirted for a while with powered tools but rejected them for their lack of feel. He'd drill the holes with a mechanical wheel drill, grab another one with the countersink bit in it and then with the location for the screw prepared, select the correct size and drive it in with one or two quick zips. He'd never miss, perfectly seated and cinched screws every time with no burred slots. God how I miss him.
Stanley Yankee pump action screwdriver …….. the tool of the devil in the 70’s. How many times did I watch my dad struggle with his. 😂
And the whole thing jumping out 😂from its locked stowed position threatening to take your eye out!
@@SierraLimaOscar I have a blurred recollection of my brother nearly losing an eye due that happening 🥴 They were a lethal weapon in the wrong hands. 😂
In the UK 20 years earlier, the first DIY TV show was a guy called Barry Bucknell . He had a 12' Yankee , Thump, Thump Thump and the screw was in no messing. Everything pre-drilled and prepared before he came close to it though
@@russeldavis1787 Ahh, yes I do remember him. He made some neat things and made it look soooooo easy 😂
I have one that was my grandfathers, unfortunately it only has one bit. I have used it a few times over the last 30 users, it’s actually not bad unscrewing wall plates.
"Could pay closer attention".
I do believe we have the next Demerit Badge.
Oooooo.
A cracked magnifying glass?
".02 (crossed out) .002"
Adam, the strait knurling forward of the switch locks the action in the collapsed position. Also the middle selection disables the ratchet setting. I have several of those from my great grandfather.
And they can work like a regular screw driver when you need it.
It was bothering me that he never locked it close.lol
I'm sure he was doing it on purpose 🤣😂🤣
I still have the large version in my tool box. It's a Beast of a thing
Yes, and when it is unlocked from that position it automatically springs open, Harry Tuttle style. (At which point, one should say "I'd like to talk to you about your ducts.")
Correction: only the longer ones have the spring. I didn't realize this, because I have only ever used the long model, not the shorter ones. My bad. Adam will need to get a 131A for his Tuttle Tool Bag.
@@mikevandebunt811 From the way it responds on video it looks like Adam's has the spring. Looking closer he has a 135A. The '35' is the smallest size and the '1' indicates spring return.
I remember this screw driver being my dads go to when growing up like 30 years ago or so! The one tool he always had to hand and used for everything!
We have these too in the UK, that brought back quite a few childhood memories. 🙂
You can lock the screwdriver in the compressed position by twisting the collar near the switch, it will then operate as a rachet screwdriver too in either direction, selected by the switch.
Yup I use mine daily
I still have my Stanley Yankee 88-130 (130A) from 45 years ago that is somewhere between the one sent to you and the one used in Brazil in size. It's been retired since the cordless revolution, but I keep it in the box as an antique reminder of simpler and harder times. Now I really feel old...
Hi Adam! The larger one you mentioned is the model 131A and the "shenk!" sound it makes when released from the storage position is soooo satisfying.
The knurled ring between the base and the helix is turned to lock the driver in the shorter storage position (and then to release it with that dramatic flair as De Niro did).
Lee Valley Tools sells adapters for both size Yankee's to allow 1/4" hex bits to be used.
I use my Yankees regularly, I love them, I also upgraded the bits to the Lee Valley hex adapters which lets you use regular 1/4" bits same as you would use in your battery powered drills.
Whenever Lee Valley says that it has a lifetime warranty, they honor it.
I've done the same with my granddad's Yankee.
Wonderful, my late Father in Law gave me his tools before he died in 1992, among the beautiful collection was his Yankee screwdriver bought around 1938, it's still working perfectly! He served his apprenticeship in the British Co-operative Society as a Carpenter, built Ansons for AV Roe throughout the war and went back to the Coop afterwards, fitting shop floors and stairs and lately building posh coffins...
First, I had one of these great tools, given to me by my then-father-in-law. I called it my push-me/pull-you screwdriver.
Second, OMG!! GO TO DAYTON AND THE AIR FORCE MUSEUM!! I went back about 20 years ago (I'm sure it's changed a LOT since then) and I've never gotten over it! Amazing experience!
I know my dad had one of these when I was a kid. I remember being fascinated by how it worked... and nearly 60 years after he first got it, I'm pretty sure it's still in damn good nick.
I'll need to have a look for it next time I'm over.
I grew up in Cincinnati, so going to the air force museum was one of my favorite activities as a kid. You'd absolutely love it, I'm sure!
Oh man, the memories that just came rushing back to me upon seeing that.
My family had a small one bedroom lake home turned cottage getaway that stayed with us for several generations. In the boathouse/shop stood one of those Stanley screwdrivers in the wooden homemade screwdriver holder made by my great uncle.
