What Makes It Work #29 VERSAMATIC SPEED REDUCER tubalcain

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WHAT MAKES IT WORK? #3 Two Stroke Cycle Gas Engine
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WHAT MAKES IT WORK? #10 DIFFERENTIALS dana tubalcain
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WHAT MAKES IT WORK? #11 How Water Valves Work
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WHAT MAKES IT WORK? #13 The Bicycle Coaster Brake tubalcain
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WHAT MAKES IT WORK #24 Automatic Center Punch with cut-
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What Makes It Work #25 JACOBS DRILL CHUCK tubalcain w/cutaway
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What Makes It Work #26a 3-jaw lathe SCROLL CHUCK succinct ver
• What Makes It Work #26...

[@LostMountainRestoration]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. When I was a pre-teen in the mid-60's, my Dad and I used the Versamatic to unscrew about a million little brass screws which were holding brass trim down on an old boat we endlessly worked on (but never finished). I remember how proud he was of that tool. I know I wouldn't have thrown it away, and it may be stored away with his old aluminum bodied drill, up in my attic. Anyway, when you put the Jacobs chuck on it, I got to wondering if it could act as a speed reducer on a drill press allowing better drilling of metals? If I can find mine, maybe I'll give it a whirl. The versamatic. I think I'm 10 again. That boat! Please make it go away!!!! LOL.

[@TheRatshooter]

Back in my misspent youth I worked in an automotive machine shop. We used one of these when knurling valve guides. A 3/8 Milwaukee hole shooter, and the versamatic turned the knurling tap, which was a thread former. Reversing wasn't required, we just ran the tap thru, letting it come out the far side. There was a square socket that the square tap shank fit into.This thing was indestructible, it had done 1000's of holes. Was still working when I left, it had been in use maybe 20 years.

[@donstor1]

Ahhh you brought back some good memories here. I remember my dad showing me how to work one. It was a huge convenience at the time. No wasted time here, very nice to see and I’m so glad you took the time. Thank you.

[@merlinmagnus873]

I have the Craftsman No. 665-256560 version of this. Use it all the time for big wood screws. I have an old Milwaukee drill that has no break and lots of inertia. This is great because when the screw hits bottom, I can just let go and it free spins into neutral. No snapped screws or twisted wrists. A leather glove is recommended. I also got mine at a flea market for a few bucks. The reverse mechanism was jammed but a quick disassembly and some TLC (grease) saw to that. Great video.

[@cliffordfender1159]

I'm just a young buck but, I was born in 1957. Dad had a lot of these and I cut my teeth tapping holes with these, Thanks Lyle. Your friend, Cliff

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@franksmodels29]

Great vid , nothing better than having morning coffee and watching Mr. Pete vids..👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MrPatdeeee]

Amen, amen and AMEN!

[@billwilson7782]

Pete, I have one of these. I bought it 49 years ago to drill a large long screw. I went out to my garage and it was still in the place I kept it. Old memories and my recall still works. Mine is made by Simpson-Sears Limited Canada. It was made before Craftsman was Crapsman. Along with the Simpson-Sears it has Sears, Roebuck and Co. USA stamped on one end and Craftsman and the model # on the other. I will probably keep this for the duration and may be have it put into my casket so I can take it with me. Take care and thanks for the memories.

[@Coffieman5150]

Thankyou, I really like to see old tools being shown and used. Please show more

[@thedivinehammerswoodworks1895]

It is actually quite easy to understand how it works, if you know how a planetary gear set works. In forward direction, you are inputting power through the sun gear which drives the planet gears, by holding the ring gear, it transfers power from the planets to the locking nut which drives the screw driver bit, for reverse you unlock the sun gear and lock the plants which causes the direction change in your tool bit. Your automatic transmission works on this basic principal. As A Journeyman Automotive and Heavy Duty Mechanic I spent many weeks learning all about how Planetary gear sets work and the path of power through them, and what happens. Now if you want to cramp your brain try figuring out gear ratios in set up that have 3 or more planetary gear sets with different gears lock or unlocked, whether speed reductions or overdrives. Not fun, and the diagrams still suck on them to this day. Thanks for the video Mr Pete.

[@MabrayFarm]

That reversing function was a clever design thanks for the video!

