Starrett No. 559B Pocket Screwdriver Restoration

[@357magdad]

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

[@1Barrett50]

I agree with you on the restore vs preservation. It turned out great, Starrett makes nice stuff.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I try to pick up Starrett when I see it.

[@1Barrett50]

@@357magdad Me too.

[@larrydemaar409]

I am glad that you restored that beautiful Starrett small screwdriver. It turned out great and you revealed the quality of this tool by taking it apart, even though difficult.

[@357magdad]

I'm glad I was able to get it apart Larry!

[@conscience-commenter]

Mr. Starrett and Mr. Holm's are both glad you recognize quality and cared enough to restore it . Nice pick and restoration . Enjoy it in good health.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! It is a good lookin' screwdriver!

[@johnkelley9877]

I think you made the right decision in removing the name. I have wrench with my name on it I used at work to identify it as one that I bought. If someone bought it later I would have no problem in them removing it. The screwdriver looks great and you did a great job on it. Thanks for sharing this.

[@357magdad]

Thanks John!

[@lv_woodturner3899]

That is certainly a gem. Very nice job on the restoration. I would also have wanted to remove the name. The screwdriver tip goes a lot deeper in the shaft than I expected. I did not know Starrett made screwdrivers. Good to know. Back in March Starrett "merged" with a capital company to take the company private. Only time will tell how much of the company will survive. Dave.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Dave! I wonder how the buyout will effect vintage Starrett values?

[@kkaucher]

@@357magdad I suspect the new owners will make the usual choices to sacrifice quality in pursuit of the almighty dollar. Vintage tools will increase in value (astronomically) while the value of the new poor-quality tools will sink. Starrett will be sold repeatedly as new owners are only interested in the name. Look at Kodak, Polaroid, Magnavox, and the many others that are nothing but labels on cheap Chinese crap.

[@MattsGarage1791]

Great find. So many times you find the old tools with the owners name stamped or carved onto every surface! Shows how important and valuable it was to them. Heat, loose juice, heat loose juice... just like a tool surgeon!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Matt! I think Mr Holm worked in a shop with a lot of sticky fingers.

[@wireworks616]

Great job on the Starrett. Starrett is the Harley-Davidson of precision tools.👍👍👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Wire! I hope Starrett survives their recent buyout.

[@GuntersGarage]

Boy it looks great. Glad you got it safely apart and Mr Holms autograph off. Sweet piece!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I was happy to find it on the $5 table!

[@stevewalker7822]

A wonderful restoration for a classic screwdriver to add to your collection!😊

[@357magdad]

Thanks Steve!

[@davidvanzuiden3906]

You did the right thing. It's yours now and I think the restoration was the way to go.

[@357magdad]

Thanks David!

[@pwaterdu]

Pretty much like new..Beauty job!

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@Dardrum]

Happy Sunday Magdad, I agree with your restore/preservation method. That is one beautiful screw driver, nice job. Nice to see chuck also.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Chuck says hi!

[@Uwannawatch]

Came out Fantastic. Like Mr. John Fix says. It's your shop, your tools, your rules.

[@357magdad]

Thanks George!

[@rollerbald]

Nice job MagDad! Starrett makes quality tools - I have a few and really treasure them. I don't think Mr. Holm would mind what you did at all. I have tools that belonged to my father, grandfather and great grandfather and I am sure they would just be glad that I have kept and appreciate them. They will be passed down to the next generation.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Bill! I wish I had more of my dad's tools.

[@jackthompson2132]

Nice restoration! I agree with you about doing the restoration. I have a lot of my dad’s old tool with his name in graves that I have left but wouldn’t expect others to keep. Thank You for sharing Magdad.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jack!

[@2dividedby3equals666]

I do love me some Starrett!! Great looking restoration, thanks for sharing and take care!

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I just got some Starrett punches that could use a clean up....

[@stanellis7805]

Awesome job Magdad! The couple of tools I have that my father etched our last name in, namely an axe and long handle sledge hammer are priceless. Hopefully, these will never end up at a flea market. Funny though, I’ve been annoyed when I see one that someone else has “ruined” by doing that. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Thanks again! 🇺🇸

[@357magdad]

Thanks Stan! I've got a couple items with my dad's name on them.

[@davidfinn3771]

It's a beauty, great job 👏

[@357magdad]

Thanks David!

[@garageshopminnesota]

No one can restore a screwdriver the way that you can. Beautiful work and entertaining video.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed "another" screwdriver video!

[@scottwatkins589]

I appreciate your approach to this project as well as your reasoning as to why you chose it.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Cleaning up old tools is fun!

