Finds: Stanley Yankee Screwdrivers
By Sean O'Hara
Yankee Screwdrivers are the “semi-automatics” of the screw-driving world. You might have seen these growing up in your dad’s shop, but in an ironic twist the Yankee drivers are only available through Stanley in the UK.
Once in normal driving position, you push straight down on the handle that turns the chuck and bit on the end, which in turn drives the screw. The amount of “twist” is determined by the length of the barrel on the driver. The longer the barrel, the more rotation you receive on the other end.
All the drivers have a 3-position selector: locked, spiral-in, and spiral-out and range in sizes from small 11″ fully extended, medium 17″ and large which comes in at 25″ fully extended.
It’s an elegantly simple machine that has been around for decades, and though it may not be as fast as a newer electric driver, it does provide an old world craftsmanship “hands-on feel” that many woodworkers crave.
Street pricing starts at $49 plus shipping — which might be significant since they’ll be travelling overseas to many of you. The next time we talk to Stanley we’ll beg ‘em to bring ‘em over to the States.
Yankee Screwdrivers [Stanley]
Street Pricing [Froogle]
December 24th, 2006 at 12:15 am
Currently out of stock but distributed in the US: http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4063
A lot of old Bell phone guys carry Yankee drill/drivers for the occasional backboard mounting job. (You’ve seen the pile of phone crap screwed to the wall, right?) They’re faster than a manual screwdriver, more compact than a manual drill, they never leave you with a dead battery, and you’d be surprised how hard it is to find an outlet in some phone closets!
The oddball notched-shaft chuck is a hindrance, though. They’re available with a 1/4″ hex adapter, but it adds to the length and weight of the tool. I’m disappointed that nobody has a 1/4″ native version yet. Maybe eMachineShop and I should work something out.
December 24th, 2006 at 12:33 am
There is a version (not a Yankee) with a 1/4″ hex instead of the slotted chuck. It’s supposedly made in the USA too! It has a blue plastic handle and works like the original except for the quick release hex bit end. As soon as I get a chance I’ll take a look at mine and see who the manufacturer is. One of the nice things about it was it was only $20 (the larger version was less than $25).
Rob
December 24th, 2006 at 7:26 am
Here are some made in Japan - available from Lee Valley:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=54192&cat=1,43411,43417
Simon
December 24th, 2006 at 9:42 am
I will second what Myself said about the Bell guys. The first time I ever saw this tool was when the phone guy was installing a second line for me. This was back in the early 90’s.
December 24th, 2006 at 11:47 am
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0009XHRUE/ref=dp_olp_2/105-0752948-4741213
For a hex drive version from several merchants, might want to avoid ACE at that price.
July 3rd, 2007 at 10:14 am
[...] Think of this Yasutomo paper punch as the Yankee screwdriver’s younger, more specialized cousin. Pressure on the handle turns the center shaft so that the hollow, sharpened tip cuts easily into paper, fabric, or leather. It’s designed for bookbinding, but it’s great for leatherwork, too. [...]