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

That is an interesting device. Never knew that existed! Thanks for sharing this with us. I love the old devices like this. So costly and intricate to sole a problem which was eventually solved in the drill its self.

[@morg52]

My Dad had one of these that he used with a Sioux close quarter, non- reversable drill. With the close quarter drill you could keep both hands closer together and get better control of it. My Dad was quite adept at using it for countless projects in his workshop.

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

This was greatly appreciated, and confirmed that one of these things is indeed what I need to be able to reverse a vintage drill. I'm only a young college student, but I'm a bit of a nut for old tools, and the only powered drill I personally own is a vintage Sunbeam of the same era as the Milwaukee you showed. I'd seen 90 degree accessories for old drills, so I knew they had to have something that would reverse the direction, but I couldn't tell from the ebay listings for these things if they had a reverse direction, or were reverse drivable, as in instead of reducing speed and increasing power, increasing speed and reducing power by running it backwards.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@craigtreleaven7560]

Thank you! I have that exact model. Mine was stuck in reverse--I didn't get the instructions and didn't know how to switch to forward drive! A little oil and a couple of taps and now mine works properly again.

[@gregfeneis609]

Please also note one of the great things on modern cordless drills is that they immediately stop. When you're working and change bits or just want to put the tool down, it saves several seconds each time you use it if you don't have to wait for the tool to wind down before you do something else

[@EVILDR235]

I have that same unit re-badged as a Craftsman tool. It came in a metal box with with bits and a 1/4 inch Supreme drill chuck.

[@silverbullet7434]

I have the tapping model with collets . I used it to do missed holes in a valve shop we made some giant ones there and small ones. YUPP I got the broken tap removal jobs too. Not that I broke but to save a part became my specialized job. So ill keep mine to use in my drill press or lathe . As you said very well made and I love great tools.. thanks again Lyle it's great still having a shop teacher around. GOD BLESS YOU AND THE FAMILY

[@ActiveAtom]

Everything during that era if I recall learning about from then all things omatic, versa, space-age, Accutron anyone. Of course the teacher verified the 7 to 1 confirmed before the teacher teaches it to us, it is why we enjoy you so much. The cut away is likely of great interest two these two Desert Dwellers. I had an all aluminum drill motor as my first one in the late 60's it was likely old then, I was a child. The Versamatic was really quit load MrPete. Nice share and we love the cut away that shares this well.

[@thatoldbob7956]

I still have one and it was very useful in the late 60s-70s. You can slow drive with it by varying the grip on it. Thanks for the cut put, very useful study.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@jandillingh]

great video mr pete, it really shows that when people talk about, how back in the day tools were better, aren't telling the whole story.

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

My first electric drill was a fixed speed, non-reversible Black & Decker. Pretty worthless really. That Versamatic may be a bit awkward, but I could see it being a useful tool for those early drills. Pretty ingenious invention too, IMO. Thanks for sharing Mr. Pete, great video!

[@vicmorrison8128]

Cool tool! My Dad built our garage addition with one of these! Great stuff coach!

[@adam19890911]

Very interesting and simple mechanisms, I think I understand the reverse direction also.

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Well now I have had my morning dose of Tubalcain and I can get started on my day. Thanks for the video.

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Nice demo from the past. Somewhere I have one of those hiding in the shop from my father.

[@jimmydiresta]

Funny video! I own about 3 of these. I always think I’ll use them fixed permanently in side of some system I design

[@mrpete222]

Actually Jimmy , I think they are kind of worthless. I may attempt to use it as a Tapping attachment in the Drill press. Just as an experiment. It is a pretty neat mechanism.

[@Daledavispratt]

I had one of those kicking around in an inherited tool box....now I know what it is! Thanks, Mr. Pete! :-)

[@chippypro2111]

I used one, attached to a variable speed drill (to go slow) to provide X axis feed for my mill/drill. Worked perfect with #25 chain. It provided the needed speed reduction, PLUS, the "clutch" feature worked perfect for my set up.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@gwharton68]

Great video. I remember the Vermatic, but never used one. I still have two Yankee screwdrivers and a Yankee push drill that I have used on occasion. Thanks for all the great education.

