Hand Tool Restoration - Perfect Handle Screwdriver Restomod

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

Really enjoyed the restoration. Take a look at this screwdriver being sold on eBay in the UK and see if you think they are made by the same company - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Solbar-P-S-W-12-Perfect-Handle-Style-Screwdriver/223579043929?hash=item340e597859:g:KFIAAOSwtd5dGS1H.

[@357magdad]

I think it is a match!

[@tootall5559]

Certainly seems to look that way. However, this style used to be common like in my grandfather's day. They also had "monkey" wrenches with the same style handle, but not all were made by this company. Maybe they didn't get their patent, I don't know. this used to be very common, maybe they did and licensed it or got huge for a time. Might be interesting to find out.

[@gavintolen5012]

@@tootall5559 A lot of companies have picked up this design, but the original was H.D. Smith who started making them in 1910, although the Perfect handles were made of three patents from as early as 1903. In 1930 H.D. Smith was bought by the Trimont Manufacturing Co. which got the rights to the patents and decided to stop production. in the 40's Irwin would pick up the design and the perfect handle screwdrivers were placed in tank and jeep tool kits. Theres also a lot of perfect handles simply labeled "Germany" that seem to be from around the 60's but i can't be sure. This Solbar perfect handle has a different style rivet and a very different tradition from the handle to the shaft from any other manufacturer. Which makes me confident that the restored screwdriver is indeed a solbar

[@tootall5559]

@@gavintolen5012 thanks for the info. When I was a kid, these were very common, at least the style was, never paid attention to the makers back then. Now you really can't find them just laying around everywhere in every garage like it used to be.

[@13thworker45]

Superb job, the handles turned out great. You did the best you could with the frame.. I really like the fact it’s still around and not landfill. Thank you

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Saving old tools is fun!

[@roybailey9554]

Wow you did a beautiful job, from a vintage Carpenters in England 🇬🇧 👏👏👏best wishes from England.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Roy! I recently did another re-handle I think you'll enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJrSZYyZpJtnldU

[@ivanstiles7030]

The cherry looks great on that. Very nice Magdad

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Man that cherry is some Purdy wood ! Looks great magdad...

[@357magdad]

Cherry is my favorite handle material.

[@johnbren1351]

A thing of beauty. Great job.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! If you like wood handle screwdrivers, I think you'll enjoy Sunday's episode!😉

[@fredporter]

Great job and aesthetically pleasing.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Fred!

[@rpc717]

You weren't joking about the tip - it's perfect! Another great job and thanks for another great video.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I'm really happy with the way that project came out!

[@jeremyfertig4187]

I love old things being brought back to life is a reasonable way...excellent result.

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching Jeremy! Cleaning up old tools is fun!

[@peterfreidel7721]

Oh wow, beautiful!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Peter! I've got another one you may like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJrSZYyZpJtnldU

[@philipchandler330]

Great job learned a lot will follow your fine work!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Phillip! Check out a more recent perfect handle project: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJrSZYyZpJtnldU

[@tomhollis2685]

I just dug up this video and watched it again. I got a perfect handle icepick at an estate sale last Saturday. The scales need to be replaced and I was having some trouble. I knew I had seen somebody's video on it and it turned out to be my old buddy magdad. 😊 I like how you left the scales way oversized and then trimmed down. I'm going to try that way. I was trying to use pieces of an old hickory axe handle for the new scales but they weren't perfectly flat on the bottom and that caused problems. I'll try some square stock on the next attempt. Thanks for the help!

[@357magdad]

I'm glad my video helped Tom! I'd love to see pics of your project! [e-mail]

[@LilasTools]

You could now say this perfect handle screwdriver is perfect!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Lila! Fitting the handles was challenging!

[@adude7050]

Great job. You did excellent work fitting those scales.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! The scales on these are tough to do. The metal isn't flat and each side is different!

[@skinnyweather]

The great thing about using cherry is that it ages so nicely, it’ll just get darker and richer with time. I wish we could have seen some of the wood finishing process, but this video is already longer than most of your others, so I understand. Bravo all around!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Patrick! The cool thing about the danish oil is it is so easy. I wipe it on, let it sit for 15 min, wipe it off and repeat after 24 hours. I like to apply several coats of furniture wax after the danish oil cures for a couple of days.

