Garage Gazette
TOOLS AND THE SHOP => MECHANIC HAND TOOLS WE USE => Topic started by: bonneyman on February 17, 2019, 05:12:59 PM
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VACO - the almost ubiquitous nutdriver. I've been using the standard 5" versions for years, but never knew they made extra long and stubby versions till fairly recently. So, I've been on the hunt to find them.
Post up what you've got! (P.S. Older Xcelite nutdrivers are acceptable here as well.)
Here is the nearly complete set of standard drivers I had, missing only the 9/16". As I have a thing about "complete" sets and I couldn't find that last one, I sold the set last fall to a forum member who could use them. Still have lots of odds and end users, but this set made a nice photo.
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Here's an older Xcelite table set with replaceable drive tips. Just couldn't find a use for it, so, it too went on the selling block.
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Came across my first extra long driver about 2 years ago (a 1/4"). Kept an eye open for the 5/16" - which I thought was the only other long size they made. Finally found a long 5/16", and a stubby.
Still pounding the pavement for the others of the set. (Though to be honest if I got the 11/32" and 3/8" - in long and stubby -I'd call it a day.) :D
And just recently found a extra long 1/2" (that's when I learned they made the long style in bigger sizes).
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Back in the day Xcelite was made (or the company headquarters were in ) Orchard park, New York. Have found a few tools so marked. Not many, but a few. Don't know what age that puts on 'em. If anybody knows when they moved this thread would be a good place to state that.
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George, do you know for certain they made a 9/16. Most sets stop at 1/2 in my experience unless its a truck brand
I use the heck out of 1/4 and 5/16 for hose clamps and the long and stubby versions come in handy.
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Made my own stubby 5/16 by cutting off about half the handle, pushing the blade up though the handle further and whacking off the excess and finished off the cut end with some JB weld
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George, do you know for certain they made a 9/16. Most sets stop at 1/2 in my experience unless its a truck brand
I use the heck out of 1/4 and 5/16 for hose clamps and the long and stubby versions come in handy.
I have not seen one in person, though IIRC I've seen some pics on various forums. Here's an old Xcelite on the bay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Xcelite-HS18-Hollow-Shaft-Nutdriver-9-16/273663006103?hash=item3fb7961597:g:GvoAAOSwJ7RcQgSh:rk:4:pf:0
And kudos on using them for aviation clamps! ;D
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Both are very much alike-these are all available for sale/trade LMK if interested...…..Cranky O:-)
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Excelite did put out a 9/16 and a 5/8 ;D
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Excelite did put out a 9/16 and a 5/8 ;D
Mama! :-\
Shoot, I forgot I have some VACO screw starters as well.
And all of my enclosed nut drivers stink! The ones hanging on the pegboard are fine.
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In some circles it is well known that I have an unnatural fascination with nutdrivers. I’m afraid that these pictures are not going to help. The first two are Vaco and the next two are Xcelite.
-Don
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8)
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Here is an old Xcelite set and my oldest Xcelite nutdriver.
-Don
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My VACO screw starters
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Found this set yesterday cleaning shop-look to be identical to Vaco/Xcelite? Probably were mfg by one of them as Radio Shack/Tandy and a few others mkt these in the day for precision work... Archer was a co. that was forced out of business due to outsourceing>???
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Found this set in the bottom of a junk bucket at a pawn shop. The drivers where scattered in the bucket then I found the holder and put this set together.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d6dfb81777ad41dab8a29703c2db7bcd.jpg)
But that smell though............
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Ballistol gun oil and water, 50/50 mix. Soak the handles it the mix for 30 minutes. Remove and wipe dry.
The ballistol neutralizes acidic residue which initiates the deterioration and then is a product of the decay and produces the smell. After such treatment my drivers stay odor free for about 2 months.
I'm just noticing all the posted drivers. Is the color code of the handles standardized by size? I think it is and it seems to be, but I'm not sure. Anyone know?
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An Orchard Park-era distributor tool.
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Found a long style 3/8"er over the weekend! The shank and broaching are pristine, but the handle has been wrenched on. Gotta figure out what I'm going to do with it.
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Ballistol gun oil and water, 50/50 mix. Soak the handles it the mix for 30 minutes. Remove and wipe dry.
The ballistol neutralizes acidic residue which initiates the deterioration and then is a product of the decay and produces the smell. After such treatment my drivers stay odor free for about 2 months.
I'm just noticing all the posted drivers. Is the color code of the handles standardized by size? I think it is and it seems to be, but I'm not sure. Anyone know?
Here is a well used Craftsman set that show the standardized colors with the sizes marked. The 7/16” are brown, the 1/2” are red, the 9/16” are kind of pink and the 5/8” are yellow, I believe.
-Don
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Here are a few more. Husky, Craftsman and Walden.
-Don
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Found a long style 3/8"er over the weekend! The shank and broaching are pristine, but the handle has been wrenched on. Gotta figure out what I'm going to do with it.
I gave in over the weekend and swapped out a blue handle from a standard VACO nutdriver. Then I put 'er in storage.
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My VACO screw starters
Those Vaco starters really work well.
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Here is my little collection. This is nothing I would have bought other than it came in an old unique S-K tool box I wanted filled with old tools. Guy would not sell me just the box unless I paid for all the tools inside. I laugh to see the UL symbol on 2. Not an electrician but no way I would use any of that stuff on live wires.
The reversible is interesting. 2 patent numbers. 2,046,837 on the Phillips blade which is a 1936 patent for Phillips. Just above but not in the pic is license #14. Back then I believe you had to pay a license fee to make the screwdriver to fit the screws. The other patent 2,596,594 from 1952 is for the design of a reversible blade.
I never knew what the empty black handle was until I just looked it up. "Torque Amplifier." Slide the larger black handle over a smaller midget handle for the larger grip provided by the black handle. That is what I figure from the 3rd picture which is from ebay after my search.