[@chuckthebull]

I have this one but a craftsmen version but it's the same..mine came with a metal box with more tools in it..I thought it was neat so I also got it at a flee market.. I never used it because I was baffled about how. But I liked the planetary gears set and thought ok some day maybe I can repurpose it. Thanks for this video.

[@georgeeads8689]

I think the cut-away is an awesome idea. I am a locksmith and I have used a cut-away to demonstrate locking mechanisms and to learn how to by pass a lock.

[@mrpete222]

Yes thanks

[@tobylou8]

Thanks for the great explanation. I have one that was my Grandfathers and could never figure it out. Now I know!!

[@hottoddy9789]

*_Hot damn! I can imagine how this baby made things easier, safer, and increase production on site. Times sure have changed but great ideas like this is what paved the way for modern tool technology.Very cool show n tell Mr. Pete. -Cheers_*

[@petefletcher]

Oh no Mr Pete, the little light is invaluable in dark corners. And the NiCad ones were a LOT better than nothing.

[@mrpete222]

I'd rather have nothing then the NiCad. They only made me mad

[@johnapel2856]

Interesting. I still have an all metal Black and Decker single speed drill. I guess it is all relative. With the old Black and Decker, it would have been mighty convenient to have been able to slow it down or reverse it. But I like my modern Milwaukee drill! Thanks.

[@DSCKy]

After wathcing your other video, I picked one of these up from EBay. Should be here in a day or two. :)

[@mrpete222]

How much did you pay. I made this video along time ago. Since that time I saw two of them at auctions. No one would bid on them

[@DSCKy]

@@mrpete222 A little more than I wanted... about $23 with shipping. Shipping was as much or more than the part. I'm hoping I can use it some to feed the mill.

[@davidhelmuth5707]

God please don’t throw that drill away. If it must go let me know, I would gladly pay the shipping for you to send it to fla. Where it will find a good home. Good information vid as always!

[@thingocandybeans]

Came looking for what one of these does, left knowing how it works, GREAT!

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@petercunningham4000]

Another very interesting video. I have never seen one of those devices before ever. I grew up in England and I have lived in Australia since I was about 20and I just don't remember seeing one. I still have an all-metal large Black and Decker power drill(240 volts here). I always worry about it shorting out to the case!

[@willykanos1044]

I had one of these back in the sixties. I used it to build a boat from plywood. I found the plans in Popular Mechanics. It was designed to be built with one sheet of 1/4" plywood. It was better than a hand screwdriver but not very handy.

[@bulldozer7656]

I was wondering how that worked. Thanks Mr. Pete, great video

[@ROBRENZ]

Enjoyed! ATB, Robin

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@mrgruisinge]

Yup, still have mine. Must be almost 45 years old now. Still works. Must have driven thousands of screws with it. At the time it was better than sliced bread. I'll find something to do with it one day. Can't throw away a good tool.

[@thebaron44]

Did yours come with a chuck and 2 sockets?

[@mrgruisinge]

@@thebaron44 nope, just the socket adapter and two screwdriver bits.

[@thebaron44]

@@mrgruisinge Thanks have seen other kits that did have them as well as chucks

[@mrgruisinge]

@@thebaron44 actually mine does not have the screw on collar. It ends around the knurled ring. Takes standard Yankee bits. I have four Philips bits and the socket driver. Mine has the same patent number but says model number 00. Same size, same color no box however.

[@MaturePatriot]

The Yankee push screwdriver worked great for mounting plug, and switch plates, when wiring a house. Until the electric screwdriver came along!! Nice demo. Was wondering if a 1/2" chuck could be used with this, on a drill press, to drive larger Silver&Deming 1/2" shank drills at a slower speed, for drilling metal? Sort of the poor man's pull gear! My mind sometimes goes to these dark places. LOL Anyway, I bought one just to try it. 'Til next time!

[@denniscote4040]

Take this for what it's worth but when you were grabbing the front and rear of the body to start and stop reminded me as we use to wrench on our cars, if you had the rear end up in the air with limited slip while the engine was idling one wheel would rotate and if you stopped that wheel the other one would now start spinning.

[@GaryT1952]

North Brothers Mfg. in Philadelphia made the Yankee screwdrivers and push drills, still useful to this day.

[@mrayco]

Thank you Mr Pete very interesting video I love history.

