The Yankee Screwdriver

[@bradgotschall3259]

My grandpa was a carpenter beginning in the 1920’s. Worked with his Yankees till shortly before he passed in 1988. The only cordless screwdriver he ever owned. And he could certainly use one like a boss. He had Popeye’s forearms and big strong hands till the day he died. Miss him a lot but get to use his tools and “work” with him when I use them 😊

[@Mountainmanjason]

That's a great connection. Thanks for passing it along. They were and still are great tools!

[@alangross2277]

Yankee screwdrivers are the bomb! I bought one in 1978 or 1979, when I began my Carpenter Apprenticeship Program, as part of my tool-up requirement. I have always preferred the spring loaded models over the unloaded models. I find the spring tension helps keep the tool in the screw head, because you don't have to pull up on the handle to operate it. My 130A was the only one I had for many years. I didn't buy a drill driver for many of those years, because I didn't need one and my Yankee never ran out of juice! Also, I have found I can get quite a bit of torque with the 130A, with both hands on the longer grip of the newer model 130A. I just picked up a 135A. The 131A is the biggest of the three sizes. Here's a bit of info from Wikipedia on the different Yankee sizes: "There were 3 different size spring chucks, and therefore 3 different shank size tips or sometimes called points, to fit various models. Generally all tips made by North Brothers or Stanley were stamped with the corresponding number of the model screwdriver they would fit, but the stamped numbers are often difficult to see, so it's a good idea to know the size you need before you set out to find tips for your screwdriver. The smallest size was the number 35, so any of the model numbers with 35 in the number, like No. 135A is the smallest tip shank diameter, measuring 7/32" (5.5mm) diameter shank. (Note that all the handyman models with 33 in their model number also have the No. 35 size chucks, the smallest size tips). The middle size is the No. 30 size, and all numbers with the 30 in them have a chuck shank size of 9/32" (7mm) diameter. The biggest size is the No. 31, and all numbers with 31 in them have a chuck diameter of 5/16" (8mm) diameter. A '1' in front of the number denotes a return spring fitted."

[@Mountainmanjason]

Great info, thanks!

[@QlueDuPlessis]

My yankee is a no-name plastic handle from the eighties. The two screwdriver bits and three drill bits store in the hollow handle.

[@MrWolfSnack]

I found the 131A at Restore for $2. It can legit be used as a weapon with how big it is. It needs a little bit of grease because it binds, and the bit is missing, but its still altogether.

[@tominhouston1]

I have a 130 Stanley from my Grandfather. It is 17.5 " fully extended from the chuck to the end of the handle. I found a North Bros. 131A (a big boy) in a second hand shop in Bryan Tx. Fully extended it is 25" from the chuck to the end of the handle. They are amazing machines.

[@ArenaAccessories]

These are surprisingly cheap online second-hand... i just inherited a Stanley Handyman from my grandfather (with 8 or 10 bits) and can't wait to start using it! The bits are often tougher to find than the screwdrivers themselves! I never knew these were called "yankee screwdrivers". Thanks for the cool video, Jason!

[@johnburens3395]

I just scored a pristine 30A made by North Bros. for $5 at a local swap meet. The handle doesn't even have a scratch on it and the shank still has the yellowish anodizing. My Dad had one of these and I can't remember how many spankings I got for playing with it without asking first! lol Definitely a cool and useful old tool.

[@Mountainmanjason]

Great find! Hope you enjoy it as much I as I have mine.

[@Robert.R.83]

i was lucky enough to find one at an antique store the other day but there were no bits to be found. theres lots of tools around the shops here in town so i'll venturenout again soon and start digging through rust and grease

[@leebrewer1190]

I paid 7.00 for a large Yankee Screwdriver at a garage sale. The hex bit adapter shown is about 20.00. I think i will just take my 2.00 hex bit adapter for my cordless drill, cut the step in the non-action end and also file a groove in the shank just like on the Yankee bits.

[@code4pay]

You can take a grinder to a normal (modern day bit) and make it work in these, that's what I did to get a Phillips head bit for mine.

[@dravensnow]

I’ve never seen these stubby handle models before they look amazing. I currently have a North Bros Yankee with no screw on the end to access the spring, any idea on how I can remove the handle? Thanks and great vid

[@Mountainmanjason]

Hi Kris, thank you. I've have not tried to get the handle off of mine, but I suspect it may be riveted/pinned on. That makes it a tab bit more difficult to get off. I'll look at mine a bit more carefully and let you know if I have any ideas. Good luck.

