Amazing Vintage Tools! The Yankee Screwdriver and Push Drill

[@paulmorris563]

I'm 48 and when i was 17/18 we stiil used these as the electric drills where expensive and the batteries didnt have much power and didn't last very long when we where fitting kitchens and bathrooms. We had massive forearms and biceps driving in 4 and 5 inch screws with the yankees 💪🏻😀

[@sminer8257]

I got a bunch of my grandfather's tools. Drills, planes etc. Love and use them. Circa 1910 1920

[@DIYwithDave]

They just don't make them like they used to.

[@Everydaythoughts7]

Same

[@tstthomason]

I’m definitely not an old-timer (23yo 😅), but I love these tools! I work in musical instrument repair and I have two of them. They’re perfect for the bigger slotted screws on rotary tubas and French horns!

[@DIYwithDave]

That's great! Thanks for sharing.

[@aulii11]

I'm an old timer, and I own both of those tools, purchased in the '70s when I worked in a boatyard. I also have a brace and numerous drill bits and drivers. I haven't used any of them in years, though, because, like you said, there are more convenient modern tools that do the job faster.

[@larryohara6513]

The Yankee SD is really a 2 handed tool. Push with one hand and hold the lower knurled rim (just above the bit) with the other hand to control the bit and keep the drive from 'disconnecting' with the screw. Removing screws is easier and can be done one handed.

[@DIYwithDave]

That's a great tip, thanks!

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Unbelievable I never knew tools like that existed. 🤯

[@DIYwithDave]

I love old, clever tools like this. Very neat!

[@robertlevine2152]

I'm 71 years. My first exposure to Yankee screwdrivers and drills was my father's toolbox. Although I still have a couple of Yankee screwdrivers I was never able to get them to work. They work better when using a properly sized pilot hole. They were not my favorite choice. On the other hand, the push drill was one of my favorite tools. You could drill holes, generally

[@jerrywhitfill2236]

The carpenter I knew in England always used 2 hands (stabilizing at the grooved but holder) and typically used it in a vertical position installing locks and hinges. Using his shoulder and stance to power the driver firmly and quickly. I was a teenager that was fascinated by his craft and knowledge.

[@frankmgallo]

I have the old school versions of both from my grandpa he was a carpenter in the 1920&30’s I use them today on certain detail work and people are amazed at seeing them in use . I believe they are over 70 yrs old

[@MR2Davjohn]

My Dad was a telephone installer for many years. He used the Yankee Drill for screws and holes in every house he went to. There was no power drill then, and he had to make a hole somehow.

[@703am]

yeah, my dad had one of those Yankee screwdrivers, I still have it but never really use it. i sort of just keep it as maybe an antique tool to add to my collection.

[@jvjdrn]

I found a yankee at a construction site when I was little. So cool!

[@leehayes4019]

I like that drill, fun video thanks!

[@DIYwithDave]

Glad you liked it!

[@davidsellon4580]

I remember as a kid watching my grandfather working in his shop; I thought his Yankee screwdriver was the coolest thing in the world. He also had a drill with a wheel on the side and a handle; you cranked the wheel to make the bit spin -- ever come across anything like that?

[@DIYwithDave]

I have seen those. In fact, if you look at the catalog that I show in the video, you will see some listed. They are called ratchet hand drills or ratchet breast drills depending on the type.

[@EggyOrphan]

I've seen them been called "egg beater drill" that tends to get more results when searching for that one...

[@housesOTR]

I'm 70 yrs. old and I have my grandfather's push drill and side rotary drill.

[@tinksfawn08]

I have a Mr. Punch that I got from a vendor at the Round Top Texas Antique & Vintage Show a few years back and have actually used it a couple of times! It came in quite handy when I needed very small holes and didn’t have a drill handy.

[@MattQrillz]

Good old days, Good old ways. Still got my Leytool egg beater and No.130A Push Drill from dad.

[@FisherCatProductions]

My Yankee Jr screwdriver (the cross-spiral shank you have in the video) is one of the first tools I bought for my first real job. It's no substitute for an battery-powered screwdriver if you are putting 100 screws into wood. But I've had mine in my electrical pouch for 50 (ya, five-oh!) years and would not trade it. Light weight, no more bulk than a screwdriver, and no batteries, it makes driving those loooong electrical screws and even shorter face-plate screws,a breeze! I made an adapter from a modern bit-holder after I lost my Yankee Phillips bit. Sort of like me--older but good as new with a replacement eyeball lenses and a new knee.