[@briansworkshop01]

Great video and a fantastic screwdriver Thanks for sharing your time and skill 🍺🍺👍👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Brian!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Awesome restoration Magdad. I think you did the right thing. I go on a tool by tool evaluation. Some I barely knock the rust off and others I spend more time on... I really like what you did as usual lol

[@357magdad]

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

[@andyc972]

Thanks Magdad, that's a beautiful restoration, you have a very patient approach that invariably ends up with the "right" solution, the best restorers always repeatedly re-evaluate as they move along through a project, and this was a case in point, great job !

[@357magdad]

Thanks Andy!

[@IrishLion-re8bu]

I think the Starrett is museum quality, better than new. Mr. Holm would be honored. Dam everyone else lol.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! It is a nice lookin' little screwdriver!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Lovely! Rarely seen tool there. Came out fantastic! 😃👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks ScoutCrafter! I'm glad I spotted it on the $5 table!

[@frankg3072]

Nice cleanup. 👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks Frank!

[@shedmanx3640]

I’m a bit late to the party on this one, but I am gobbling smacked by the restoration of the screwdriver. You did a phenomenal job mate.

[@357magdad]

Thanks ShedMan! It's a nice little screwdriver!

[@unwired1281]

Another beautiful job. Starrett is wonderful stuff‼️ You did the right thing.

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@terryrogers1025]

Excellent restoration, came out beautiful, that screwdriver is quality made for sure. I would have gone restoration as an opposed to preservation as you have done for the reason you did. Thanks for the update, enjoyed watching.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Terry!

[@patjohnson3100]

I agree with your judgment on preservation vs. restoration. This is also an issue with vintage cars. I think every project has to be evaluated on its individual merits, and I would have removed the name, too. On the other hand, i have tools from both grandfathers, both of whom were born in the 19th Century. I haven't altered their inherited tools, tool box or tool carrier. You did a good job on that screwdriver. It was well worth your work. Even used Starret tools tend to be expensive.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Pat! I have some of my dad's tools that I don't feel right about cleaning up.

[@westhighlandsshop]

That one is ready for the Starrett Museum! Fantastic job Magdad! I think Mr. Holm would be happy with you did to his tool..

[@357magdad]

Thanks David! It is a sharp lookin' screwdriver!

[@ruhtra-k]

Nice job, as always! I tend to agree, if it was a marking from my grandfather, I would preserve it. If it was a marking no one will ever recognize or appreciate, then restore. An option for black paint in the future, I have used Clark + Kensington Hi-Gloss Premium indoor/outdoor black paint on furniture projects. It gives a really nice durable finish. Purchased at Ace Hardware. If you ever get a chance to purchase a can of Kroil, it is a great lubricant that penetrates rust like you wouldn’t believe. Keep up the great content!

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@The_Wood]

First! Yay!!! Hey there, MagDad. Great video as always!

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@williamkroth9429]

A few weeks ago, I bought a NOS exactly the same screwdriver on ebay and paid $55! But it is after all a STARRETT! Nice job in saving this little jewel.

[@357magdad]

$55 wow! I'm glad I found mine on the $5 table! I guess you could argue that I put $50 worth of labor into it....

[@rge2410]

Nicely done Chuck and Magdad!

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@garyryman4947]

Beautiful job. Could be a nice addition to Mrs Magdad’s sewing machine toolkit.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Gary! It is a handy size!

[@Tektoes1]

You will now get all kinds of excited when you next require a small slotted screw that needs turning. Very nice work again. It wasn't due to this video, but today I put leather on my hand vise. Saw you using it that way. Makes sense, and maybe now I will use mine more.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I use scrap leather a lot for holding items.

[@kimbishop4734]

Loved it. A great, honest restoration of a great tool.😊

[@357magdad]

Thanks Kim!

[@JamesP_TheShedShop]

You did an outstanding job and you did it right. Right on 👍🏻

[@357magdad]

Thanks James!

[@patrickrhin9152]

Hey !Bonjour Magdad vraiment une très belle restauration, le tournevis est comme neuf et prêt à l'emploi, super. ❤

[@357magdad]

Thanks Patrick!

[@ivanstiles7030]

Beautiful restoration Magdad. It looks great

[@357magdad]

Thanks Ivan!

[@FrankRush-s2l]

Another great job. Very detailed restro. I alway try to keep the manufacturers name if possible. You made right the decision . Mr Holms was like my dad. My dad put his name on many of his tools. I can’t bring myself to sand his name off. Great job

[@357magdad]

I've got a couple things my dad marked too.

