Replies

1. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Sep 25, 2000 04:20pm | #1

   *
   I got a big old Yankee with a wooden handle. They were just going out when I was breaking in. Used to be able to get bits for them at any hardware store. Akward to carry around, and you had to be real straight to the screw, or you'd slip off and leave a pretty nasty gash in the jamb (or whatever)...now I'm gonna go see if I can find that old gal...

1. 
   Mike_Smith | Sep 25, 2000 04:41pm | #2

   *had two .. a little nine inch,.. and the big mother jim described..both say"" Yankee"".. still got both but they haven't seen the light of day since my first makita cordless..my boss made us take the recoil springs out so we wouldn't get the gouge jim described..the other time / labor saver was a screw driver bit chucked into a bit and brace...which all the linemen around here still carry...

1. 
   Adrian_Wilson | Sep 25, 2000 05:13pm | #3

   *Yeah, I have a little Yankee too, but the big one is the bomb.Mine doesn't have any springs. Even if you don't extend it, you have a great ratcheting screwdriver. Snap-on wants $75 for a decent ratcheting screwdriver. If I have a lot of screws to do, yeah, I'll go cordless, but if you're just walking around a house or up a ladder and have a few to do, this is the ticket.I also have a brace; great for old screws on houses and furniture; unbelievable how much more torque you can apply so you can back those old screws out without snapping the heads. I also have a set of English cabinetmakers screwdrivers with a flat on them so you can clamp a wrench to them and increase the torque. Sometimes muscle power is the way to go.

1. 
   Kimball_Dhillon | Sep 25, 2000 05:26pm | #4

   *I helped an old carpenter put in a kitchen in the early 70's. He had a big old Stanley yankee and he drove 3 1/2" steel flathead screws in one shot. Damndest thing I ever saw.("Hold this cabinet steady here boy, and act like you got some damn sense!") Got myself a set of three, also Stanley's when I was in Germany in the 80's. Never have had much luck with the big one, at least not for a quick drive. The smaller two get used once in while, usually during punch out.

1. 
   Gary_Weisenburger | Sep 25, 2000 06:05pm | #5

   *In my early days, as a wooden boatbuilder, I used Yankees and bit braces, depending on the screw I wanted to spin. I once used the mechanic's impact wrench to spin about a thousand #18 slotted screws while refastening a wooden hull. Frankly, I believe I'm fortunate to have battery powered, torque settable screwdrivers.During my first ten years in the trade, I used a Yankee often to drive #12 or smaller screws, and I frequently damaged the wood or my hand. I wasn't the only one, the old salts occasionally had a bandaid on their finger, the result of a Yankee slip. Early on, I learned to remove the Yankee's spring - you don't need it. The problem with the Yankee, is that it's just not easy to keep the bit in the screw head, align the driver straight into the drilled and countersunk hole, while pumping one hand to turn the screw. It takes lots of practice.My choice of hand driven screw drivers: I much prefer a bit brace (I tossed my Yankee overboard long ago - it doesn't even have any nostalgic value to me). I own a couple bit braces: one with a 3-inch swing and another, for bigger screws and bolts, with a 6-inch swing. And I still use them.I sure like my battery powered DeWalts.

2. 
   Ron_Budgell | Sep 26, 2000 02:24am | #6

   *I've got my father's "Rapier No. 3, Made by the Anglo-Scottish Tool Co. Ltd." I'd love to put it in the tool box and take it to work, but it's functionally worthless to me with only a single straight bit. A kind soul at Lee Valley Tools told me that you can buy 1/4" hex adapters (3 shank sizes) from McFeely's Square Drive Screws Co. in Virginia. One would cost me more than $25 by the time I got it here. I can't find McFeely's (I love that name) address, but they advertise in FHB.Ron

3. 
   Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Sep 26, 2000 02:47am | #7

   *Adrian, I also have and use an old Yankee. If you check out McFeeley's catalog, they have Yankee bits that are magnetic and accept a variety of bits.

4. 
   Thomas_Moen | Sep 26, 2000 03:05am | #8

   *Yeah!! I've got a really old one, with the spring removed. I just play with it mostly. Like others have said, I usually prefer to use a brace to drive screws. I'm on the lookout for a 6" swing, 'cause my 10" and 12" are just too big for driving most screws. I also have a small Yankee ratcheting screwdriver with a flat blade. I've used it quite a bit. Its just a little longer than a stubby.Anyone know where I can get spare bits for the big Yankee?

5. 
   Adrian_Wilson | Sep 26, 2000 04:29am | #9

   *All rightee...gonna check out McFeely's. And like I said, I'm looking for Philips and especially Robertson drivers, so the cam-out problem with slotted screws isn't that big a deal. I'm kind of taken aback that so many guys still use a brace; I do, but I really thought it was one of those almost died out things. Me cockles are all warm.Ron, how does that adapter thingee work?