[@markkoons7488]

I'll bet a lot of the ingenious gizmos that hit the market between '45 and '65 got their start in military machine shops where, when not waging a war, bright, imaginative boys with time on their hands had access to wonderful equipment and were free of the constraints of a market economy.

[@laithlaith2785]

We can used that in many other applications, thank you for that information

[@MegaBCAD]

would love to see this in a drill press for drilling large holes makes for a really simple fix to going to fast just put it in the chuck or would it strip the gears maybe

[@CreaseysWorkshop]

He made about 150 videos showing that already.

[@MegaBCAD]

@@CreaseysWorkshop not using one of these im not sure how the gears would hold up

[@centralbears3010]

I never seen such a thang. Its amazing the things that were engineered and have been replaced. I'm afraid the design details for planetary gears and an odometer gearing are going to be a lost art / trade. If the ability to make these parts is lost, we are in trouble.

[@MikeBramm]

I think my Dad had one of those, or something similar. I can remember him using it in the early 70's. I don't think he has it anymore, probably sold it at a garage sale years ago.

[@ponkkaa]

Yep, I remember my dad and uncles having these.

[@paulbtracy]

Looks like it could be much thinner, but the size is so you can hold it comfortably. Good vid and cut away.

[@garypapesh1345]

Maybe it would have worked with your hole saw experiment on the drill press 🤔

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Oh my gosh, a blast from the past! My dad had one.. and it was a pain to use. By the time he passed away and I got the tools, it was quite deservedly missing...long gone. Who knows.. it might have gone cross country to your garage sale. 🤣

[@papalouie5187]

Wow, my dad gave me one of these about 10-yrs ago. I couldn't figure out how to use it. Now I know how it works and what's missing. Thank you Mr. Pete!

[@paulostberg2559]

Thanks was cleaning up my fathers tools had no idea what it was

[@mealex303]

ACE!! I had a chuck that was also a springloaded power driver thingy like the ones you hit and it rotates but all I. One attachment.

[@jimcain7778]

I caught that gag from SNL... A James Belushi skit, where yankee drill was actually Weber Grill...

[@SeanRobinson]

You mentioned 100 Miles from you is Chicago, Where are you from? I would love to check out your shop if that is okay with you

[@bc65925]

What about using that in a drill press for hole saws?

[@merlinmagnus873]

I have one. The cutting torque is equal to your grip strength on the housing. A half inch drill is one thing but a 3 inch hole saw would take the skin off your hand if you tried to hang on to it.

[@ericcorse]

Most interesting, being nearly as ancient as you, I think you have 10 years on me, my father had one of these or some kind of knockoff. I'm not sure he ever used it. It lived in a drawer on his bench.

[@toolbox-gua]

God bless ypu Mr. Pete. I wonder if there is still available an affordable speed reducer (one in Amazon 4:1 goes for $600+). Back just 10 years ago I bought and still use the two “arcade” manual tools to drive screws and drill. They need no electricity and are ready every time. Compared to a dead battery of the seldome used power drill.

[@mrpete222]

Not that I know of, other than eBay

[@celeronceleron5595]

By the looks of it i'ld say the triple start thread threads into what appears to be a bronze colored nut. So the planetary gear is bypassed in reverse. But why doesn't the three start threaded screw jam going from one nut to the other?

[@dougvanallen2212]

Mr Pete I remember my dad had one then again we had a Kirby vacuum with all the attachments the one I remember most was the grinding wheels

[@mwganson]

Does it add torque in exchange for the speed reduction? Seems like it would.

[@MrPatdeeee]

Mr Pete a question? What are the teeth for; on the bronze colored ring inside the housing; that does NOT have the planetary gears? Hope you understand me question. Great video as always. Bless you dear man.

[@mrpete222]

No, I do not understand. Give me a time mark on the video. So I can look at it

[@MrPatdeeee]

@@mrpete222 Around 16:58. Thanks

[@mrpete222]

To engage and disengage the shaft from the housing

[@MrPatdeeee]

@@mrpete222 Hmmm!

[@lindsayfog5246]

doesn't the reverse rotation unscrew the 3 start thread just by holding the rear casing ? the resistance against the screw or tap turning would uncouple it without going through the rigamorol to operate it backwards ...?

