Millers Falls No. 59 Ratchet Screwdriver

[@357magdad]

Use coupon code CHUCK and save 20% on your www.flitz.com order!

[@woodworkerroyer8497]

I'm curious if you have any experience with the "brass" finish you get by heating steel and then wire brushing it with a brass brush. If so, do you know if it is more or less durable or rust resistant than bare steel (or equivalently treated steel)? I bought some screwdrivers because of your channel, and I'm curious if that might be a good looking finish, or if it would be a terrible idea and just make more work down the line.

[@357magdad]

@@woodworkerroyer8497 I used that technique on my King Dick project: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYu3mquGoZt6gck It's a thin decorative coat, not the same as plating.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Quite possibly your best restoration to date! Absolutely fantastic job! I have the earlier model of this! 😃👍

[@357magdad]

Wow! Thanks ScoutCrafter! I think this is my longest video. It was a challenging project. I think I like the older handle design better.

[@larrycroft470]

@@357magdad That is high praise coming from The Godfather of tool restoration Magdad!! Well deserved Brother!!

[@davidcoats1037]

That turned out gorgeous!! Love Miller’s Falls Tools. Love that Bombay mahogany and love everything about this video. I spoke to the elders and you have now reached expert level. Take care 😃👍🏼

[@357magdad]

Thanks for putting a good word in for me with the elders David!

[@scharferschnitt1071]

awesome job on that little guy. Everyone would be proud owning one of these thanks for sharing

[@357magdad]

Thanks! It is a cool little screwdriver!

[@johnmclaurin]

Beautiful job! “I have a Dremel and I’m not afraid to use it!” Classic line!

[@357magdad]

Thanks John! I get a lot of use out of my Dremel!

[@mercuryrising9174]

The way they designed tools 60 plus years ago is so imaginative. Nobody would think of putting a woodruff key in a screwdriver now. I cannot belive how those plugs disappeared great job brother Beautiful outcome.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! The ratchet mechanism is very similar to the North Brothers design.

[@briansworkshop01]

Fantastic job you are a craftsman sir a craftsman thanks for sharing your time and skill 🍺🍺👍👍🇬🇧

[@357magdad]

Thanks Brian! I'm glad the project turned out as nice as it did!

[@lotsabirds]

The "chips " lined up with the grooves on that inner portion of the mechanism. I'm not sure if there was any significance to that. That handle is beautiful! Great job!

[@357magdad]

I noticed the same thing when I was editing the video. It seems like the tool used to make the grooves over-shot a little.

[@lotsabirds]

@@357magdad that makes sense!!

[@uktony1525]

A joy to watch and the handle was spectacular. I can recommend the plug cutters, a cheap set from China was around £5 and they match the grain perfectly when screws are counterbored. Really nice finish in the Bombay Mahogany.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tony! I actually bought a set today at Harbor Freight!

[@not2fast4u2c]

Great repair on plugging the holes I like the two tone of the stain the mechanic parts are like something in a firearm Remember I have a dremel and not afraid to use it lol

[@357magdad]

You and I get a lot of use out of our rotary tools!

[@not2fast4u2c]

@@357magdad I really like my small ones for little projects

[@wayneo7307]

@@357magdad Me Too . As I Have no belt sander or disc sander or lathe .

[@MrDoeboy356]

I love how you take credit for the whole job. We all know Chuck is the brains and Braun in this video.

[@357magdad]

I coulda used Chuck's muscle getting that handle off!

[@MrDoeboy356]

@@357magdad lol

[@rogerstlaurent8704]

No 59 Ratchet Screwdriver from Millers Falls came out like a brand new Screwdriver Hey take care and have a Great Sunday afternoon a huge Thumbs up from Rhode Island

[@357magdad]

Thanks Roger!

[@harrykennedy743]

This was not a job for the faint hearted but you tackled it bravely. The result? Outstanding. Congratulations on yet another excellent video 357 Magdad.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Harry! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@patjohnson3100]

What a great job. You have more courage than I do when it comes to that first pin that didn't want to budge. I would have left it and restored the tool as one piece. Otherwise I would probably make things worse. Had I been able to get the handle off, I would just have cleaned the mechanism with spray solvent, let it dry and then lube it. Your work is much more thorough, and the stain you used on the wood is perfect for vintage tool wood. Another really nice restoration. There was more to this than meets the eye.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Pat! I could have done a decent job cleaning it up with the handle in place, but I guess I was looking for a challenge!