[@txgunguy2766]

I wish screwdrivers were still made to this design. Stuff actually had style then.

[@357magdad]

I agree. I think computer aided design makes everything look the same. Some of these old tools are like sculpture.

[@timothymallon]

Look up Hand Tool Rescue. There is still someone who makes them

[@RandomRestore]

Wonderful restoration Magdad! I just acquired my first perfect handle. Thank you for inspiring me.

[@357magdad]

Perfect handle screwdrivers are awesome!

[@RandomRestore]

@@357magdad agree.. I can hardly wait remove "patina"

[@jackthompson2132]

Beautiful job Magdad! That is awesome 👏 Thank You for sharing!!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jack! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@RobertBosworth]

Thanks so much for posting this. I just got a perfect handle screwdriver in rough shape. Having some trouble replicating the wood. I like the way you did it so I think I’ll try it your way. Great job!

[@357magdad]

I'm glad my video helped! Good luck with your project!

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Yep, great result. I like the way you waited until you found a screw driver that was pretty well buggered and ready for the bin before modifying it. So many others rip the wood off just so they can make their own version. Such a waist. I would definitely be proud of that. Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺

[@357magdad]

Thanks Stuart! Most of the stuff I find at yard sales and flea markets goes up on ebay. Changing out the wood, although it made screwdriver prettier, took the value to basically zero. I'll be keeping this one!

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

357magdad. I agree but as you say, only from a monetary and possibly historical point but you did save a tool that was headed for the garbage and made it a family heirloom. Well done. 👍👍

[@marcmckenzie5110]

My friend I share your, and many other viewers in our community's love for old perfect handled screwdrivers. A true gent on Etsy sometimes sends me an occasional tool he finds picking - he doesn't normally pick for tools. What little of the wood remained, disinegrated simply washing off the tool with a little Krud Kutter - it would not have survived. I almost always keep original wood, even partially, in a restoration. Anyway I am faced with almost an identical restoration, and how great is it to have a buddy post a how-to video. Now, I just need to find a little medium walnut... Nice restoration. The cherrywood is beautiful, and so is the whole screwdriver!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Marc! This was one of my favorite projects! Good luck with your screwdriver!

[@hashbestus8502]

THANK YOU!!! I have 3 of these screwdrivers as I also LOVE them! Nothing can beat the material quality and craftsmanship of “antique” tools! I have some dark walnut that I’m going to use to create the handles. I had already tried once and it was a pretty epic FAIL! I’m going to follow your steps and take my time. Thanks again for sharing! Looking forward to watching more on your channel!

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching! The dark walnut should look great! Good luck with your project!

[@stephenkent8903]

Great job Magdad

[@357magdad]

Thanks Stephen! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@richardmadsen115]

I love old tools, well done, thanks for the video and your narration.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Richard! This was a very rewarding project!

[@tonylenge424]

Yes, I did enjoy that. Just found two perfect handle screw drivers with no wood, so this video will come in handy. Nice job, thanks.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tony! Replacing the wood scales was a challenging but fun project!

[@Rusty_ok]

Great attention to detail with incredible results. You have a tool that will last for decades and it is beautiful.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Rusty Gun! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@upsidedowndog1256]

That turned out nice. I was not aware of this type of screwdriver until scoutcrafter's videos. I have been looking for some but have not found any yet. The mix of materials makes them special!

[@357magdad]

I love perfect handle screwdrivers! I can usually find them for a buck or two at the engine show flea markets.

[@robertesposito9739]

Sweet restoration! Handles came out really nice.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Robert! This is one of my favorite projects!

[@virginiagonzalez1138]

That really turned out beautiful. A thing to behold!

[@357magdad]

Thank you! I think steel, wood and brass really look great together!

[@ScoutCrafter]

That was awesome! The funny thing is we buy a bunch of perfect handle screwdrivers for future projects but after restoring just one you realize how much is involved and they sit on the back shelf! I rarely see people restoring many of these because of the work involved! =) Those handles are a PITA but yours came out great! Thanks N!

