My Proto Yellow Handle screwdrivers

[bonneyman]

Hi Bonneyman. As promised, here are my old Proto screwdrivers. I was very lucky to find these, as a local industrial rigging company was selling its inventory of Proto tools. I still don’t know why they were competing with the distributor. They are a solid company when it comes to anything with steel cable. Why they would want to get into the tool business is a puzzle to me.

That said, they decided to get out of the business and I got a tip that they would unload everything real cheap. So I checked it out and walked away with a large accumulation of NOS Proto tools and display boards. After some years of looking into the screwdriver sets, I realized that the most of open face sets did not match the catalogs. I suspect that the company parted out the sets based on customer requests and replaced the sets with whatever screwdriver was handy. Didn’t mind, because I got such a great deal.

Anyway, here are my yellow Proto screwdrivers. I have some more some place, but I’ll have to find them. Great screwdrivers at a fraction of the price that Snap-on commands.

Nice collection and a great deal!

[bonneyman]

Some real nice mods there Bman.
I've only got one proto betr grip ,a 9604 and it's my go to flat blade screwdriver for various things out in the garage.
It's just plain awesome and the grip really is excellent, if the steel sucked I'd have no problem using the handle for something but it's just such a good screwdriver as is.

Thanks!

I have fallen in love so to speak with the yellow handle grip and so whenever I find a tool that I like I see if I can upgrade it using a Proto handle.

[fatfillup]

Sweet collection.  Good luck on the missing ones.

I too have used Lauvers screwdriver secrets for both removing handles and polishing them.  He is right on the money

[d42jeep]

I need to get a picture of my Proto screwdriver drawer. I pick up every one I see. I’m not taking the handles off of these spinners though!
-Don

[hickory n Steel]

I need to get a picture of my Proto screwdriver drawer. I pick up every one I see. I’m not taking the handles off of these spinners though!
-Don

The one I had must've been newer or something, the shank was one diameter all the way to the tip like you'd see on an extension.

[bonneyman]

I need to get a picture of my Proto screwdriver drawer. I pick up every one I see. I’m not taking the handles off of these spinners though!
-Don

The one I had must've been newer or something, the shank was one diameter all the way to the tip like you'd see on an extension.

I don't know the years, but Proto drivers went through several style changes.

These ones that I like are the vintage ones. I think somebody told me they were discontinued by 1980. Epstein has newer yellow handles (numbering is farily close, but the material looks like acetate), and the brand brand new ones are the DuraTek. Though nice, they just don't have the allure for me as the old Betrgrips.

http://www.protoindustrial.com/literatures/Brand/Proto/IARDTSDBR_DuraTek%20Screwdriver%20Brochure.pdf

[d42jeep]

I got a chance to take a picture of my Proto screwdriver drawer. Bonneyman, if you post a current list of the ones you are missing I will see if I have any of them.
-Don

[bonneyman]

I got a chance to take a picture of my Proto screwdriver drawer. Bonneyman, if you post a current list of the ones you are missing I will see if I have any of them.
-Don

Don, the numbers of the 5 I'm missing are in my original post. Thanks!

Here's hoping you have some or all! 

[J.A.F.E.]

I wonder what solvent could be used to liquify the yellow material. (You know I've got too much time on my hands if I'm thinking like this!). I've got a bunch of broken, chipped, split, and mangled yellow handles. Wondering if I could make a mold of a pristine one and cast some "new" handles using the old damaged ones as raw material? Probably be dangerous as hell, toxic and flammable. But I'm wondering if it's possible?

I've tried acetone, xylene, methylene chloride, and MEK. Nothing.

You might try ether and alcohol if you are the adventurous type. I believe they are the solvents used to make the stuff but don't recall if it is ethanol or methanol.

[d42jeep]

I got a chance to take a picture of my Proto screwdriver drawer. Bonneyman, if you post a current list of the ones you are missing I will see if I have any of them.
-Don

Don, the numbers of the 5 I'm missing are in my original post. Thanks!

Here's hoping you have some or all! 

I have a 9633 and it’s not the best looking screwdriver I’ve ever seen but it’s yours if you want it.
-Do

[bonneyman]

That poor old soldier would have to go in my recycle bucket. 

I'm trying to come up with a solvent that will dissolve old chewed handles like that and cast some new ones. So far haven't found anything that will do that.

But thanks anyway.

[d42jeep]

Sorry it was in such bad condition. Here are a couple of Proto yellow handled drivers in my Clutch Head driver tools.
-Don

[d42jeep]

Bonneyman,
I found a couple of clutch head drivers today so I now have an extra if you need one.
-Don

[bonneyman]

I've got all the 4 clutch heads, sir. But I appreciate you keeping me in mind.

Still lacking the 5 numbers.

[daves_not_here]

Funny - I was searching for PROTO screwdriver displays tonight when this thread popped up. 

I didn't even know the site was back up. 

Thanks, George!