1930s Thor Gun Drill [Restoration]

The restoration of this 1930s pneumatic Thor gun-style drill made by the Independent Pneumatic Tool Co. was not supposed to happen.
When my basement flooded this tool was exposed to enough water to make it rust. Luckily, the tool is mostly aluminum, so not too many parts were affected.
I decided to use rust remover and sand-blasting to make sure all parts were de-rusted. I gave everything a decent polish, even the brass name plate. I am fairly sure the drill used grease instead of oil, but I decided that oil would be enough for the use it's going to get.
The drill runs very well now and makes noises like a jet-engine and R2-D2 had some fun. I chose to let you all hear the drill without any sound editing.
I'd like to thank Evapo-Rust for sponsoring this video. The drill needed a good soak as I couldn't reach all the steel parts!
This seems close to the original patent: pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=...
Help secure more tools for future videos (if you want):
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[@ButteredSlightly]

Moment of Silence for the Machinist that made that one solid piece

[@namAehT]

No way it's actually a solid piece. I give 10:1 odds that the fins are heat shrunk onto the shaft. If it's similar metals and done well, the joint basically vanishes to the eye. EDIT: Watched again. At 2:19 you can see a slight seam between the turbine and shaft.

[@willysworld1018]

Plot twist : it’s casted

[@arthurmernard5879]

Wouldnt it be cast

[@TheHatchetJack]

I don’t know about anyone else but I love the brass plates on the older tools really gave it that something extra

[@VintageGearMan]

Big time! Agree.

[@christianlucatino1910]

Wow not only does it look fantastic with the polish it’s really effective. I didn’t think it would drill that well.

[@Phoenix0397]

I love how silly he got at the end. I was wondering when the silly would start and then it didn't stop. awesome work man

[@kellphil76]

Ddfxčxx

[@mgmg3561]

Nice combination of technical skills + good sense of humour. Besides, no stupid commentaries and/or no ridiculous "soundtracks". 👏👏👏

[@eduardolarrymarinsilva76]

Why you all hate music?

[@oldschool1993]

Adolescent sense of humor- You Tube is inundated with wannabe comedians, sadly the restoration videos suffer from it.

[@wolfywolf6795]

I just want to say THANK YOU for NO Annoying music or other crap with this great vid!!! Very good job on it's recovery!

[@HandToolRescue]

+Wolfy Wolf Thank you!

[@bubblywaters3116]

Best video ever! A man working his tool with his hands and never says a word. Lots of cleaning and lube involved with twisting, turning, and pulling to get it off. I learned a lot. It's incredible how many different tools you used to manipulate your tool in just the first five minutes of this video. Like I said I learned a lot. Thank you. I love TOOLS!

[@z777luck777z]

Awesome! I didn't notice a lick of drill wobble when it was free spinning in the chuck, such amazing quality and craftsmanship in all these tools you rescue!

[@fasteddieskustoms]

Congrats it was only a matter of time before evapo-rust was gonna sponsor you...your videos are the perfect candidate for promoting rust removal

[@HandToolRescue]

Thank you! I think it's a good fit. I'm not interested in promoting anything that I haven't tried for a while or isn't related to the channel (cough**matresses**cough).

[@fasteddieskustoms]

lol...yeah those sellouts crack me up

[@richardhunter9995]

I'm in the process of restoring a South Bend Heavy 10 lathe that got a little bit "weathered" and bought some evapo-rust after seeing you use it long before they sponsored you. It's nice to buy a product that actually does what it claims.

[@MrHellfinger]

Evapo-rust! I was impressed by this product for sure. Someone told me that they run it through a filter (coffee filters or something ??) to clean out the particles and grit and then reuse it a bit more.

[@billmyke746]

What a beautiful tool. Art Deco squared. Thanks for saving her brother.

[@406751]

You know, I suffer a lot from anxiety and depression. Your videos are so relaxing and soothing… They help out a lot. Thanks man

[@daanpas4428]

Same here!!! Safe place it is here

[@baptiste_boo]

KZbin is my happy place, I suffer the same

[@GLXTBro]

Wish we could turn back time, to the good 'ol days. Back when to tool designs were a form of art.