[@BishjamIC]

As a hobby woodworker and subsequently tool collector, I have a couple. They're not something I use all the time but they have their place. The straight flute bits can be easily sharpened, they work quite well as drills for smaller pilot holes especially with nice sharp bits. Plus they're kind of neat. Very small holes in particular they're less likely to snap off bits than a power drill in my experience.

[@DIYwithDave]

Great tips, thank you!

[@BishjamIC]

Using a spring loaded center punch or an awl can help getting the bit started precisely where you want as well!

[@TomBuskey]

I have that one made in W. Germany. I like the direction change. I use a #41 for pilot holes all the time. I have the 2 longer 130/131 screwdrivers. I like them more than the shorter screwdrivers.

[@edhilton1623]

You noted that the hand brace was better suited for larger holes, which is correct. The push drills were intended to drill pilot holes for screws in hard wood, and the bits were called points. You would have much better results using the yankee screwdriver if you held the ferrule near the bit with your left hand and kept the bit aligned with the screw. Not all yankee screwdrivers had return springs, so holding the ferrule also makes it much easier to extend the tool back to the starting position.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

1:10 Oh! that's the tool Elwood used on The Elevator in The First Blues Brothers movie. 🕵🏿‍♂️

[@DIYwithDave]

I don't remember that. I'm going to have to rewatch it.

[@davidrobinson9972]

He used it to jam the elevator

[@jimdavis8391]

A few of these Yankee drivers have passed through my hands over the years, I'd say youre right, they were used for mechanical applications, not for woodworking. They slip off slotted screws and the ratcheting pawls inside them never seem to work smoothly enough. I've taken at least one apart to clean, modify and grease and improved it but they just don't cut it for fine work. Maybe for roughly assembling packing cases or as you suggest pulling the back off a washer but for joinery work, no thanks!

[@DIYwithDave]

I think you're right!

[@litsci1877]

Really cool! Thanks for the demo. (Some animals do make and use tools, btw.)

[@bbvvali8176]

Old tools like you use where specialized to size of work, for the larger screws for an easy use, i would use a Stanley 130 or even better a Stanley 131, or Millers falls equivalent. Which where way better made. You can find adapters for this tools sold by Lee Valley for all three sizes As for the push drill use only for the small holes (for small hinges, etc) and keep the sharp and they will cut fast.

[@michaelkulczyk8642]

My father had these. He always steadied them his other hand to start them off. Very hard to do one handed.

[@DIYwithDave]

That's a great tip!

[@jerrytammybarger4709]

My Grandpa had a Yankee Screwdriver with scarlet handle. He always used it as a big Screwdriver. I never saw him actuality is it as it was intended and ratcheted it. I switched it one time and the end popped out. I thought I broke it. I've often thought about it when I've worked on different things.

[@billyhighfill]

Multiple species of animals use tools. Monkey and dolphins to name 2. There are others

[@DIYwithDave]

Lol.. fair enough.

[@michaelreid5116]

Corvids included. And they are always watching.

[@StevenBower]

When I was a kid (I'm 62 now) I played with my dad's Yankee screwdriver, and now I've brought it home for the sentiment. However, mine is pretty rusty and stiff and I'd love to take it apart and clean it, but I'm not sure how. The specific screwdriver I have is my Craftsman, made in West Germany, with the number 66594 on the shaft. It's got a longer travel than the one in this video. Anybody have any pointers on dismantling it for cleaning?

[@danalaniz7314]

Makes sense that they would use the screwdriver for appliance repair. My dad had one of the screwdrivers that probably belonged to my grandfather. I've never seen the drill version. "Inventing tools" really depends on your definition. Some birds use thorns to impale their catches and of course monkeys strip twigs and use them to get crawling animals out of holes.

[@EggyOrphan]

The first push drill you mentioned for machinery, does that one have a locking mechanism? I have the same model and don't know what "R O L " mean on it. Thanks

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