[@357magdad]

Thanks ScoutCrafter! I'm really happy with how this project turned out. I've got another smaller one that needs handles. I want to try a different wood - maybe walnut!

[@ScoutCrafter]

@@Weaver_Drafting Bob- You've seen MagDad in person! I bet he could snap that screwdriver in half! =D

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Nice job on the screwdriver.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Randy! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@johnfix1]

Great job on the restore. Like you I love wood handled screwdrivers. I just got a bunch of them cheap just so I can restore for fun.

[@357magdad]

Thanks John! I've been in a wood handled screwdriver phase lately!

[@stevef8993]

Beautiful restoration!! The color in the handle is perfect! Video is a great example for when I finally get to the ones I have!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Steve! I really like the way the cherry turned out!

[@lotsabirds]

That came out GREAT!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Bill! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@AwesomeRestorations]

Beautiful tool. Nicely restored 👌👍

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@stevewalker7822]

Absolutely awesomely done!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Steve! I'm really happy with how this project turned out!

[@stormkhan4250]

Great work on the restore. I really like the cherry handle. I restored a number 6 perfect handle screwdriver last year when I found it in my dad's old tools. Like yours it had been quite abused. The shaft was bent in 2 places, the wood was in bad condition, one of the pins was lost and replaced with a nail and the tip looked like it had been used as a scraper or chisel...ouch. I replaced the scales with silky oak which gave it an interesting new look and refurbished the entire thing like you did and bright polished it too. I was told later by my father in law that these tools were supposed to be matte black and not shiny silver! Doh! Anyway, wondering if you or anybody might know the maker of mine - it had a crossed pliers on a shield logo under the wood scales and the faint remnants of a makers mark that looks like 'Woodline' and a made in Germany mark on it too.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Storm! Great job bringing that old screwdriver back to life. I bet that old screwdriver likes its new polished finish! I am not familiar with that tool marking.

[@shawnataylor7998]

Beautiful...well done.

[@357magdad]

Thank you! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@uktony1525]

Awesome restoration, I agree with Scoutcrafter that remaking the handles is a job and a half and definitely puts me off.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tony! The project was a little more difficult than others, but the results made it worth it for me!

[@FixitRestoreit]

Very nice job 👌 Part of that makers mark looks very similar to the one I have, guess we will find out when I work on it!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I usually spend a bunch of time researching the maker's mark, but since I modified this one, it wasn't as important to me. I'm looking forward to seeing how your screwdriver turns out!

[@scotthaddad563]

Excellent choice of wood! Congratulations on the resurrection of an otherwise neglected and disposable beautiful vintage tool.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Scott! That's my favorite part of the hobby - spotting the gems in the rough!

[@chiplane3976]

Wow! What a great resto - love your videos. Thanks for sharing this project!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Chip! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@ZmarleneZ]

beautiful job magdad

[@357magdad]

Thank you! It is almost to nice to use now!

[@mrbenmall]

That was spectacular. Really really beautiful. I totally think you should find another Perfect Handle and make an icepick. Great video.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Ben! I've been wanting to replace the wood on one of these for a long time. If I find one in really bad shape, I may consider the ice pick conversion.

[@dennispope8160]

I may have one in bad enough shape, I’ll try to go down to the shop tomorrow and see. Of course shipping would probably cost more then just finding one at a garage sale locally.

[@mred8002]

Love those hundred year old screwdrivers: they seem to feel far better in the hand than ridged plastic. The cherry is great, and well done. I used gun blueing on the steel of one I did to prevent rust forming.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Mr. Ed! The handle feels, well, perfect! LOL I really like the look of cherry finished with the danish oil. I may try some walnut next.

[@bubachad]

Отличное восстановление 😍👍🏻

[@357magdad]

благодарю вас! Спасибо за просмотр! Thanks you! Thank you for watching!

[@BigPete7407]

absolutely beautiful restoration! you hit it out of the park! thanks, Pete

[@357magdad]

Thanks Pete! This project really came out nice for me!

[@oncewaslost1982]

My favorite video yet. I love that it was 9 minutes long. Thst turned out great. I cant get enough screwdriver resto videos. Great work!