[@alonmalyn7997]

I would much rather walk around with a piece of art like this, then the plastic Star Wars toys we use now. Their 1000x better, but damn the elegance got stomped to earth's core..

[@poyo3582]

@@alonmalyn7997 that's what you would say until you cant find any use for it today

[@thomasarussellsr]

The "dad-jokes" on Thor and "gun" drill are priceless (except for the cost/value of the sacrifices).

[@TheGoodoftheLand]

YES! Love the polish! The handle is cool!

[@christopherscustoms3722]

Are you daft ?

[@TheGoodoftheLand]

Christopher's Customs Yes. Thanks for asking.

[@statgreg]

Polska pozdrawia. Thanks.

[@adtube4186]

Uwielbiam także Polish kobiety Greetings from America. stand strong poland!

[@mndlessdrwer]

It's so awesome that you got a sponsorship from that rust neutralizer company. Their product works well and your channel is, by its nature, a running advertisement for it. Congrats.

[@johnnyq90]

That's an incredibly good looking tool! I've made something similar some years ago, but people kept telling me how impractical it was. Now seeing this and how old it is, I guess they were wrong. Nice job man!

[@HandToolRescue]

+JohnnyQ90 haha exactly! Thank you. It does look super cool. All the old Thor tools do.

[@smallmoneysalvia]

I thought the concept was familiar! Though, I do like your nitro drill idea more.

[@davisjames8484]

+Hand Tool Rescue if you're using brake cleaner a lot might I suggest buying a jug of it and using a refillable pressurizable portable handheld sprayer it's amazing

[@andrewramsay7934]

can u reproduce an 90 year old drill,, I doubt that

[@smallmoneysalvia]

FATT FUKR can u typ a sentnc,,?! i thunk nutt

[@CommanderAMB]

Thank hell AvE made me take a look at your awesome channel! I'm subbed since about half a year and enjoy every single of your restauration/rescues! DAMN NICE work on this pneumatic drill! It's so good to see that old, rare and unique tools land in your worthy hands and get a new life! My compliment!

[@HandToolRescue]

Welcome and thank you!

[@chrisconway8163]

Each time you restore a tool I marvel at the lack of plastic. Nicely done.

[@hermanmarzette7661]

D'oh 😊

[@HABU]

Nice work bro!

[@jrodpadilla22]

Great work! I was going to suggest after sandblasting, maybe you can switch the media out of the cabinet and use like a #10 glass bead media. That'll peen the metal, clean it up and bring back a shine; which would in turn negate using a die grinder with sanding and buffing discs. You can go straight to the buffing wheel.

[@wolvesr4ever38]

A beautiful piece of History it's what makes the world go around and how we got established thank you

[@TheOldgeezah]

They really knew how to make gnarly tools in those days. Love 'em

[@4DIYers]

Such a satisfying video to watch!

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

Love it! No music. No unnecessary narration. Just you and the work. Plus the occasional sound effect which is pretty funny. Thumbed up!

[@armanrgun47]

skookum as frig - a joy and a beauty forever

[@thnksno]

Nice! I don't live far from where Thor made their products under Aurora Automatic Machine Company/Speedway/Thor. I regularly run across Thor products at auctions, etc. In fact, I'm certain I have a few massive sized drills in nice shape. Once I bought a box of Thor Wire Wrapping Tools from the early 60's, there were the tools and various parts for them in the box, they were all in like new/unused condition. I put one up on ebay just to see if there was any interest and a fella bought it. He used to use the tool in the 60's and had been looking for one for many years. He ended up buying the lot from me, didn't even try to talk me down from the price of the first one. When I see heavy Thor tools in nice condition, I buy them, so I'm certain there's 3-4 of them floating around the shed!

[@HandToolRescue]

I'll always buy Thor stuff if I see it. It looks so nice.

[@masterbaits4578]

say would you be interested in shipping anything outside the US?