My great uncle ,whose house this was, was an electrician by trade. I always played around with that odd looking tool amongst all the other tools and now vintage motors and gadgets. As we NEVER threw out any of his stuff, as it was like a time capsule in there, and was still functional in todays world. It was magnificent! Also, the vintage fridge was always full of ice-cold beer and soda. 😊
My family sold that cottage a few years ago when my dads health declined (ALS) and the new owners gutted the boathouse, house, and garage, and it all looks like a display from Homegoods now. It's very sad, and all that history is lost.
I took a few tools for myself before we handed over the keys but failed to grab that piece.
I am incredibly disappointed that I didn't, what a great tool of the trade that is, so well made to boot.
Unbelievable. I can't believe I missed that. Oh well, hopefully someone has it and enjoys it as much as they should.
Glad to see you've got one in your shop now!
What fun! What a wonderful gift! My father had one in his tool box ... yes a TERRIFIC tool. and such good memories. Thank you all... 🌻🌻
As soon as I saw it, I thought exactly what you said: My grandfather had one of these. I was amazed by how cool it was.
I love this, finally a tool I recognize, and making me feel somewhat old as well, I remember one of these being in my fathers toolbox for many years, as soon as Adam picket it up I knew exactly what it was, because I used it so many times in the country house.
With thanks to David J Bruce (aka Tested member @brufassa1992) for sending this lovely tool!
More favorite tools of Adam's: th-cam.com/play/PLJtitKU0CAehVwewqUdsYrDqg9Kp1jQvj.html
Harry Tuttle clip from Brazil: th-cam.com/video/dht_3NziwSw/w-d-xo.html
I was recently talking to my cousin about this driver that our grandpa had. Gramps was a jack of all trades and always let me play with his tools. I miss him so much.
My father in law just found one in the road and gave it to me. Brought back memories from childhood. My father had one and I was fascinated by its mechanics.
My buddy literally just showed me a few of these his dad had a few hours ago! He didn't really understand exactly what it was or how to use it, this is such crazy timing! Thank you!
My dad started a cabinet making business in the early 1950’s. One of specialties was building cabinetry for churches. This was well before variable speed drills and electric screwdrivers. One of my early memories is him assembling pews with a Yankee Screwdriver and Phillips head screws. He always had one with a set of bits. It was in use even in the 1970’s.
Fun video. I have one of these screwdrivers but it only comes with a straight slot bit. I was able to copy the notches on the shank of a standard hex adapter so I can use any modern bit in the tool. Works great and doesn't hurt the tool or the look of it.
Wife and I watched Brazil two days ago. I pointed out the rather elongated Yankee and we had a good laugh. Then you mention it several times today. There is no such thing as coincidence
Look into the Baader-Meinhof effect.
My dad had one of these which was lost to the family when he & my mom died in the 90's. Brings back memories.
My father had that very model. I used to play with it before I knew what it was for. Didn't expect a kick in the nostalgia gland when I clicked on this. Cheers!
I have the long one and the short one both are fantastic. I have power tools but sometimes you want to put something in by hand so you can feel the screw so you don't strip it. The bits can be a little expensive so I was happy to find Axminster tools in the UK sell a hex head adapter which means all your standard hex head bits will now fit in there including hex head drill bits which comes in extremely useful.
Yep, my dad had one, he was a plumber! Must still have it somewhere, always fascinated me as a kid. The little latch that switches the direction tends to wear and can jump out of alignment. Also the spiral can lock up sometimes, probably also due to wear. Useful to have in your toolbox when you're battery dies!
I got one of these from my old man, 'No.130A' starting a restoration as i watch this. Going to be an awesome addition to my "Old Box".
Grandma had one in the many old tools she had around. It's a really neat yet simple screwdriver.
My dad, also an electrician, had a short and long one of these in his satchel. He swore by it. Great memories goofing around in the shed. Used it so many times for some of my childhood ‘builds’ 😅
I was introduced to that specific tool by my father in 1966. I also had one in my tool kit when I was a young airman in the US Air Fore. Very pratical tool.
I’ve only seen one of these on a job in 40 years. The guy who used it seemed really proud of it, and eager to show it off to the rest of us with our heavy Makita battery drivers.
I have one of these, given to me by my dad who is an electrician and it was given to him by his dad who was an electrician! Super cool!
My grandfather had one of these things too. I loved it. Put in many screws into cabinets with it.
I was helping family clear out my grandparents shop and found one just like that! Fascinating mechanics.
I have three of these, one about that size and two larger ones, one of which I kept from my late father's tool kit. Way back before cordless drills/drivers were a thing, I used to carry a big one and a small one for my work as a door engineer, and I had a whole set of drill bits and countersink bits, for both drivers, as well as all the screwdriver bits I could get in each size. They still hang in my workshop, as I can't bring myself to get rid of them. They did so much work for me, it seems almost wrong to discard them.