[@357magdad]

Thanks oncewaslost! I don't like my videos to run too long, but I had a lot of work to cover!

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Great video 👍

[@williammcguire3rd]

Awesome job!! Turned out beautiful!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks WM3! I really like the look of the cherry!

[@805ROADKING]

Mighty fine lookin' Dad!! I have a bunch of those Drivers with bad handles I should fix, they're nice tools!!☺

[@357magdad]

Thanks RoadKing! Every time I see a perfect handle screwdriver at the the flea market or yard sale for a buck or two it follows me home!

[@johnviewer2305]

These types of screwdrivers are great for gunsmithing...fits the screws to keep from curling the tops...and have seen some people file just to fit exact....great video tho...

[@michaelpugh4894]

Nice tear down and clean up. Beautiful restoration.

[@357magdad]

Thank you! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@jeffreymilarsky3246]

Wonderful restoration!!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jeffrey! This was a fun project!

[@tootall5559]

Beautiful. The only think I can think of that might make it better if you're actually going to use it is put a hollow grind on the blade. I'm pretty sure that is, but for those that don't, it's a way of grinding the blade in a concave fashion so that the blade fits in the slot exactly, and tends to strip it out less.

[@miguelcastaneda7236]

toot tall its a old irwin..they werent hollow ground.. had a set guys loved to borrow ...and keep

[@tootall5559]

@@miguelcastaneda7236 that don't mean it can;t be hollow ground to make it better function over form

[@johnfix1]

Nice video with a lot of instructions. Screwdriver is beautiful.

[@357magdad]

Thanks John! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@GT_Racer347]

Very satisfying to watch!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Nixy! It was a very satisfying project!

[@Blougheed]

you did a really great job!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! This was a fun project!

[@OldSneelock]

I like how you recycled the cherry. I wonder how many times we store a bit of wood just waiting for the right use only to have it tossed out after years of collecting dust.

[@357magdad]

Seems like every time a make a wood handle it's cherry, but that's because I have a bunch of it!

[@ArmandoLoni]

Yep... It's the Trinity again!! Lovely..... 👍🏻

[@357magdad]

Steel, wood, brass! Amen!

[@Stevegetslucky]

Wow, that screwdriver had done some work. That cherrywood looks great. Came out looking a million bucks.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Steve! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@Resto-Rob]

You did a great job on this restoration. 👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Rob! I've been wanting to do this project since May! I think this is one of my favorite projects so far!

[@SteveMcQuillin]

Beautiful job, very satisfying process and result!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Steve! I'm really happy with the way this project turned out!

[@norman3605]

Excellent!

[@357magdad]

Thank you! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@TheThriftyWoodworker]

That is amazing. Great job. Love the cherry handle.

[@357magdad]

Thanks KISS! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@frankg3072]

Excellent restoration. The handle seemed very difficult and you did a great job 👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Frank! Getting the wood to fit tightly was difficult. I sanded a little, test fit, sanded a little, test fit, etc for quite a while!

[@roybailey9554]

Looks like a Solby of Sheffield England

[@NashRathbone]

Absolutely fantastic, I only hope my perfect handle screwdrivers come out that good.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Nash! Getting those scales to fit was a long process!

[@62forged]

Beautiful

[@357magdad]

Thanks! This was a fun project!

[@huntingfishingpraying8962]

Very nice.

[@glengrossnickle4985]

Excellent job. For me the best part was the handle. The job you did on those scales was perfect. I have been looking for a perfect handle screwdriver but no luck yet. But I was looking over some old rusty tools in a box my son had got at a auction. And I found a perfect handle monkey wrench in it. Great now i can try it. Don't have to replace the handle but I think I need to oil the handle after sanding it. What wood you use. Or would you lacquer it. Thanks

[@357magdad]

Thanks Glen! I like to really soak the old wooden handles in boiled linseed oil. I think it slightly swells the wood to make them fit tighter. I've got a couple engine show coming up in Sept and Oct. Shoot me an e-mail I might be able to help you with your search. [e-mail]

[@tomcarlson3244]

Very nice job. I like you show products you are using.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tom!

[@triune_blades]

Amazing work! Great music choice as well.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Thios project is one of my favorites!