[@joshwalker5605]

Theres a great book about the history of the screwdriver called "One Good Turn" - theres a lot of digression but its all interesting. Short story is the earliest evidence of a screwdriver is around 1100AD

[@MrShobar]

I think that the straight screwdriver bit is used with a "Yankee" screwdriver, not the Ridgid Supreme speed reducer. The "Yankee" was another (and still is) useful tool. BTW, I wonder where all of the non-reversible, constant speed drill motors went? Although I still have a few, there must be a huge pile of them just outside the Pearly Gates.

[@mrpete222]

Thank goodness that most of them have been scrapped

[@chuckfischer7202]

@@mrpete222 I have them.

[@vancester1st]

Using that plug adapter on the screw shooter could curl your hair.

[@1svsoulmate]

It works just like the pulley you put on your drill press. If you used it with the one you put on the drill press you could really slow it down the cutting speed. ha ha. Love the videos, Thanks.

[@mrpete222]

Yes 👍

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing.

[@kevinwillis9126]

Thanks for sharing sir..

[@bestfriendhank1424]

Pretty neat

[@clydedecker765]

Still have all those drills too but not the Versamatic. I used screwdrivers. I got all of the intel but never saw the Triple start threads. Guess I'll have to search for it. I understand the concept but can't imagine making the thread and bolt...

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqPbepSfidJkfrc

[@Highstranger951]

Mr. Pete, do you own a battery powered impact driver?

[@mrpete222]

No, I need to get one

[@Highstranger951]

mrpete222 such a versatile tool. One of my best investments

[@kabrogan1]

I'd like to see this with Milwaukee 1 or 3 tooth hole saw. Sincerely, A Jersey plumber

[@michaelkowalski1130]

Any chance you could post a copy of the instructions? Thanks

[@mrpete222]

You can find them on the vintage machinery.org site

[@georgeeads8689]

It seems to be a simple speed reducer. Am I right??

[@loosehandle1]

Have a 1955 popular mechanics magazine with a half page ad for this, cost $14.95. I think pretty pricey back then.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks. You are right that was almost unaffordable at the time

[@cluuck4617]

Flat blade screws were the screw of the day so I see where this device was a flop. So one way your threaded into the back the other way your threaded into the front.

[@ollieb9875]

Is prehistoric Pete related to Bubba? 🤣😁☺️

[@TheRatshooter]

Bubba is a direct decendent

[@gabewhisen3446]

Hilariously I just bought one of those versamatic the craftsman branded one yard sale $5 and

[@4SafetyTraining]

Thanks

[@russelallen5342]

Interesting! I don't remember them, but maybe my foggy 70 year old brain dumped that info.

[@beverlyritchey5379]

Address or email to send picture of tool, please.

[@misfitsailor]

From the age of Hula Hoops and curb feelers.

[@jmh8743]

my Dad too frugal to purchase, especially with sons and the brace & bit

[@SepticWhelk]

Bugger me you make me feel old ! " Nicely made " Oh yes not bloody plastic , yes plastic it's not ENGINEERING POLYMER !

[@1jtolvey]

GREAT VIDEO !! (( 4:57 )) = SCREWDRIVER (&) IMPACT SCREWDRIVER :-)

[@chris7662]

I like your videos and I respect you experience and knowledge. Same time...Your degrading comments come across condescending and purely subjective. It can be annoying you ole codger!

[@thisnicklldo]

Well, I'm not sure but I might have come across a product called Rigid Supreme in mens mags, but I don't think it was for drilling. Of course, I didn't need it anyway, obviously.

[@markowen7164]

I like a yanky driver. I had to get a new one. And I had to go to an antique shop. Mmmmmmmm. M

[@dimitrioslykissas7981]

A company should just bite the bullet and come out with a line of "vintage" all-die-cast tools. They should make them nice tools though, fit for actual work and not for the kitchen drawer. Many people, including me, would go out and buy.

[@MrShobar]

Boosts the TORQUE seven times. Not the power.

[@daveanderson2316]

Here come the snowflakes "how dare you assume the gender of a magazine! ".....

[@thomaslamora1679]

Men's magazines???? you are going to take a beating for that - insinuating that women aren't interested in science, technology and making stuff. just saying.

[@1musicsearcher]

I sold mine at our garage sale for $10.00. Good riddance.

[@mrpete222]

I agree, I would never actually use one