[@Weirdguy54]

What a nice job you did with a beautiful tool, thanks for the video. I know several machinists who worked their whole careers at L.S. Starrett.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I got another Starrett project coming up soon - stay tuned!

[@chrisT5259]

What a fantastic restoration magdad. Top job as alwzys. Screwdriver looks great and its a starrett to boot!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Chris!

[@PennsylvaniaMike]

Very nice restoration. I am a sucker for wooden handled screwdrivers.. You did a great job.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Me too Mike!

[@johnr1878]

It turned out great. Either the restoration or bringing it back to it's original glory was fine, there wasn't a right or wrong way.

[@357magdad]

Thanks John!

[@TheKidFromYTown]

Well, first things first. I didn't even catch that about the ferrule, collet thing until you mentioned it but I still knew at you were talking about. Having said that, I think the screwdriver came out really nice. and looks good. As far as leaving the former owners name on it, sometimes I think you should leave it. I sometimes post about stuff like that. I wonder about the history of these old tools. If they were passed down through the family (if there was a family). What was the owner like, their life, experiences. I don't know if it's low-t in my old age but I get real sentimental about everything anymore. I sure don't fault you for taking the name off though. Hell, I might even have done it too. Guess it would just depend on how I felt that day.

[@357magdad]

I bet Mr Holm worked in a shop with a lot of sticky fingers....

[@TheKidFromYTown]

@@357magdad I imagine so or, on a more positive note, maybe he didn't want his tools to get mixed up with other people in the shop with the same tools. Naah, it was sticky fingers! 😄

[@christopherlusk9385]

Excellent job sir. I would have done the same as you...restored it. As always Chuck's contribution was great!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Christopher! Chuck is always ready to Flitz it!

[@timeflysintheshop]

Great job! Now you gotta keep an eye out for more of the special bits that fit the pocket screwdriver.

[@357magdad]

I think replacement bits are still available from Starrett.

[@timeflysintheshop]

@@357magdad I can only guess, but I am pretty sure they will be too expensive.

[@davidparker3346]

looks great. I would have done it like you did, except I would have restored the tip to hollow ground screwdriver like it came when it was new. some people call that type of screwdriver a gunsmith screwdriver. Starrett makes great tools. That's a cool little screwdriver.

[@357magdad]

Thanks David!

[@alexstools]

I like the black handle, you've gotten that real oldtime paint look (enamel or jappaning) quite right!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Alex! I like the satin black + steel wool + wax treatment.

[@chriholt]

What a sweet little screwdriver. In this case, I agree that a resto was the right call. Naturally, as you said, if there was some sentimental value to you or someone you know, then preservation would have been appropriate. In any case, a beautiful job!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Chris! It is a beauty!

[@rodrigomeza282]

You did the right thing. Congrats!

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@choppermike3329]

Really nice outcome, I like the black handle. Personally I think you did it the correct way, restoration. Chuck 2024!

[@357magdad]

Thanks Mike! Vote for Chuck!

[@christopherprince3250]

Great find and a great restoration.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Christopher!

[@oldguyknots]

Very good find and very nice restoration. I agree, it was better to do the restore rather than the preservation. I was doing a friends hammer, belonged to her grandfather. She didn't realize he had carved his name in the handle. I preserved that and now she proudly displays that hammer.

[@357magdad]

Thanks! Good call on the hammer!

[@gayle525]

That is super fine work Magdad. Keep it up you great guys.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Gayle!

[@johnmclaurin]

Beautiful job, I agree on the restoration vs. preservation…it looked kind of rough like it was and I doubt Mr. Holm (?) would have minded..

[@357magdad]

Thanks John!

[@Dalesworkshop]

Good find and restoration Magdad. It looks great. I think I would have removed the name also.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Dale!

[@geezer939]

Thanks for another good video. I think I would have done what you did, a give this great tool another complete lifetime.

[@357magdad]

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

[@johnfix1]

That's a sweet little screwdriver

[@357magdad]

It is a beauty, isn't it John!

[@62forged]

The screwdriver restoration came out great. I'd go for restore versus preserve.

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@ericcommarato7727]

The leather protector to protect the knurled part is an excellent idea!

[@357magdad]

I always keep some scrap leather around for clamping. I glued leather to the jaws of my hand vise.

[@ericcommarato7727]

@@357magdad thank you for posting. I’ve always tried an old terry cloth towel to protect, but never thought of leather.

[@357magdad]

@@ericcommarato7727 Give it a try!

[@MyMW3Channel]

I would've done the same. It looks great. It's a stylish screwdriver.

[@357magdad]

It is a nice lookin' screwdriver!