[@2dividedby3equals666]

What a great job!! As Anonymous98 previously stated, it is indeed a Solbar by Pexto. I think this is one of my favorite restoration from you so far!! It looks brand spanking new!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks 2/3! This was one of my favorite projects as well!

[@robertreid7221]

Superb restoration. Dont know about a tool box that should be in a glass fronted presentation case

[@357magdad]

Thanks Robert! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@RS4393]

Great job. Looks almost new, in a way better. Love the Cherry scales..

[@357magdad]

Thanks Russell! I'm thinking about doing another one with walnut scales.

[@jukeboxhero1649]

I totally agree with you. That's a real screwdriver

[@357magdad]

The old designs have an artistic flair to them that the newer computer generated stuff can't match.

[@jukeboxhero1649]

@@357magdad I believe people would buy really good-looking tools just for the Aesthetics if you could get them into Home Depot or Ace Hardware

[@RESTORATIONOFSCRAPMETAL]

Cool project and Great job buddy 👍Subscribed

[@357magdad]

Thanks for watching and subscribing! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@planejet42]

Incredible job! It turned out great!

[@johnmclaurin]

That was just an excellent job, wish I had the courage to try one, maybe later....Keep up the awesome videos!

[@357magdad]

Thanks John! I started out replacing wood handles on some beat up knives I won on ebay.

[@stewartew]

Great looking job, those handles as well as the rest are "perfect".

[@357magdad]

Thanks Ernie! I love these screwdrivers!

[@chuckB9679]

That looks awesome!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Chuck! Check out my more recent perfect handle project: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pam0dadqhNJqnZI

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

That's looking Great now MagDad, Lovely work 👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Sparky! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

I can see why 👍

[@Dardrum]

Very nice job

[@MadStiles]

Love Perfect Handle Screwdrivers! Great restoration!

[@357magdad]

Thanks madstiles I love them too!

[@DavidPlass]

Looks beautiful!

[@357magdad]

Thanks David! These screwdrivers were wonderful deign - almost art!

[@DavidPlass]

@@357magdad Truth be told, when I saw "resto mod" in the title I half expected (& dreaded) metallic lime green and magenta sparkly paint. Was happy to see that wasn't the case. :)

[@357magdad]

@@DavidPlass That would be almost "modern art" LOL I used "restomod" because I didn't want viewers to be upset when I cut off the original rivets and replaced the original wood.

[@alanmullock381]

Great bit of work buddy,stunning!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Alan! That's a lot of thumbs up!

[@coryfarris3936]

Great job!

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@timothynewkirk2654]

MagDad, you're a tool resto genius! ...Newk from Kentucky

[@357magdad]

Thanks Newk! I'm really happy with the way this project turned out!

[@davidfinn3771]

Excellent

[@357magdad]

Thanks David!

[@boriszegarra7382]

Nice job,,,

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@texasj49]

So nice. Really great work. ~Jeff

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jeff! I'm really happy with the way this project turned out!

[@tfknauss]

Awesome job! nice video!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Todd! This was one of my favorite projects!

[@walterchristen4502]

Really nice job.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Walter!

[@socal_expat1856]

Great job, all the way around. Beautiful finit

[@357magdad]

Thanks Terry! I really like the danish oil + furniture wax finish.

[@sonercanbaz5911]

Beautiful!!!!

[@TheCar1ter]

Nice job Magdad!!! Who needs a Dake?

[@357magdad]

Thanks Thomas! Magdad power! LOL

[@DirtandRust]

That's some Beautiful work there my friend :] Loving the cherry wood....Thumbs up!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks D&R! I've had this project on the back burner since May. I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

[@jbiz8450]

Very Nice! I have one I have started but I haven gotten time to finish it. I have a nice piece of black walnut im planning to use for the handle scales.

[@357magdad]

Walnut would look great!

[@dennispope8160]

I’m glad this was on my recommended videos page. You’ve easily earned another subscriber here. Keep doing what you’re doing.

[@357magdad]

Thank you for subscribing. I hope you enjoy my content.

[@Traderjoe]

The best one I’ve seen! 👍🏻

[@357magdad]

Thanks traderjoes! This was one of my favorite projects!