6. 
   Adrian_Wilson | Sep 26, 2000 04:57am | #10

   *Never mind Ron...I just checked it out at McFeelys. Gotta have one. Thanks guys.

7. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Sep 26, 2000 06:23am | #11

   *spoken like a true tool junkie Adrian.

8. 
   lonecat | Sep 26, 2000 06:26am | #12

   *I bought the big Stanley with the wine colored handle in '71 and hung about four million apartment doors in steel jambs. Also had a Paslode finish nailer that weighed about 50 pounds. This is about when the ole carpel-tunnel first showed up. The last time I dug my Yankee out I found that someone has used it for a tire iron or crowbar or something- didn't bother me too long. Cordless drivers since '87.

9. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Sep 26, 2000 06:33am | #13

   *'71. I finally figured it out today while waiting for my Cheddar + Cheese at Arby's that that was the first summer I worked as a carpenter's helper. Right before my Jr. year of (hey! you wanna get) high school.

10. 
    lonecat | Sep 26, 2000 06:46am | #14

    *I had to go through about 40 little tract houses and putty nail holes to prove myself. Took a week. Then I had to go buy a pickup so I could haul the table saw, compressor, chop saw, etc., etc., etc. that the boss brought for me.

11. 
    jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Sep 26, 2000 03:49pm | #15

    *Man, I bet you were grinnin' ear to ear with all that stuff in the back of your truck. Probably took better care of it than if it were your own.

12. 
    rob.kelly | Sep 26, 2000 05:56pm | #16

    *I bought the medium(?) Yankee (abt 18" extended) in 1961 after seeing what an old guy on the crew could do with it. You had to grind the slotted bits so the sides were parallel, and they wouldn't slip as much. I never took out the return spring because often I'd just pump it 3-4" at a time till the screw was home.Anyhow, I used it daily until about 1985, when my wife gave me a 9.6v Makita for Xmas. I have not used it since. The bits were the same diameter as a "K" drill bit, and I modified the shank of one of those drill bits to fit the Yankee so I could drill a quick 1/4"+ hole to thread a wire, etc.

13. 
    Joe_Hennessey | Sep 28, 2000 04:19am | #17

    *Good for jabbing holes in fingers of left hand. Got is somewhere, about 16" long? Maroonish handle, guess so the blood won't show? Another thing I should throw away next time I see it, it's in a box with a bunch of junk tools somewhere. Joe H

14. 
    RichMast_ | Sep 28, 2000 04:33am | #18

    *If you're still looking for bits, try an old hardware store, if you still have one by you. Near me you can still get them sold in small manilla envelopes, yellowed with age.The best bits I found were the drill bits that filled my need for quick holes in the days before cordless (battery operated) drills. Electricians always had short Yankees in their tool belts to install anchors for conduit clips, box mounting, etc.I still have mine from those old days, although my Makita has made it unnecessary most of the time. I do think it was probably faster in a lot of cases. Be sure to pick up some drill bits for things like hinge screw holes where precise diameter is not required, and speed is nice.

15. 
    tezor_ | Oct 25, 2000 06:44pm | #19

    *I've been working on boats for 24 years, when I started they were just starting to offer cordless drills. The yankee and the push drill were at the time, the way to go. I still have them but they sit in the box with all the bits, the screwdriver is still the best to use for new holes in your hand or to screw up the finish on a $45 splinter of teak.

16. 
    chuck_a_crawford | Oct 27, 2000 02:07am | #20

    *Used one a lot coming up as a kid helping my dad. I bought one at a flea market a few years ago but have never used it. I havn't needed one since I got my Bosch T handle drills. I do remember several gouged fingers, and other things. I still see various bits for them at local yards and hardware stores.Chuck

17. 
    Stephen_Weber | Oct 28, 2000 01:33am | #21

    *I am trying to find parts to repair an old Millers-Falls #29 Yankee that my father had. It is missing some kind of pin where you change the ratchet. Anyone have any suggestions. I use may Yankees all of the time. I find that many times they are quicken than hauling the battery drill or screw gun around.

18. 
    GACC_DAllas | Oct 29, 2000 06:41am | #22

    *I had a old Yankee........a big one. The guy I bought it from planed one side of the handle flat enough that it wouldn't roll around on him....good idea.I haven't used it since they invented the cordless. I guess I should look for it.....havn't seen it in a while.Ed. Williams

19. 
    Art_B | Oct 31, 2000 03:34pm | #23

    *As with many other responses, I've 6 Yankee's ranging from 18" closed to 6" - have not used them since 1970's. I do still use a brace to drive 4" X 1/4" screws for visible strike plates, but use a 1/2" air impact for bolts that aren't finish hdw or visible.