[@DavidPlass]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@stanellis7805]

Amazing job as always Magdad! Bought that Bombay Mahogany stain because of you. My favorite. Tricky to use but beautiful! Thanks.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Stan. The Minwax Polyshades are tough to get an even finish with, but that Bombay Mahogany color is worth the trouble!

[@halcooper6059]

The music had my wife and I snapping our fingers. She joined me watching the video. We spoke about your skill and unwillingness to accept anything less than an ideal outcome. Nice job!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Hal! I'm glad you and your wife enjoyed the video!

[@phillipbainbridge9107]

I have to admit, though genius for thinking of the wooden plugs, I was questioning your choice of wood. Then I saw the outcome and it looks phenomenal with the dark stain!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Phillip! The poplar was what I could find at the local bib box store.

[@timothynewkirk2654]

Best Screwdriver Resto I've ever seen! ...Newk from Kentucky

[@357magdad]

Thanks Newk!

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Whooohooo, you got the hillbilly band back together. I love the way you take a $1 flea market screwdriver and treat it like it’s a $1000 piece of equipment. Those nylon wheels work well on wood, you just have to be very gentle. I’m gonna make the call and say that’s your best restoration yet. Absolutely beautiful and the way those holes disappeared was amazing. Well done. Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺

[@357magdad]

Thanks Stuart! Mrs Magdad and I chose the hillbilly music on the last couple videos per your request!

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

@@357magdad Well please thank Mrs Magdad for me. 👍👍👍

[@marko11kram]

An outstanding restoration. Brilliant move with the plugs using the parallel grain.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Mark! I watch a couple furniture restoration channels and they gave me the idea.

[@rawbacon]

You did a great job on the wood handle. Adjusted for inflation it's about a $20 screwdriver in today's money, really fairly reasonable for a quality ratchet screwdriver.

[@357magdad]

I'm glad I was able to get that handle back on!

[@IrishLion-re8bu]

This little screwdriver is so cool and it came out awesome Magdad! Great color and I love the HISTORY :-)

[@357magdad]

Thanks! The ratchet mechanism is very similar the the North Brother patent. I couldn't find out if Millers Falls licenced it, stole it or changed it just enough to be legal.

[@IrishLion-re8bu]

@@357magdad Yeah it looked very similar and I watched the video on the history, very cool :-).

[@toolscarriagesmodellbauand7246]

A wonderful restoration. To put the douwels in line of graininto the handle is a great idea. Thanks for that.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! The homemade plugs worked out well!

[@lucianprescott8357]

Incredible restoration as always. The plugs blew me away as to how they blended in. As a suggestion, perhaps the wood wax may have helped the handle slide back onto the mechanism.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Lucian! I think you are right, wax would have helped.

[@terryrogers1025]

I like your approach to the process of disassembly, cleaning, lubing, and assembly of the projects you work on. Thanks for the video sir.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Terry! This one was tough to disassemble - I had to use all of my Magdad muscle!

[@Resto-Rob]

Fantastic! That is an amazing transformation. You did a great job hiding the drilled holes. 👍👍👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Robert! I have to admit I've been guilty of drilling holes in handles myself.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Really nice project Magdad! You especially did a nice job repairing the handle. It now looks like new and work great as well!! 👍🎥🇺🇸Roger

[@357magdad]

Thanks Roger! The Bombay Mahogany is pretty close to the original finish.

[@daviddibella9432]

Great restoration on the screwdriver. Using the plugs was ingenious

[@357magdad]

Thanks David! The plugs worked out well!

[@setdown2]

A most excellent job...the turn out of the plug put it over the top...a scout crafter quality job..👍👍👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Chuck! ScoutCrafter did leave a very generous comment!

[@philparker1666]

Wow, what a beautiful finish Magdad, but boy you have more patience than me! 👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇬🇧✌️

[@357magdad]

Thanks Phil! Mrs Magdad says that I'm "relentless".

[@horseshoemountainprojects8144]

I am so glad I am taking the time to go back through the videos of yours that I have missed. This is absolutely the best work I have seen from you!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I'm glad you like how it turned out!

[@ArmandoLoni]

That was well put together at the factory 👍🏻🛠️

[@357magdad]

That handle didn't want to come off!

[@evilla410]

Magdad great job, the handle has the vintage look. 👍🇺🇸

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I have to stop myself from using the Bombay Mahogany on everything!

