What does "SIF" mean? 1944 Hand Drill

[Rhyolith]

I have this rather well made hand drill from 1944 (almost certainly war related). I wondered if anyone knows what "SIF" is?
SIF 1944 Hand Drill by Rhyolith, on Flickr
SIF 1944 Hand Drill by Rhyolith, on Flickr
Also I read some vague reference that suggested a link to the Clipper drills, mainly that these were how they started out. Can anyone shine a little more light on that?

 

[Wildman]

they appear to be the manufacturer quite a few of these turning up for sale in auctions of late claiming to be rare makes me wonder if they are copies.

 

[ED65]

Gosh that's in lovely condition. How does she run?

 

[profchris]

Might it stand for the Steel Improvement and Forge Co, founded 1916 Cleveland Ohio? Now Sifco, info from Wikipedia?

Maybe not, the company history suggests more specialist lines, but possible I suppose http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company- ... c-history/

 

[Rhyolith]

they appear to be the manufacturer quite a few of these turning up for sale in auctions of late claiming to be rare makes me wonder if they are copies.

Doubt it... too much effort to fake for £5 when a hand drill advertised as new would fetch double that. Frankly if these were being made now they are probably the best modern hand drills in the world :mrgreen:

Gosh that's in lovely condition. How does she run?

Yes it is, I have 2 of these and this one is in virtually new condition mechanically! Its one of the best hand drills I own in terms of smoothness (in my opinion the most important thing in a hand drill). Used it just yesterday for some clearance and pilot holes, easy peasy

Might it stand for the Steel Improvement and Forge Co, founded 1916 Cleveland Ohio? Now Sifco, info from Wikipedia?

Maybe not, the company history suggests more specialist lines, but possible I suppose http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company- ... c-history/

It could be.. hard to know for sure. Maybe they manufactured the main crank wheel, as that is very well made (so could have come from the same company that made turbo charger components!). Be a shame in someways though, as I only have 1 other hand drill made in the UK that competes with the quality of the American ones (one of the older Made in England Stanley No.803s, which also is the only decent Stanley drill I know of), evidently this might means this is also American (hence the quality)... though it does have that arrow on it, that I thought was a British Government Wartime thing?

For some reason British seem to suck at making hand drills....

 

[ED65]

...smoothness (in my opinion the most important thing in a hand drill).

Totally agree. My Stanley 803 sometimes ran rough but I had a lightbulb moment towards the end of restoring it only last week and the simple hack I came up with makes it run reliably smooth so I'm well chuffed.

 

[bugbear]

...smoothness (in my opinion the most important thing in a hand drill).

Totally agree. My Stanley 803 sometimes ran rough but I had a lightbulb moment towards the end of restoring it only last week and the simple hack I came up with makes it run reliably smooth so I'm well chuffed.

Care to share?

BugBear

 

[Vann]

...smoothness (in my opinion the most important thing in a hand drill).

Totally agree. My Stanley 803 sometimes ran rough but I had a lightbulb moment towards the end of restoring it only last week and the simple hack I came up with makes it run reliably smooth so I'm well chuffed.

Care to share?

BugBear

+1

Cheers, Vann.

 

[ED65]

Planned subject of a future post BB and Vann. Just got to get pics lined up. Don't expect too much though, it's just a couple of washers!

I've never used or even handled another 803 in good order so I don't know if the play in my one is from wear or that's just the way the tool is, but I think this would be worth every owner doing if they have a similar issue.

EDIT: posted now, stanley-hand-drill-restoration-and-improvement-t94531.html

 

[profchris]

This clothes iron is claimed to have Sheffield Iron Foundry embossed on it, though the pictures only show the word "Sheffield".

https://www.etsy.com/listing/226225896/ ... ield-black

 

[profchris]

Ooh, found a stronger candidate in my local town of Stowmarket, Suffolk Iron Foundry. They made Suffolk Punch mowers and eventually became Atco, then Qualcast, but this web page shows them making "sundry items in cast iron" in 1937. And they used the trade mark SIF for their SIFBronze welding rods.

Unfortunately the factory closed a few years ago, so I can't pop down to ask about archives. Bosch now owns the Qualcast trade mark, so I think the company is no more.

Most Google links are to lawn mowers, but the company also produced castings for coffee grinders and, apparently, cats-eye goggles, tennis court stuff in cast iron, so drills or at least the wheels might fit here. The company was an MoD aircraft parts contractor during WW2, which fits the military marking.

 

[bugbear]

I think Chris is right; The Logo is "SIF" in a diamond;

Per Graces Guide;

http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Suffolk_Ir ... %281920%29

And on this SIF drill handle (just visible, click to enlarge)

BugBear

 

[Rhyolith]

I have found a revealing eBay listing, it is the Suffolk Iron Foundry! Might Explain why there are so many of these round Norfolk
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-Pinion ... 2256253196
PS: I want that Drill!

 

[Fatherclive]

Might it stand for the Steel Improvement and Forge Co, founded 1916 Cleveland Ohio? Now Sifco, info from Wikipedia?

Maybe not, the company history suggests more specialist lines, but possible I suppose http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company- ... c-history/

It stands for the Suffolk Iron Foundry (est1920) in Stowmarket

 

[Thingybob]

Don't it make you feel old I remember when if you wanted to drill a remote hole around the house these were the tool of choice not a battery drill , hairy up a step ladder using both hands on drill

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I have this rather well made hand drill from 1944 (almost certainly war related). I wondered if anyone knows what "SIF" is?
SIF 1944 Hand Drill by Rhyolith, on Flickr
SIF 1944 Hand Drill by Rhyolith, on Flickr
Also I read some vague reference that suggested a link to the Clipper drills, mainly that these were how they started out. Can anyone shine a little more light on that?

As stated SIF.
Suffolk Iron Foundery.
War Department issue.

But cast in 1944.

Look for a Goverment Broard Arrow on it. Near there will be a string of numbers.

If the arrow and numbers are pressent it was issued to the War Dept and they issued it out.
The top handle would point to aRAF (Crab) issue.

If the arrow and numbers are not there. It was made to a contract and never issued. 1000's were made and sold off after the end of the war.

It lloks like a Grey Handle was added at some point in it's life, that may indicate Naval service. Or it was assembled from parts.

Are the small gears an Alloy?
If so it may of been issed to germany after the war to help rebuild the nation.

They are good drills, but the frame casting can be brittle.

I know I have broken one or two in the past. But the braze up nicley.

Here's one I made earlier.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Don't it make you feel old I remember when if you wanted to drill a remote hole around the house these were the tool of choice not a battery drill , hairy up a step ladder using both hands on drill

I still use this.

This as well.

This is sweet to use.