[@dravensnow]

Jason Stamper Hi thanks for the reply, yeah I’d appreciate you letting me know if you do ever figure it out. The spring I mine isn’t working so I wanted to replace it. I may just have to destroy the handle and replace but I was just hoping it wouldn’t come to that.

[@barriep9]

Hi Jason my Dad had these and when he died I took these because they remind me of him but can the screwbits be bought still?

[@ubon39]

what size is the unit from miller falls? they sell 3 different sizes. I have the same driver as yours.

[@walterjordan4701]

I have a Miller Falls. Model #62 Yankee screw driver. I can't get it to release out of the handle. The forward and reverse have a small notch, and the release also has a small notch. They don't quite line up. Is this the problem ? And can you tell me how to repair it. Thanks

[@Mountainmanjason]

Hi Walter. Yeah there could be some grit or other junk that is not allowing the release to line up properly. I have honestly never taken one apart so I'm not sure on that. You could try spraying some oil in there to see if you can get it to break loose. Sometimes adding some oil and working the parts can get things moving. The locking collar is the big thing to focus on. Good luck. Oh you might also try googling yankee screwdriver rebuild, I'm sure someone has done a tutorial on that. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[@valterleao6795]

Adorei o vídeo, recentemente ganhei uma igual a essas, para ser mais exato a grande, e não sabia como trocar as ponteiras, agora sei! Abraço aqui do Brasil 🇧🇷

[@zachariahjohnson5596]

I couldn't understand the company you said sold those hex bit holders, cold you send me the link?

[@Mountainmanjason]

They can be found a several woodworking retailers, but I got mine from Lee Valley. They have 3 sizes to fit most of the yankee drivers. Thanks for the comment! www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=57809&cat=1,43411,43417

[@TacticalSoleSurvivor]

Can you put a link in for that pink bit adapter? It sounded like you said it was from "lee ally"?

[@rosshollinger8097]

Actually, the No. 31 (the long one) came with both flat head and Phillips between 1915 and 1920. Mine only has the flat head (my dad or granddad lost the Phillips).

[@LenHarms]

I recently found a number 31 in my shed, flat head is rusted in I think, I can't seem to budge it. Everything else is in pretty good condition and mechanism seems to work well.

[@regginretnuh5983]

I know you say it is a woodworking tool, but I use my north bros #30 on my motorcycles.

[@Mountainmanjason]

+REGGIN RETNUH They are great for computer repair as well! Good to hear more uses for these amazing tools, and thanks for the comment.

[@regginretnuh5983]

Jason Stamper Yea man no problem. Just happy I got all these old tools from my grandfather. Him and his father knew all the carpentry. I barely know anything for woodworking, but I appreciate USA made quality tools and this particular tool I can use for my mechanical stuff and electronics.

[@Mountainmanjason]

+REGGIN RETNUH That sounds great. I agree the old USA made stuff is much better than the imported crap coming in today. Sounds like you have a good set of tools to start with!

[@regginretnuh5983]

Jason Stamper Some of these tools are over 100 years old and they still work fine. Just a little oiling and they are good to go. I like the old punches and chisels too. I am confident they won't explode in my face like once happened with a chinese punch.

[@slinkeepy]

Excellent video, EXCEPT one small thing, didn't really show any successful operation of it... either couldn't see because of your hand, or you were basically avoiding using it because you didn't want to go into your bench... would have been nice, just a small constructive criticism, apart from that excellent info.

[@jimtrox4672]

Hahahah yeah bad, cover the use of the screwdriver so much I thought he was fucking with us on purpose...

[@code4pay]

You can take a grinder to a normal (modern day bit) and make it work in these, that's what I did to get a Phillips head bit for mine.

[@regginretnuh5983]

+Michael Mueller That's cool buddy, but for $8 you can just get this. www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=57809&cat=1,43411,43417&ap=2

[@Mountainmanjason]

+REGGIN RETNUH That is exactly what I have, and it works just fine. Thanks for the link.

[@regginretnuh5983]

Jason Stamper Yea I am going to order one soon for my #30. I don't like the color so I think I'll paint it black or just leave it bare metal.