[@evilla410]

It looks nice.

[@michaelbradley8508]

WOW….. You are a Master Restorer…. Michael from Canada.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Michael! Cleaning up old tools is fun!

[@johnfix1]

You did an amazing job. I really like the screwdriver.

[@357magdad]

Thanks John! This one fought me a little bit!

[@chriholt]

Beautiful job - I love that Bombay Mahogany stain. "I have a Dremel and I'm not afraid to use it! - LOL! I seem to remember hearing the brand name Millers Falls when I was a kid, but I have no idea where I would have heard it!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Chris! Millers Falls has been around a long time (I think a Chinese company owns the name now) and they made a lot of tools.

[@stevewalker7822]

Very methodical restoration Great work of art now

[@357magdad]

Thanks Steve! I would say it's a "wall hanger" but I plugged the hole!😁

[@tungsten_carbide]

Nice little project and as usual it turned out great! Absolutely lovely end result 👏 Interesting variation on the pawls we're used to seeing in ratchet screwdriver mechanisms. Bonus points for not using a dowel for plugging that hole!!! As a woodworker I appreciated that bit a lot. And extra kudos for making them tapered.... and for doing them by hand! Coincidentally I bought my second only Millers Falls tool today, a 10" pipe wrench from the Spanish factory. It's in rough cosmetic shape, all the bare metal is brown and the paint is bubbling and flaking on all the raised surfaces, but the jaws are unmangled and I think I can do a good job bringing it back. Even though it'll be a user I'm hoping for a like-new result like you often get.

[@357magdad]

The ratchet mechanism is very similar to the one in the North Brothers screwdrivers. I got the idea for the plugs from a couple of the furniture restoration channels I watch. I'd love to see some before / after photos of you pipe wrench! [e-mail]

[@mikecurtis2585]

Great job looks better than new!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Mike!

[@namleets57]

Another great job when prying with a screwdriver I always seem to stick it in my hand. I can’t work on things without drawing blood you always seem to stay safe. Keep it up

[@357magdad]

Oh I've had my share of accidents! I can't seem to work on a knife without cutting myself!

[@tooladdict7463]

Beautiful job buddy well done

[@357magdad]

Thanks! It was a challenging project!

[@johnkelley9877]

Simply beautiful Magdad! I cannot believe how nice it looks. Thanks for sharing this.

[@357magdad]

Thanks John! This was a challenging project!

[@sebglayburg5163]

Nice work! The plugs are superb

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@michaelcosta879]

You did a really nice job! The handle color and finish as well as the metal polish all top-notch. I am sure it did not look this good when it was new.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Michael!

[@JamesP_TheShedShop]

What an amazing transformation! Thx for your videos

[@357magdad]

Thanks James! I'm glad I got it back together!

[@tomburns7796]

Great job again! I know that I would appreciate a tour of your shop, bench, tools etc. I am sure others would enjoy it as well. Thank you

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tom! Maybe I'll do a shop tour for my 10,000 subscriber video!

[@tomburns7796]

@@357magdad I look forward to it! Only 1100 more, that will give you some time to clean! LOL Stay safe

[@Aztecs911]

Well done. One of your best restorations.

[@357magdad]

Wow! Thanks!

[@williammcguire3rd]

The plugs blended in great. Awesome job my friend 👍🔪👊🔥🍻

[@357magdad]

Thanks WM3!

[@gordon7005]

Very nice restoration and that Bombay Mahogany is perfect

[@357magdad]

Thanks Gordon! Bombay Mahogany is my favorite colr!

[@larryborkstrom3580]

That's a nice ratcheting screwdriver miller's falls us great stuff

[@357magdad]

Thanks Larry!

[@dianemoore2945]

Magdad, you and Chuck did a great job with that ratchet screwdriver. A few days ago I watched your video where you and Chuck went through an old wood tool box and cleaned it up. Then I got curious about my can of old tools and I found some old tools, one was a ratchet screwdriver not knowing I would watch this video. The ratchet screwdriver I found was a North Bro’s Yankee #10, the ratchet works, handle looks pretty good and the screw driver looks decent just dark. But I dare not take it apart. What you do with these old tools is wonderful and educational. I enjoy your curiosity and Chuck’s work ethic! You guys are great!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Diane! I'm glad you are enjoying my content! I've got a similar North Bros ratcheting screwdriver waiting on deck for a clean-up. Chuck says hi!