[@bildo99ify]

@@HandToolRescue but it doesn't have Bluetooth.

[@bgoodellynp]

Great video as always. I'd like to say I appreciate you consistently writing an interesting description for your videos. They add a lot.

[@HandToolRescue]

Thanks! I'm glad someone reads them, haha.

[@BlueLineofthesky]

Why I am fascinated of these kind of videos? Not to mention I really apreciate the fact that you save this amazing tool after it was so used in so many years of work....Is like a humanitarian act. Love it. Thank you for doing this.

[@HandToolRescue]

Thank you!

[@yuramiah]

How many subscribers do you need to post a video of you sanding back your workbench?

[@atomicboomstick2543]

yuramiah Well used ones have more character imo.

[@frankpace6767]

I'll run it through my drum sander for you

[@HandToolRescue]

I feel like my bench top would get up and slap me in the face if I did that. The amount of chemicals and oils have made it sentient.

[@yuramiah]

Hand Tool Rescue so.. 1 mil and a face shield? 😁

[@aussiebloke609]

What, and lose that patina??? :-D

[@BarryIrwin]

Loved the Tool sacrifice!

[@razorvla]

Barry Irwin I didn't understand what it was

[@BarryIrwin]

Razorvla I think it was since it was a Thor drill @handtoolrescue played a little with the Norse mythology

[@HandToolRescue]

Haha thanks!

[@jamestralston]

Well, other than the facts that you didn’t lube properly, used the wrong blast media, didn’t polish properly, didn’t use proper PPE, didn’t protect the polished aluminum, and chose the wrong tools to sacrifice, it was an AWESOME rescue with an AWESOME result!! Loved seeing your face - and especially loved the “shout out” to Jude. Outstanding!

[@HandToolRescue]

Haha, thanks!

[@nathancourbin4853]

Probably the best old tool restoration video I've seen on KZbin ! awesome

[@wayneburchwell1977]

I would enjoy a video of you restoring your poor bench.

[@fasteddieskustoms]

btw how long do you typically leave your resto's in the evapo-rust solvent?

[@HandToolRescue]

Only a few hours if it's fresh.

[@liveactionhookups3822]

This is probably my favorite tool so far. Very cool to see you bring it back to life

[@randymagnum6680]

Beautiful work as always. Still love your sense of humor. I wish a manufacturer would make modern tools in retro steel style like this.

[@b00573d]

Patreon squadddd! That polished aluminum looks soooo good!

[@shreks_loins3963]

b00573d I think it’s magnesium, could be either or

[@shreks_loins3963]

Elle Byrd thanks, stuff like that I cool to see

[@mightymalikie]

Good catch on the left hand thread at the 4:45 mark Most people would of tried to force it and stripped it

[@jacobmello5126]

mightymalikie either that or jammed that bastard so tight that a big pipe wrench and Thor's actual hammer couldn't separate the two!

[@-KTGo-]

[@zfierocious311]

any general advice on how to identify that? when 99.9% of things are right handed, it's tough to make that call, especially when something is tightened down already.

[@icarus901]

usually seen where direction of rotation would otherwise loosen something that's right-hand threaded, especially in something prone to vibration

[@brianargo4595]

zfierocious311 if it's an unknown part I'll generally at least give it a go in the other direction if it won't budge lefty. Even if it's not left hand thread, sometimes torque in the other direction will break corrosion better, and it'll give you some ideas whether it's loosening or not.

[@chaoticlogic588]

That sound is magical.

[@thekidd2013]

What a cool tool. Liked all the antics. You are very worthy oh wise one. Thanks for the rebuild.

[@zain581]

nice polish

[@yarpen86]

I believe he is canadian... not polish ;D

[@yarpen86]

Serio? Coś czuję że, powinien Pan się zaznajomić z koncepcją poczucia humoru... Pozdrawiam.

[@torstenb5248]

🎼 Take a sad drill and make it better.. 🎼

[@jasonskinner1555]

I died that was funny

[@CorrieBergeron]

Remember, don't let it under your skin...