[@MrDoeboy356]

It looks like Chuck has had a beak job.

[@357magdad]

Must be the camera angle...

[@prasadvn524]

It is a beautiful screw driver.nice job

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@wallyarent6548]

Excellent. You did the correct thing

[@357magdad]

Thanks Wally!

[@Kirt-Davis]

Very nicely done.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Kirk!

[@bigfootscave445]

It came out really nice, it's always nice when things work out and it drastically changes for the better.. I would have chosen the same route also for this one...

[@357magdad]

Thanks! I'm glad I was able to get it apart!

[@billmccabe9601]

Better AND nicer than new.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Bill!

[@barryrankin587]

Fabulous job.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Barry!

[@garethwatkins8854]

Beautiful job

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@liljoeii6091]

I think turned out awesome thank you for the video

[@357magdad]

Thanks Joe!

[@robinhoff4598]

An outstanding as usual video.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Robin! I hope I find more of these little screwdrivers!

[@larryborkstrom3580]

That's a keeper can't go wrong with anything from LS sterrett

[@357magdad]

Thanks Larry!

[@melkc345]

Should I be the only dissenter and scold you for restoring and not preserving? Absolutely NOT! It belongs to 357magdad and not to Mr. Holms. Do with it as you please. IMHO, you did the right thing and such a great job. you turned that sow's ear into a silk purse, for certain. Cheers! Jim

[@357magdad]

Thanks Jim!

[@TheThriftyWoodworker]

Maybe you can find the pokey thing attachment. Great job.

[@357magdad]

I think Starrett still makes replacement bits.

[@thenkgarage]

Awesome Job!

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Nicely done

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@MASI_forging]

Nice work dude 👏👏

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Just beautiful 👍👍

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@kitmaira]

I would have done what you have done. Though I rarely take the time to restore or go the preservation route. I clean ‘em, and use ‘em.

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@roberthoug7864]

Very nice 357 makes me want to get in the basement and do some work on some stuff but I don't have the time eagle

[@357magdad]

Thanks Robert! Try to sneak down to the shop - even if it's just for a few minutes!

[@noads1035]

Uncle Bob says you did right. The tool looks like new.

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@tonylenge424]

Came out very nice! According to mr.pete, Starrett was bought out by an investment firm unfortunately. Another great US Co. looks like it may be gone.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Tony! I hope they survive!

[@prasadvn524]

Replacement blades are available from starret.

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@terrysmith4465]

Mr. Holm would approve .

[@357magdad]

I hope so Terry!

[@beerdrinker6452]

Very nice. Very.

[@357magdad]

Thank you!

[@geoffreyboyling615]

A nice little screwdriver. In reply to your request for opinions - I don't do patina, character, history or any of that sort of thing - in my opinion they're just a lazy excuse for not doing a proper job If I restore or repair anything I try to get it looking as good as I can, preferably like new or better.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Geoffrey!

[@Papa-Anvil]

I did a quick search on eBay and it’s going for good money.

[@357magdad]

I think I did OK for $5!

[@Papa-Anvil]

@@357magdad Really good! It turned out really nice. 👍

[@p52893]

Worthy resto

[@357magdad]

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

[@robertlevine2152]

Magdad, I think the restoration was perfect. I'm not big on people engraving their names. If he had marked his name neatly it might have been different. Bob

[@357magdad]

Thanks Bob!

[@roberthoug7864]

I agree with you on the restoration rather than the preservation like you said if you're as your uncle or grandfather fine but it's a big BUT Eagle

[@357magdad]

Thanks Robert! I have a few items my dad marked his name on.

[@revbobuk]

Now I was really hoping you would show us the blade reversed and tucked away!

[@357magdad]

I'll have to try that!

[@bigpete4227]

Restored to the manufacturer's standard everytime. If possible, to the designers ideals.

[@357magdad]

Thanks Pete!

[@larrynelson734]

Hi magdad. You did a really great job on that starrett. I'm surprised that you don't have any of scout crafters 50/50rust remover lol. Just kidding. 👍👍❤🤠...

[@357magdad]

Thanks Larry! CRC sent me the knock'er loose to try out.

[@paulhall9713]

When I see names carved into tools it just makes me think of how much more material will be lost getting rid of it.

[@357magdad]

I'm glad Mr Holm carved his name into the wood rather than the metal!

[@gator83261]

Cool.

[@357magdad]

Thanks!

[@TheCleric42]

I can’t believe you didn’t let Chuck carve his name into the handle!

[@357magdad]

Chuck has been practicing his autograph for when he wins the election...