[@CarnivoreRonin]

Beautiful looking restoration!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jason!

[@ydocproductions5593]

I really like the old ratcheting screwdrivers. The handle looks so great. Another job well done Magdad😀👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks YDOC!

[@frankg3072]

That was really great! I thought you were going to have some trouble getting the handle off but it all worked out. Good job. 👍👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Frank! That handle was on there TIGHT!

[@rgaborjr]

Bonus points for the ASMR on the gloves pulling the shaft from the handle! Great video!

[@357magdad]

I could tell you that I added the heavy breathing for effect, but I really was working hard!

[@mr.bandyshanks6492]

Great job! Looks real nice.

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@timeflysintheshop]

The "chips" are where the cutter that made the teeth on the ratchet gear came far enough forward to make a little bit of cut, or maybe those cuts were made before the groove was removed in a turning process and there was a little bit of the cuts remaining. It does not look like wear and tear. It was like that the day it was made.

[@357magdad]

When I was editing the video I noticed the same thing!

[@dhroen]

An amazing restoration. Inspiring.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Duane! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@alexstools]

Amazing work. I was struggling with the same issue with a drilled hole. I even have those plug drills. I know how to fix it nicely now. I'd better get a move on before I forget 😂

[@357magdad]

Thanks Alex! I just picked up a cheap set of those plug bits. I'll have to give them a try.

[@garyryman4947]

Awesome job.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Gary!

[@prasadvn524]

The stain suits the driver perfectly.lovely ideo

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Bombay Mahogany is a pretty close match to the origin color.

[@choppermike3329]

Excellent! You went above and beyond a regular resto. Love that Mahogany color. A1👍🏻

[@357magdad]

Thanks Mike! It was a challenging project!

[@juanbetancourt2802]

Very nice job!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Juan!

[@DavidPlass]

Beautiful result! Very classy looking.

[@357magdad]

Thanks David!

[@GuntersGarage]

Wow another great restoration. I like that little guy there. Im a sucker for wooden handles :)

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I'm a wood handle fan too!

[@vintagetreasuresrestoratio2374]

It was amazing restoration! 👏

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@dbl6gun45]

another real fine project, I liked your dowel remedy for the handle. It came out real nice!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! This was a challenging project!

[@larrydemaar409]

I am glad that you didn’t try taking those last pins out, looked like a nightmare. Beautiful restoration, thanks for the history 1935- very interesting.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Larry! I gave that pin a whack and it just laughed at me!

[@unwired1281]

You put a lot of work into that one with MAGnificent results!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! It was a challenging project!

[@timeflysintheshop]

Great job! The mostly live shows are great!

[@357magdad]

I've been trying to mix in some "live Magdad" here and there!

[@mrbenmall]

Great job. I love that stain.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Ben! Bombay Mahogany is my favorite color! I have to stop myself from using it on every project!

[@DirtandRust]

Nice Job on the Problem solving ...really Turned out Great!!

[@357magdad]

Thanks D&R! This was a challenging project!

[@jeffsalt2080]

Outstanding! That handle turned out amazing! Since you were going back with the similar stain, maybe just the paint stripper would have been all you needed. But how you did it, sure is purdy!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jeff! I'm trying to find the best way to remove that red stain so I have the option of changing colors.

[@OldSneelock]

@@357magdad Red fades in the sunlight faster than most other colors. It might be interesting to try an UV light source to bleach the wood. I thought oxalic acid would do it.

[@357magdad]

@@OldSneelock I might try that thanks!

[@lv_woodturner3899]

Interesting screwdriver. I have not seen one of these before. Excellent cleanup as usual. The handle did not want to come off. I can imagine how much elbow grease this required. The plugs worked really well, they blend in with the finish. I got a big smile from the comment "I have a Dremel and I am not afraid to use it" LOL Glad you were able to fix the collar slop with a piece of wire. Looks as good as new now. Well done. Dave.

[@357magdad]

That handle was on there tight! I'm glad I was able to get it back together!

[@ihrescue]

I was wondering if you would plug that and handle and indeed you did. Great job of camouflaging the plug and a nice job of restoring it. I learn from all you restorations.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Michael! I enjoy trying out new techniques!

[@wayneo7307]

Nice job Magdad ! And It Came Out Great !

[@357magdad]

Thanks Wayne!

[@wireworks616]

Really nice restore. See you Saturday

[@357magdad]

Thanks Wire! I'm looking forward to ScoutCrafter's meetup!

