Source for screwdriver shanks

[Deadeye]

I want to make my son a set of screwdrivers with turned handles.
I'd like an elegant and decent quality set of shafts/tips to mount. Any pointers where to find some?
Thanks as always

 

[marcros]

Veritas used to do some. Not sure if they still do or of their availability in the UK.

 

[Distinterior]

I think Snap-On sell them.....At least, they used to!!

 

[marcros]

My daughter is only 8, so some years to go before she will use a screwdriver, but it makes me wonder whether she will ever encounter anything other than a positive headed screw.

 

[kevinlightfoot]

Last years secret Santa delivered me a set of three screwdrivers they are in regular use and are brilliant,I don't know who made them but if they see this thread they could perhaps reveal themselves and let you know how to get some shanks or perhaps make some for you.Thanks again to my secret Santa ,and a Happy New Year to all.

 

[AndyT]

If you want something new and don't want to strip the handle off a good screwdriver, you could consider the extra long hex shaft screwdriver bits sold for electric drivers. There are plenty around at 150mm long.

 

[Deadeye]

Hi

Thanks for the replies. Veritas, Lee Valley and Snap on all seem to have stopped selling these.
I wonder who actually manufactures them?

I've seen the long hex drivers, but was really after the round ones with "wings".

 

[marcros]

That is a shame, but they seem to have disappeared from everywhere.

Unless you want to strip the handle off a new plastic handled one, have you considered rehandling a set of perfect pattern ones? No idea if there were any other cross head ones though.

 

[Inspector]

One of the original makers was Irwin and the screwdrivers are sometimes referred to as "Perfect Handle Screwdrivers", "Irwin Jeep Screwdrivers" or "US Army Tank screwdrivers". Garret Wade in the US seem to have some imports.

Pete

 

[AJB Temple]

Realistically, you can buy very high quality screwdrivers much cheaper than you can make them I you have to buy the shanks.

However....they are not difficult to make. I only know this because I am quite into shooting repairing shotguns, and I baulked at the price of the specialist screwdrivers for this. The blades are usually hollow ground, super precise and short.

If you look on shooting forums, and are prepared to cut through the know it all noise, there are some good tips. Getting carbon steel is not hard. Grinding is dead easy (go slow). The heat treatment is not difficult. This is an example thread.

https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewto ... 2&t=221436

 

[AJB Temple]

I copied this design. I used cut up old crown green bowling balls for the handles. Carbon steel blades. I can't for the life of me remember where I found the design - H Shank? is at the back of my mind.

The metal work is not difficult if you simplify the turning or use ready made ferrules. Heat treatment can be done with a MAPP blowtorch. Recently I bought a small forge and discovered that my skills with fire began and ended with the MAPP

 

[AndyT]

It's going to be much easier to get or make slotted rather than pozi, Philips or Torx.

Looking on eBay, there's a set of 6 Wera brand drivers with wooden handles for under £20. They would have suitable shafts that you could reveal by cutting away the wood.

 

[Silfi]

I am not sure what you mean by "wings" on the blade. If the style you want are in this Ebay item --- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Screw-Driver- ... 3052662397 -- then I have a similar set. If you think they would be suitable you can have them. 2 flat and 2 cross point approx 120mm long and never been used ( I never had the handle!).

 

[AndyT]

Crown Tools in Sheffield still make and sell traditional cabinet handle screwdrivers. (Flat head only.)

http://crownhandtools.ltd.uk/page23.html

You could phone them and see if they'd sell you the bare shafts - or you could just buy a set!

 

[ED65]

I want to make my son a set of screwdrivers with turned handles.
I'd like an elegant and decent quality set of shafts/tips to mount. Any pointers where to find some?
Thanks as always

Vintage screwdrivers. Dime a dozen, any number of styles and sizes to pick from. Handles are all very easy to remove, regardless of material.

These can be a little hit and miss as to hardness, if you test any that turn out to be softer than you'd like it's dead easy to reharden and retemper while the shafts are sans handle (not that you actually need to remove even plastic handles to do this successfully).

 

[Deadeye]

I am not sure what you mean by "wings" on the blade. If the style you want are in this Ebay item --- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Screw-Driver- ... 3052662397 -- then I have a similar set. If you think they would be suitable you can have them. 2 flat and 2 cross point approx 120mm long and never been used ( I never had the handle!).

Hi

Yes, that's the style I'm after. They seem to be (yet another) US only thing. It's a very kind offer - whereabouts are you?