I have a few of these screwdrivers and drills, they are great, you can really feel what they're doing as they go through the material. Great for delicate woodcraft, like picture frames. Some have bits in the handle too.
i remember my dad showing me one of these in the late 50s. I was fascinated! it was the first 'auto'-tool I ever saw or used.
I've been fascinated with this tool since I first saw the Blue Brothers as a kid.
As a handtool inclined hybrid hobbyist woodworker a Yankee screwdriver is my preferred method for drilling pilot holes. The straight fluted bits that came with mine are wonderful. Plus it's just so much fun to use.
I refurbish old tools. A friend of mine gave me his grandfather's set of tools in a classic hand made wooden handled tool box. Beautiful tools and one of them was this very screwdriver. Got it and everything else working perfectly. He was an engineer who worked on Dams. One tool was a brace and bit drill that allowed you to drill into corners and tight spaces. Amazing tech!
Wow!
@@tested Ratcheting brace. Handy tool.
My dad had one identical to that and one bigger when I was young. Always loved playing with them as they fascinated me on their mechanism
I've had the longer version since the 70s. Renovated my first house with it and still use it occasionally when nothing else will reach.
Adam, you are special. I have a large model and a small version. Both very useful. Thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
My grandpa installed doors, cabinets and windows in new homes around Washington DC for years. He had several of theses tools at different lengths. I’d play with them when visiting. I was fascinated. Also, got some skin coughs in the mechanism a few times, Ouch! Good memories.
Another daytonian here, if you come to the Air Force museum plan to spend a whole day there simply for wandering, as there is so so much in those hangers. Including a great deal of rocketry and space travel exhibits that I am sure would fascinate you Adam!
I’m not an electrician but do a lot of DIY electrical work at home. These are invaluable for taking off face plates, receptacles, etc when you are up on a ladder and it’s hard to keep your drill handy on your tool belt. Love these screwdrivers and the design, great to see one in Adam’s collection!
I am similar age to Adam and my grandfather also had 3 or 4 of the Yankee screwdrivers. He also had a Makita 9.4v cordless drill, this was around 1982.
My father, a carpenter from his teenage apprenticeship to retirement, had a 12” Yankee in his toolkit and it was his go-to even when battery drills were commonplace.
Thank you! I loved this video! When I was a little girl my very gentle kind natured papa had passed away. But in the sewing room appeared his many many tools from way back. (He was born January of 1900) I used to study the tools which I was very interested in and try to figure out how they worked or what they were used for! Your new to you gifted tool is like one my father had. So it brought back memories. Maybe that experience is why my dream when I was younger was to be either a nurse or an inventor. Thanks again 🥲🌷👍
I have one of these Stanley Yankee screwdrivers that has a plastic handle that hollows inside and holds several different bits with a screw on cap on the end. I picked mine up from an older friend of the family who'd passed away. I've used it a few times so far along with a Carpenters Bit Brace Hand Crank Drill and some vintage planes, several draw knives and other vintage woodworking hand tolls from the same old guy.
I literally just got a yankee screwdriver from my dad this weekend! It was my grandfathers and I’m almost certain it’s the exact same one!! Such a cool tool!
I use to have one of these from my grandfather but haven't seen it in years they are satifising use
My dad was an Electrician back in the 60's until about 2000. I remember seeing him use this type screwdriver wiring up a houses. I remember playing with it. If you remember in the Blues Brothers movie. Elwood used one of these to torch the elevator.
I have one. I inherited it after my grandfather passed. I have many fond memories of him using it. The original bits are very difficult to find. There are hex bit adapters, but the originals are where its at. I refinished a cedar chest that he built and used the same Yankee driver on the slotted brass screws that I'm sure he used about 75 years ago. It was a fun experience.
Elwood Blues uses one in the elevator scene to open the panel.
My first thought was exactly that scene!
Same. Glad I’m not alone!
Funny you said your Grandfather had one, cause mine did too! I was always fascinated by this particular tool when I went to visit him every summer.
The wear pattern in the paint on the screwdriver handle is giving me hardcore flashbacks to helping my dad with various small-scale carpentry projects around the house when I was a kid. A lot of his hand tools were passed down to him from his grandfather.
You didn’t mention the third position that locks the extension. Or the knurled ring that locks the extension closed. Or the use as a ratchet screwdriver with the extension closed. Steve
I ha both small one like this and one of the large ones as well
The USAF museum is amazing! They have a B-36 inside, and with the XB-70, which looks like something Gerry Anderson could have designed for "Thunderbirds". So many more great aircraft, it's well worth the trip.
Yeah for the Yankee Screwdriver
Gerry was a genius
Thunderbirds Are GO!