20. 
    vanderpooch_ | Nov 06, 2000 02:35am | #24

    *if any of you live in the northwest and are looking for adaptors, w.c. winks hardware in portland has three sizes, for abou ten bucks. i bought one for my millers falls and now i use it all the time. i've found i use it as a racheting screwdriver about fifty percent of the time. i can get a good grip on the big handle.

21. 
    Skip_Keith | Nov 07, 2000 07:10am | #25

    *I still drag out one of my yankees at times.I've got two of the large one's, two medium sized ones with the long handle and a small one for hardware installation. when I'm in an old hardware store I keep my eyes open an occassionally score a bit or two. Finding one of those old hardware stores is really a treat. Skip

22. 
    Danny_Waite | Nov 09, 2000 07:30am | #26

    *Any one who has about 10 minutes and a file can make a universal bit holder for a Yankee. Just take a standard 1/4 inch hex drive bit holder(either magnetic or spring lock) and file the shank down to the same profile as a standard Yankee bit. You must match the little notch and bevel that is on the end of the standard Yankee bit. The magnetic bit holder allows you to use any 1/4 inch hex bit--Phillips, square drive, torx, allen, whatever. Never be without a bit again!

23. 
    susan_johnson | Dec 02, 2000 06:25pm | #27

    *my husband has a couple of dark red wooden handled racheting screw drivers. they say on the metal part where the rachet part is housed,'general'. underneath that is new York, and under that, made in england'. I think he got them in england. I've always used some gimpy but light-weight electric screw driver for my little projects. i happened to use this red-handled one and was delighted. will still use electric for much, but i was convinced this red handled tool is must for everyone. well, i can't find them. i'd love to order a few for christmas. does anyone know where i contact, or have some for sale?

24. 
    vanderpooch_ | Dec 03, 2000 07:44am | #28

    *susan, garrett wade and highland hardware both stock new, made-in-england stanley yankees, and they are both on the web. they cost a freakin' mint though. i've had really good luck at estate sales and flea markets. i've been scolded for sharing tool junkie secrets, but e-bay is great too. if you happen to live in or near seattle, hardwicks has boxes of the damn things. good luck.

25. 
    John_Sprung | Dec 08, 2000 08:53pm | #29

    *I still have two or three of my grandfather's Yankees, along with a lot of other 1920's and 30's stuff. They're harder to control than the ever-handy Makita, and because you have to push so much harder, you do a lot more damage if you slip. The only really old thing I still use regularly is the Delta Unisaw.-- J.S.

26. 
    Dan_MacDaniel | Dec 08, 2000 10:24pm | #30

    *McFeely's sells a ready-made 1/4" hex-drive adaptor for $10.Dan MacD

27. 
    Bee_Jay | Mar 05, 2001 06:37am | #31

    *I'm a bit late on this. I just found this thread.My big ole dark red handled Yankee is labeled North Brothers. It does have the Yankee logo, just like a Stanley, but it's bronze, not chrome plated like these nancy Stanleys. I've always wondered about North Brothers. Anybody clue me in?Thanks, JB

28. 
    Ed_Gregg | Mar 05, 2001 02:13pm | #32

    *Many of Stanley's products were really produced by others and Stanley simply acquired the company - they built a whole power tool division doing this. North Brothers made the spiral ratchet screwdriver and Stanley purchased them. My vintage '60's spiral ratchet carries the famous "Yankee" brand with North Bros as a division of Stanley. The chrome finish was electroplated onto a base metal - I wonder if your screwdriver has had sufficient usage that the chrome is just worn off.

29. 
    paul_craig | Mar 05, 2001 11:25pm | #33

    *yeh the best yankees are the older ones . i got otwo when i started an they still work well today.

30. 
    blue_eyed_devil_ | Mar 10, 2001 05:58pm | #34

    *I lent my yankee many years ago. Its still in the guys garage.Good riddance.blue

2. 
   Adrian_Wilson | Mar 10, 2001 05:58pm | #35

   *
   There are a couple of references to Yankee screwdrivers in the archives, so I'm assuming some of you guys use them. I always wanted one, picked up a beaut yesterday (actually a Millers Falls clone) for 20$. From what looks to be a date stamp, it's 53 years old and it's mint. Works like a dream, and has the feel of a Mercedes. Now all I need is to buy or modify some Philips and Robertson driver bits, and I'm good to go on jobs that don't justify lugging a cordless around. Who else has one?