[@Inimbrium]

Ooooooh! NOW I GET IT!!! Came to the comments section specifically for the song reference. Smart.

[@TonyWhite22351]

@@CorrieBergeron then you’ll begin , to make a better !

[@superglue46]

I had no idea such a thing even existed! Love the look of these old tools.

[@acuarofilio]

I have to say that ... since the day I discovered your channel I am amazed by the quality of the restoration you are driving ... my congratulations

[@bobfuller9759]

grease in gearbox?

[@kenzpenz]

That's what I was thinking , didn't want to get picky.....is that #metoo ?

[@adamburns9228]

Yup!

[@52Ford]

Well, I've rebuilt a lot of power tools and most of them I've messed with have grease. Usually some really thick paste that takes FOREVER to scrape out with a screwdriver. It's nice, though, because you don't have to worry about it leaking out, even if you crack the housing. Edit: I'm speaking specifically of my modern power tools. I bet it's cheaper to manufacture a part to hold grease than to hold oil, less concern for sealing it.

[@cheeto4493]

It was a little dark for Nutella. I thought it was licorice chews.

[@utericers5281]

I was thinking the same thing?

[@stephencresswell4760]

Did I miss you oiling/greasing the gearbox during and after assembly? Those gears and bearings must need some lube? Were there no gaskets between the castings? Why no copper grease on any bolts and threads to stop them seizing in the future? You had me worried when you hit the castings with the shot blast and sander. Good result in the end.

[@HandToolRescue]

There wasn't a gasket, but you would think there should be! I did oil it, yes.

[@stephencresswell4760]

Hand Tool Rescue you know the old gasket paper trick? The easy way to make them. Would be cool to see you making them.

[@CapitalNick]

I thought the same thing. Gearbox should have been greased. Oil isn't going to hold up.

[@philbacon5283]

CapitalNick totally agree, oil won't last long, should be packed with grease.

[@DimerNL]

Some nice molykote would make that thing run till the end of times.

[@tonyday7233]

Brilliant job, i can't believe the "Flash Gordon" type handle. The tool gods were certainly hungry that day. Tony, Australia.

[@jamesfield5346]

Honestly, your abilities and work are truly unmatched.

[@gambler8899666]

I can just picture that thing drilling rivet holes on aircraft in WW2.

[@Dr_V]

After this restoration I can picture it still working 50 years from now as well ;)

[@AdnaneElallam]

can you do a tour of your workshop in a future video ?

[@HandToolRescue]

Sure!

[@Ridge911Tube]

If your basement is like mine... "here in this area is a pile of stuff with nowhere to go, over here in this corner is my pile of junk for future use, this shelf holds my supplies of crap, this bin is a receptacle for my miscellaneous leftovers, and this is my workbench... covered in shit."

[@GoldenShaolinNutz]

Brilliant Job Boss Man! Worth the time for a beautiful tool. No need to worry about it for another 80yrs. Ty For the vid.

[@thebatman911]

That was sublime. Do it again!

[@ramosel]

Have you considered using walnut shell in your blast cabinet?? Your media seems a bit aggressive. I remember (as a kid) finding a variant of this drill in the bottom drawer of my dad's tool box. I spent a long time trying to find the power cord for it....

[@binnsbrian]

ramosel. Pay no attention to Metalhead2508. There is a CO2 cartridge in that drawer somewhere. Keep looking.

[@cardboardboxification]

Brian Binns na you guys have it all wrong , you eat a lot of Beens the day before, the tool runs on explosive gas.. with the tube connected to the rear end

[@user-qx7tm5df8j]

it doesnt matter because this idiot FREAKING SANDS DOWN the tool with a disk sander?! what an idiot. he is destroying the whole thing.

[@alonmalyn7997]

Doesn't look destroyed to me. Looks like it came back from being destroyed.. If a disk sander is what it takes, whatever? Its only a mild sand, probably mild paper aswell. That piece of steel had a lot more to endure in its lifetime then a disk sander. Its fine :) Just to be clear, i'm a woodworker/furniture maker and interior/decor builder. I dont know jack shit about this stuff, i just find it very interesting to watch ;)

[@mwce2]

Surprised you don't use soda for your blasting since it will not hurt the finish even on soft electrical.