[@SeanHarry-Speaker]

Looks good!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Sean!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

I absolutely love that semi transparent deep red/burgundy.. I've been doing some espiraminting lol and have had pretty good success using anodizing spray paint from the auto parts store.. it's just spray can candy like on cars translucent and you can change the color drastically with base color and number of coats.

[@357magdad]

I've got to careful not to use Bombay Mahogany on every project!

[@liljoeii6091]

Turned out perfect You and Chuck did a good job Thank you for the video

[@357magdad]

Thanks! We enjoyed this project!

[@460V8]

Very nice restoration. 👌🏻

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@Donthetoolman]

That’s a half moon woodruff key nice job on it really like the the mechanism looked simple but sophisticated at the same time you could definitely see the quality in the machining

[@357magdad]

The mechanism was invented by Zachary Furbish, a Maine "Yankee" who worked for North Brothers.

[@Donthetoolman]

@@357magdad that’s cool thanks for the info I did a video on a mooreman’s brand pistol grip ratcheting screwdriver I said in the video that it was possibly a unbranded millers falls turned out to be a millers falls I discovered that after the video I believe both yours and mine are of the same era

[@TomGunnTools]

Great color handle! Love the details you address

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tom! I was worried about it being such a long video!

[@kimbishop4734]

Good job all the way around. I really like your videos. You're very relatable. You seem like just a regular guy figuring it out as you go. You give the rest of us hope that we can do it too.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Kim! I am just a regular guy. Chuck is the Super Star!

[@Roadkillstew]

great resto. i love the handle.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Stew!

[@starflash08]

love millers falls tools

[@357magdad]

Millers Falls tools are very popular with collectors.

[@grahamcameron7628]

Way to go Magdad! That’s gotta be one of your top-ten videos right there. I am also fond of that Bombay mahogany. Cheers

[@357magdad]

Wow! Thanks Graham! It was a challenging project!

[@19Bmiller]

Very, very well done

[@357magdad]

Thanks Bob!

[@harrykennedy743]

Inspired by your excellent restoration and video I sourced one of these and it arrived today. The seller even included a model no 63 free. I'm going to give them your treatment. A fun project

[@357magdad]

Awesome Harry! I would love to see some photos of your project! [e-mail]

[@harrykennedy743]

@@357magdad I'll try to send you some before and after photos. I suspect it'll take me a lot longer than you to finish. Unfortunately we can't buy minwax Bombay mahogany in the UK so I'll need to see if there's a decent alternative.

[@harrykennedy743]

Hi Magdad. I haven't forgotten the screwdrivers project, but unfortunately health issues have prevented me from getting started. As soon as I can I'll get to.

[@jackthompson2132]

What a absolutely awesome job Magdad 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻and very informative video. Thank You for sharing!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jack! It was a challenging project!

[@supabiscuit]

Beautifully done sir

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@valsforge4318]

Better than new! Nicely done!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Val!

[@TheCleric42]

“I have a Dremel, and I’m not afraid to use it” could be carved on your tombstone!

[@357magdad]

Right underneath "I told you I was Sick"!

[@tonylenge424]

Good detailed video! I like the plug solution and you can get cheap plug cutters at harbor freight that work fine. Thanks

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tony! I just bought a set from Harbor Freight yesterday! I used my 30% coupon!😁

[@altonbarbee8864]

Nice job on the project. I'm pretty sure Chuck is on the Flitz payroll

[@357magdad]

He's Brand Champion!

[@jazzersten]

Great job on the restoration. I have to try the fiber wheels.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jess! Joe's Shop turned us onto the fiber wheels. I have a video on them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHjShXt9jbR9q7s

[@hester781]

Outstanding! I can’t believe how seem less that hole repair was! I have an eye for detail and If you didn’t show me the before pictures I’d never know!

[@357magdad]

The dark bombay mahogany camouflages the plugs really well!

[@hester781]

@@357magdad agreed! Though I’d say the camouflage credit goes 25% to the stain, and 75% to the craftsman!

[@oneshotme]

It looks great and you did a wonderful job restoring it as well!!!! Enjoyed your video so I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@357magdad]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for the thumbs up!

[@oneshotme]

@@357magdad You're welcome!!

[@SwarthyPlinker]

Beautiful job!

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@Dardrum]

That was outstanding

[@357magdad]

Thanks Dale! It was a challenging project!