Yankee Spiral Adaptor

[Jarviser]

I was reading one of ALF's recent Blogs about difficulty in getting Yankee screwdriver bits, This is especially so for the smaller 130 size, which has a 7mm diameter bit (advertised at "1/4 inch" for some reason). I know Stanley used to sell an adaptor for the 131 but even they are tough to get hold of.
I made this adaptor from a few inches of 7mm Silver Steel. This is tough but fileable. I think Tilgear sell it.
The 1/4 inch square on the business end is the trickiest as it should be slightly tapered to get a snug fit. The two notches on the other end are simple. The 1/4 square to 1/4 hex screwdriver socket was from a Halfords set (Shown).

I believe the 131 has an 8mm dia bit, but you would need to check.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I've had a lot of trouble with Stanley Yankee bits not always fitting their spiral ratchet screwdrivers. Some years ago a friend gave me a Stanley adaptor to take standard 1/4 inch hex bits, but I think it gripped the bits with a ball bearing and you needed a pair of pliers to get the bits out :x .

However, CK make magnetic adaptors to fit all three Stanley Yankee spiral ratchet screwdriver sizes. They are really good - I don't need to bother with the Stanley bits any more. I got mine from Buck & Ryan in Guildford.

Paul

 

[Jarviser]

However, CK make magnetic adaptors to fit all three Stanley Yankee spiral ratchet screwdriver sizes.
Paul

Doh! :x

 

[jasonB]

I've also got one of the CK adaptors, holds the bits in by magnet. Altough I still carry my Yankee in my toolbox it rarely gets any use but handy when all your batteries are flat/charging

Jason

 

[Paul Chapman]

Jarviser,

Sorry about that, but your's looks really nice and at least you can say "But mine's hand-made" :wink:

Paul

 

[Alf]

Ah, the mythical CK adaptors really exist, eh? Never yet seen one, although I always keep an eye out. For those of us who similarly can't find this (apparently not) mythical beast, Tom Price's solution is a neat one for the medium size Yankee (and will fit my MF too ) Especially if you use one of those long reach bit holders and cut out the hex wrench step. I think I may actually have some 7mm siver steel already in my possession, so I might give that one a try, thanks, Jarviser.

Cheers, Alf

P.S. The much-despised Toolbank will provide silver steel in a wide range of diameters to your local stockist - if you can convince your local stockist it really is true and that they can order it... :roll:

 

[Matt1245]

if you can convince your local stockist it really is true and that they can order it

OI, i am, and i know :lol:

Matt.

 

[Alf]

Yeah, but Matt you don't work in that wonderous emporium known as Mallets of Truro. They took a lot of convincing. :roll:

 

[Jarviser]

Jarviser,

Sorry about that, but your's looks really nice and at least you can say "But mine's hand-made" :wink:

Speaking as a man who used a dry iron to heat a gluepot, and light bulbs to heat my tool cupboard, making an adaptor from junk bits already in my toolbox would be the only way for me anyway!

 

[Matt1245]

Mallets of Truro. They took a lot of convincing.

No wonder with a name like that :wink: :lol:

Matt.

 

[Scrit]

Both SAM and Facom (mechanic's/engineers hand tools) have listed these items in their catalogues in the past, as did Belzer (now Sandvik).

Scrit

 

[bugbear]

Does anyone know an on-line (or mail order) source for the adapters (CK, or other)?

While I'm here, i the Lee Valley adapter available in the UK?

BugBear

 

[bugbear]

I think I may actually have some 7mm siver steel already in my possession

Quote likely, I'd have said:

http://www.geocities.com/plybench/record.html#043

BugBear

 

[Alf]

Does anyone know an on-line (or mail order) source for the adapters (CK, or other)?

Certainly not the CK, and I've been looking - hard.

While I'm here, i the Lee Valley adapter available in the UK?

Damned if I can find it on the site... But I believe the rule of thumb is: Veritas = it can be sold by outside stockists. Lee Valley = LV stores only.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Paul Chapman]

BugBear,

I bought mine at Buck & Ryan, Guildford. Have a look at the Buck & Ryan website http://www.buckandryan.co.uk/

They say they have a mail order service (and an on-line one soon).

Hope this helps

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

BugBear,

As a follow-up, I just spoke to Buck & Ryan at Guildford. The chap there said that CK no longer do them. Buck & Ryan are quite annoyed about this :evil: as they receive regular requests for them - a bloke went there yesterday wanting 5.

He has the CK rep coming in tomorrow so I told him to tell the rep that there are lots of woodworkers trying to find a source for these adaptors.

The only adaptor he knows of that is currently available is from Trend and they only do the one for the largest Yankee.

If anyone wants to buy mine from me, the price has just gone up :wink:

Paul

 

[Jarviser]

Ah goody - I was right after all! 8)

I did notice in the Motorists Centre that Draper do a short set of bits with a 1/4 inch socket that can be used to make my adaptor.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Jarviser,

I reckon you could set up quite a profitable side line - he who laughs last, eh :wink:

Paul

 

[Alf]

The only adaptor he knows of that is currently available is from Trend and they only do the one for the largest Yankee.

I had a look at one and it seemed to me it'd be terribly difficult to control all that extra weight with the Yankee fully extended. Plus Trend, ergo pricy. :roll:

Now 'scuse me while I go and set up an alarm round my proper Yankee bits... 8-[

Cheers, Alf

 

[bugbear]

Damned if I can find it on the site

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... ,180,42337

(item D)

BugBear