[@funkophone]

What a handsome tool. You cleaned 'er up beautifully.

[@Splintmat]

I can't get enough of your restorations ans humor. Keep up the great work!!!

[@asvarien]

Drill sounds like it belongs in a dentists office!

[@neonlazer9177]

My thought exactly! Wonder what kind of RPM's it does.

[@vladislav3753]

the same working principle

[@lauram5905]

My whole head hurts just thinking about it :(

[@Heksu77]

Who knows it actually does?

[@jamwheeler]

righty loosey

[@JKITnet]

Lefty tighty...

[@randomyoutuber1237]

James W. That fucked with my sense there haha I was like wtf

[@renardgrise]

Yep... I did a double take too... Was the video reversed?

[@silveravnt]

The threads are backward so the rotation of the gear doesn't back it out.

[@mukhtarsahni7145]

silveravnt .

[@Volvith]

Ah, back when things were engineered to last... And last several lifetimes they did. Amazing restoration of an equally amazing tool, nice job! :)

[@alaric_]

Then they noticed how much more they could sell if everything broke after the year of guarantee... And they never looked back at the 'bad old days' when things lasted from father to son.

[@gusgarcia4098]

Awesome rebuild! Love the work you do.

[@davidjames2788]

Wow, using an actual scraper?? You’ve changed. I miss the Hand Tool Rescue who scraped grime with a chip of wood... sellout.

[@HandToolRescue]

Haha. It's all because I cleaned up a little. I should have left the wood chips on the floor!

[@Nicmadis]

Thought it was the sponsorship causing the channel to jump the rails.

[@frankpace6767]

Or a classic chisel

[@bobbles799]

David James i

[@DimerNL]

In restoration we use whatever we can, i can vouch for the torx drivers for getting that cloth just where you need it to be. XD

[@JackmanWorks]

22:12 I'm so proud of you...

[@HandToolRescue]

Haha why?

[@FishyBoi1337]

@@HandToolRescue I guess we'll never know

[@Inimbrium]

Rumour has it he will take this secret to his grave.

[@tcl379]

Nice job! Beautiful tool, thanks for putting it back to work.

[@Sir_Uncle_Ned]

Holy crap, that Evapo-rust is good stuff!

[@zxggwrt]

I just realized I pester my kids for watching KZbin videos of people playing video games instead of doing it themselves or going outside but what I'm doing now is really no different. Unless it inspires me to go work in the shop or something. Maybe I'll put a TV in there so at least I'll be closer to my projects!

[@rustyaxelrod]

zxggwrt - It don’t help, lol. I’m sitting at my work bench right now.

[@bigal7454]

At 04:29 into the video, how did you figure out that was a left handed bolt?

[@HandToolRescue]

I'm a wizard, but mainly it just wouldn't move the other direction.

[@mousababboud9308]

Big Al

[@feketekrisztian1897]

Very nice and unique! Perfect and precision work! Congratulations!

[@greenthumbprepper8653]

Another well done project. 👍

[@Grimeaper]

Every time the camera goes in and out of focus I hear AVE voice commanding his camera to focus.

[@embers_falling]

That man has singlehandedly changed the way I think. For example, in my head I now always say/think “borsch” instead of Bosch or “milfucky” instead of Milwaukee

[@Grimeaper]

@@embers_falling He has crafted our brains into his liking. He is too powerful.

[@embers_falling]

@@Grimeaper he is indeed too skookum

[@nicolasbrient1181]

Who is Jude ?

[@curtiscarnes2245]

Hand Tool Rescue that’s so awesome we all enjoy ur videos

[@Laz_Arus]

I was singing the Beatles song of that name when I saw it. Glad to see you gave an acknowledgement of a young viewer who is having some life challenges of her own, and I'm sure you put a smile on her face.

