Author Topic: I'm just a Screwball!  (Read 12201 times)

Offline bonneyman

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I'm just a Screwball!
« on: August 07, 2018, 03:59:24 PM »
Ratcheting driver, that is. Mechanism was a bit tight, so decided to drill a small hole and add cleaner, then oil, in an attempt to free it up. Worked like a charm, and I didn't have to split the case.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2018, 04:02:55 PM »
Here's the rest of a small lot of stuff I've found over the past week.
Double ratcheting box wrench in 1/2 x 9/16. Insulated phillips no-name driver, and a pair of belt hooks. The larger one will be modified to fit my old 9.6volt Makita cordless so I can hang it off the back of my jeans/belt. (A trick I learned from the younger guys during my temp jobs). Also found some more stick batteries for the thing, so, I've got 4 good batteries now. Drill, charger, and 4 sticks for $30 total investment (and alot of scrounging!)
« Last Edit: August 07, 2018, 04:07:06 PM by bonneyman »

Offline BuckHenry

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2018, 07:35:54 PM »
That ratcheting driver brigs back memories. I remember my older brother receiving his first tool kit in the mid eighties. It included one of those drivers, and I played with it every chance I got.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2018, 10:29:53 PM »
That ratcheting driver brigs back memories. I remember my older brother receiving his first tool kit in the mid eighties. It included one of those drivers, and I played with it every chance I got.

I just can't pass these things up. I know many consider them a gimmick tool, but they work well for me. And the operating mechanism on the Screwball's are steel. The EASYDRIVER ball is plastic throughout - though I've never stripped one out.

Offline Rewind

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2018, 01:29:31 PM »
Haven't seen one of those in years.
Hanging in, Hanging on, Hanging out!

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2018, 01:34:02 PM »
I have never seen one.
People who confuse etymology and entomology bug me in ways I can’t put into words.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2018, 02:38:53 PM »
It was an American invention, from the 1970's as I recall.

Found some history:

http://harveycountyvoices.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-tool-with-all-features-missing-in.html

Offline bonneyman

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #7 on: April 02, 2019, 06:54:15 PM »
Updated ratcheting ball driver pic, as of April 2, 2019. I just can't stop myself from grabbing these things. But I have to stop.

Two SCREWBALLS (yellow and red)
Four EASYDRIVER full-size (including one in the completed kit "tube") (red and black)
Four mini EASYDRIVER balls (3 all red and one red/black by Lyman Industries)
One Pratt-Read full size (yellow and black)
Plus an assortment of screwdriver, socket driver, and other shaft attachments.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2019, 10:33:48 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2019, 07:20:39 PM »
I took one EASYDRIVER ball and cut it in half to inspect the internal parts. I figured after all the years of use it'd be pretty worn out. To my surprise it was not in that bad of shape. I ended up epoxying it back together and it's still in use today in my work tote.

Offline hickory n Steel

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #9 on: April 02, 2019, 08:17:31 PM »
 Do you think I could do the same thing to free up this SB400 ?
It's pretty stiff.

« Last Edit: April 02, 2019, 08:24:40 PM by hickory n Steel »
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Offline bonneyman

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2019, 09:21:06 PM »
I've seen that brand but never owned one.

Send it to me when we do our trade and I'll see what I can do. No guarantees.   O:-)

Offline hickory n Steel

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #11 on: April 02, 2019, 09:51:34 PM »
I've seen that brand but never owned one.

Send it to me when we do our trade and I'll see what I can do. No guarantees.   O:-)
They made the screwball driver, this is just another version they offered.

I drilled a small hole and did the best I could, it's a little better now and I can actually turn the shaft by hand now but it's still pretty stiff.

When we do our trade you can just have it, got it in a box of junk years ago and never use it.
« Last Edit: April 02, 2019, 09:56:09 PM by hickory n Steel »
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Offline fatfillup

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2019, 07:41:41 AM »
George, you caused me to pick up a couple of those screwy things because of your endorsement.  Haven't used them yet but I think they could be darn handy especially as my hand strength deteriorates

Offline bonneyman

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #13 on: April 03, 2019, 02:09:54 PM »
George, you caused me to pick up a couple of those screwy things because of your endorsement.  Haven't used them yet but I think they could be darn handy especially as my hand strength deteriorates

Sorry, Phil - I've been told I have that effect on people.  :D

Offline Davethorik

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Re: I'm just a Screwball!
« Reply #14 on: April 04, 2019, 05:36:14 PM »
Quote from: hickory n steel
They made the screwball driver, this is just another version they offered.

Yes, the Screwball was made by S/V Tool Co. as well. Here is a Screwball new in box, also have a user but can't find it right now. I bought them both from an old hobby/model shop going out of business sale a couple years back. That was one of the more interesting sales I've been to.