I still have mine from the 80'. the full length version.
I have one of those, same colour handle and everything! It belonged to my grandfather, then my father and now I am its custodian. I was fascinated as a kid by how it worked.
Thank you so much for this video. This tool has been a grail item for me for years. I just got around to watching this the day before yesterday, then yesterday, by chance, I stumbled on to one at a Goodwill of all places in a bundle of other old hand tools wrapped in cellophane tape for $7.49!
It seems the universe just wanted me to catch a W.
I have installed thousands of doorsills using a Yankee SD, working with my dad. Great tool, great design. Perfect for the off-grid crowd.
Have a NOS one with ALL the bits available plus the Stanley pump drill also with all the bits. Not very useful today but amazing mechanism. Just part of my antique and/or outdated hand tools. A pleasure to use them from time to time. 😊
I HAVE ONE OF THESE! It belonged to my late father and it fascinated me as a kid and I do believe it looks just like this one.
Dan Aykroyd used one of these in the blues Brothers movies. As soon as i saw that as a kid i was mesmerized. Now as an adult i have 2 of them and boy are they cool!
As a young boy in the 1960's , I would go along with my Dad on weekends to help him install aluminum windows, doors and awnings. This Yankee screwdriver was a key tool he used.
My dad had one of those! Only got to use it a few times, but I loved messing with it to see it's action.
Yes!!! Glad you mentioned the Brazil ref, that's what I think of when I see these. I've two of these, they're pretty dope.
I have the full set of these from the smallest from the largest use them all the time. Fantastic piece of kit!
I had my Grandfather's "Yankee Screwdriver." It waa a wonderful tool.
My Dad (in his 80s) still has a large one of those in his shed, I've used it many times over the years.
I got my dad's. It looks exactly the same, color wear and tear. Haven't used it in years but will never leave my toolbox.
Fond memories
I have one of those from my late dad who was an electronic tech. I use to play with it when i was a kid in the 70s
I have one of those. It was my grandfather's. I believe it's in my dad's shed in my old toy box.
I have three sizes of these and they are as useful as battery tools are now, but never dead! And Adam I have been to the AF colletion twice, all day, and still never saw the WWI stuff, the Presidential aircraft were in a hangar on base and many missiles and other stuff was still outside! Been nearly 20 years!
I remember my grandad had one of those and I remember playing with it because I was fascinated with how it worked
I saw one of these in my dad's toolbox when I was like 10 years old and I didn't know how it worked. Neat to finally learn!
As a Yankee, I've seen these since I was a young boy here in New England. Great vid Adam, keep up the great work!
My dad had one of these when i was a kid. One of the tools he didn't mind me playing with. Never knew the name till now.
Still got my dad's full size one. I'm 65 & remember 'playing' with it as a child, unlocking the collar & seeing it shoot out to full length with a loud clunk.
Daytonian here. You'll LOVE the USAF Museum; it's a much more "close" museum than the Smithsonian. Want to sit in an SR-71 cockpit? Stand on the exact spot in Air Force One where Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office? Walk through a B-17? You can do all of that and more there!
Also make sure to have some Marion's pizza and Skyline coney dogs for the good regional food stuff. 👍
Dear Adam
I have one of those screwdrivers and it does get regular use. I made an adapter to fit in the socket end that allows use of standard hex screwdriver tips which makes it much more versatile especially for use of the best screw head type in the world - The Canadian Robertson tapered square head.
I've got 2 of these sitting in a box next to my desk right now. Both are larger, around 40cm unextended. Got a bunch of vintage tools I'm gonna be selling soon and they're amongst it
My Dad had one and I loved using it. I wish he had kept it along to pass on to me. I have many of his tools but didn't notice this was missing until now. Now I'm kind of sad......
I still remember the first time I saw one of those. In the Blues Brothers, Elwood uses one to take the elevator's button panel off.
Had mine 30 plus years . Have the big one also , amazing tool . The tool to have before power tools took over.
I've been using a Yankee screwdriver for years. Love them.
My dad worked for Stanley Tools, back in the 60s, so he had all sorts of things like this which I’ve inherited. One of the variations on the spiral ratchet screwdriver is one without a return spring which was supposedly for glaziers so that the business end wouldn’t fly out and break the glass (or possibly, it was a defective one with a broken or missing spring and I was a gullible child!)
My dad has one of these, it was his go-to driver for many years!
My Father (a German cabinet maker from post WWII) had a couple those types of screwdrivers along with hand powered drills I now own them and enjoy them as well
My dad a plasterer by trade had two of these the version in the video and the longer version , I used to play with them as a kid they just fascinated me . Amazing trip down memory lane ,I will check because I rather think even at 87 he still has one of them .