[@dietbountyicecream1444]

It also means jew in german. Nazi detected

[@nicolasbrient1181]

DietBounty IceCream oh i know Juda the dude but not that

[@hewfil1]

It's actually Juden.

[@Apathymiller]

boy can ya imagine luggin that thing around the work site all damn day! looks great, you did an awesome job cleaning it up. amazing how much techs improved over the last 75 years. well done bud, well done.

[@RazaRizvi]

This tool looked so cool. Loved that handle of the tool. Love your humor.

[@braydenh190]

Have you ever thought of putting some lenolyum floor on the bench for easier clean up. Maybe try a flooring place and buy a big roll and replace the sheet on the bench as needed. 👍 or 👎 (edit: didn't consider the fact of paint stripper and other corrosive things.......shhhhhit)

[@Excvositorum]

22:15 That face...

[@HandToolRescue]

Scarred for life.

[@billnlori3149]

Holding it sidways...all gangsta like!! The drill looks great and it seems to have a good bit of power too!!

[@TheJamshaw]

Good to see it's warmed up in the shop! Great video. Cheers

[@jmuniz52185]

Viewers with ear beats "BEWARE!" The last bit of the video gets very high pitch! It sounds like a dentist drill. Almost busted my ear drums.😵😬😖...good video tho😊

[@timetable620]

Did we just finally get to see your face????????

[@HandToolRescue]

Nah, that was just some guy.

[@timetable620]

Hand Tool Rescue I don’t believe you lol

[@DavidPlass]

Time Table It's not the first time

[@jacobmello5126]

In a previous video he let slip some information that Seth Rogan does his voice-overs

[@timetable620]

David Plass ok well I have been watching for a while and this is the first time I have noticed

[@codymartin6704]

I'm really grateful to have come across your page! I love every video

[@1Dougloid]

Thor made terrific drills and pneumatic tools. Some of the best ever.

[@PastorRob77]

Love the tool sacrifice! Very clever. Great video.

[@rushishah9568]

Liked the way you brought back the shine on the thor brass plate... SIMPLE But Effective 😍

[@TheFurriestOne]

Beautiful restoration, I wasn't sure about the sand-blasting at first, but it buffed up great!

[@blacksheep25251]

Out of all these awesome videos, I think the real HERO here is that work bench/table. Its almost god-like

[@HandToolRescue]

Bow before it!

[@fimbles1015]

Wonderful stuff as always!

[@brendal5175]

WOW Great work on the "Thor" Air Drill". I would have had a reference to a Clint Eastwood movie at the end. When your "gun" went off. Drilled the holes in an heart shape, "Remember Ramon, Always aim for the heart". Judt me and my love for the old Spaghetti Westerns.

[@katherineuribe2952]

That handle is just the best! 👍🤠

[@mohammadibrahimnehme2723]

This is the best video you have ever posted. Did everything from A to Z And the polishing is amazinngggg Great video 😁

[@fondueman]

The most satisfying channel on youtube.

[@McFunnyBone]

Holy crap that came out beautiful. Looked genuinely fun to use.

[@davidhelmuth7654]

That is soo bad ass! Would like to have a beer with that drill and listen to the stories it could tell!!!

[@davidgeorge488]

This is a beauty. Someone loved it for most of its life before it came to you, it seems. Excellent choice to sand buff and polish the bare metal. Hope your basement stays dry.

[@nomobius1]

Beautiful tool, a work of art!

[@wrnchhead76]

Great job man!

[@paddypoolfc3579]

Best one yet. Awesome

[@bhushanbarve5377]

Oh man great doing yes all machines needs you they waiting for you never stop.you r the saver of machines.god bless you

[@user-fr8di6fs1i]

Something very nice to restore the work of old machines you are a skillful man

[@MazeFrame]

Looks amazing!

[@TheDelightfulCrafter]

I love this one. Sounds like a jet engine... not to mention, we’re nerds in this house and loved your tool sacrifice... lol...

[@tedwitham304]

Great video and that is truly a work beast all day and all night that drill will go and put the new trash to shame . great clean up and demo 😁, Please keep them coming.