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#1 ·
Restore and more.

Old English screwdrivers
Restore and more…

A few of my fellow LJ's noticed that I was fooling around with some old screwdrivers.
This blog is the restore of those and some more screwdriver related stuff.


I spend a total sum of seven British Pounds app. 10 US to buy two lots of old screwdrivers, fourteen as I remember.
(Quite fair I think, considering that just one new from one of the leading toolmakers today is 25 US… and I then have to wait for the patina - smiles).


The first lot was ´done when I started taking photos because a fellow LJ noticed and asked.
But this bunch and some more was on its way.
As you can see they were screaming out: 'I'M DRY, OIL ME PLEASE'...


The once on the right are smiling at me now but they looked about the same as the others when they arrived.
There are no right and wrong here, I love patina and so I will do a lot to keep this, but also I like my tools to be useful, beautiful and functional, but most of all 'healthy'.
That means not two tools will need exactly the same level of restore and this you will see as the blog goes on.


This fellow was really tired but in a good state, so a sanding to get rid of the dirt and the old layers of lacquer.
I mounted it in a drill and then spin low speed, this makes it easy and even to sand.
Not too much we want to keep the patina and also the ornamentation.


The metal gets a touch up with a brush, again I'm lazy and use a powered one.
And again not too much since I want the years to show.


Here you see the level I go to compared to one that still needs love.


Linseed oil, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH that was needed, so leave it overnight.


If the screwdriver is not all straight it can usually be bend back in shape.


These handles are all done with the sanding, and you will notice not the same, they all got the minimum that removed dirt and wear but kept the patina.


The ferules are touched up with a fine file.


The end made straight when needed.


This is where we start to look again at design and function, some screwdrivers just need a touch up with sandpaper or a file.


To get a straight head with the desired thickness.


This can also be done on a stone.


A hand grinder.


Disc sander or whatever…
Just don't over heat it so the hardening gets destroyed.


In the next step I will try to shape the heads so they become uniform.
For this I will use my wet grinder and a jig to make sure I get them to be the same on both sides.


Like this!
(Yes I am lazy…).


But look what a wonderful result, I am really pleased.


Before and after.


New problem, a broken ferule.


Some tobacco and then of we go.


A new one is fitted.


I think Mathisson would be happy for me!


Ok I use epoxy so he might be a bit grumpy…


The end needs a little filler and that is another minute spend.


But look what a wonderful result, tracks of life, patina and now some fresh love from MaFe.


A little oil for the metal to prevent rust.


This one is worse.
I think we need to give up and make a new handle.
First the basic shape.


Then more precise to fit ferule.


Ok a tiny bit too small but I'm happy.


A bank with a hammer on a chisel, and be careful not to hit the tang, then you destroy the chisel, I always cut down a bit of the center to be sure.


Look what a beautiful old ferule, that is really quality.


Here compared to one of the new once I bought…


Measure.


Transfer.


Final sanding.


Linseed oil.


Polish compound.


That's almost too fine…


I think we can agree it is better than before…


I almost forgot to add this one, here you can see the types.

I will split the blog here and continue in part two just to be kind to those with a slow internet connection.

It is my hope this blog can inspire others to restore some old beautiful screwdrivers.

Best thoughts,
Mads
 
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#5 ·
at first i thought they were spade bits turned upside down and made into a driver…..not a bad idea though,,,,im whipped, i better not comment here tonight, ive taken my drugs abd we wll know wha thappens when ya do that…....10-4 roger and out…
 
#7 ·
Good idea Phillip, I have a short one for plane irons, will take a picture. But I will see if I can spare one and convert it into one for the saw split screw.

Grizz, hope you are fine, yes I know about medicine and also I learned that writing and drugs is not at the same moment…

CJIII, thank you my dear CJ.

Andy123, I smile from ear to ear, and never stop to be amazed that it is a pleasure to follow a grumpy Danish guy playing wit tools, even I do the same with others, yes life is just exacty as we see it, and it looks good from here also. Smiles.

Thomas, I'm a big child as you know, did you notice the fine Peugeot grinder.

Thankj you for the comments.
Best thoughts,
Mads
 
#8 ·
Nice blog mafe. I also enjoy reading about the different topics that you post.
They are all very educational.
I am surprised at the difference in quality between the two ferules. I have never seen one with so much metal.
I assume that it is a Marples and Sons, from the catalogue insert that was posted.
What type of tool are you using to split the handle?
 
#11 ·
That is wonderful Philip, I love this place, a bunch of wonderful guys that are all happy to share their passion for good quality.
Yes the handles are not just beautiful but also really nice to use, a good firm grip.

Dennis, thank you, see you in part two.

Chuck, I'm a little embarrassed to admit I used a really fine old Japanese chisel here… But no harm was done, and I promise that I will not do it again.
The london pattern drivers all have a wonderful thick ferule, but yes we are not used to this… Another reason to go vintage.

Thank you all for your comments.
The best of my thoughts,
Mads
 
#12 ·
Hi Mads,

Every stick of wood that falls in your hand is well fashioned, treated and perhaps loved. Great work, great details.

According to this picture of your grinder, I wonder how many hours this stone has run, how many turns is has made and/or how many tips it has kissed! :) I wish I could live as long and be as productive as this one! But I wouldn't like to be in your hands though… because I couldn't be able to rest.

Wood Tool Gas Motor vehicle Auto part


Best,

Serge

http://atelierdubricoleur.wordpress.com
 

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#13 ·
Laugh Serge, it is acually the second stone in two and a half years…
Sooooo many tools has been brought back to life these last years in my little shop.
Best thoughts,
Mads
 
#14 ·
Nice restoration! I teach old tool restoration at a local adult school just because I like restoring and using old hand tools. Anyway, a friend gave me an old screwdriver that looks exactly like an old wooden handled Marples, but the imprint on it reads: GASTSTELL WARRANTED. Any ideas?
 
#16 ·
restore and more.

Old English screwdrivers
Restore and more…

This is part two of the blog.


So last time we finished with a new handle, this is another one I made and that we will get back to.


Next part is to make the sides flat if wanted, I want to stick to the original layout so I will…


I do this freehand on the table saw.
(Perhaps not the safety manual way to do it, but I feel safe).


Ohh yes, I have not been completely offline lately, I made this pile while the late was spinning…
(More blogs might follow as the tools get life).


To hit the center I made a cup for the back end, and then use a drill on the lathe.
(This can be done many ways).


The two parts.


Ohh and I also choose to destroy this plastic devil.


And look what came up on E-bayby for 8 British Pounds, they used to belong to a watchmaker and they have the most wonderful clicks… (I know I need help).


Look at the scale of these!


So back to the story.
A bunch of sanded and cleaned but really dry handles.


As you can see the old wear has grown into the wood, and since the contrast here against the bright wood makes it look sick I choose to play with dye.


Fist a warm with a little red tone.


Then a darker dusty.


This is where we can get creative, but also where we can go over the top so stay gentle.


Then I dip them all in ?
Yes you guessed it right linseed oil.
And put them in a bag over night because they could not all be in the pot.


Next day polish on a cloth wheel.


Then a shine.


And this is where the screwdriver from yesterday that looked sick is now.
Not bad I think…
The one over still need the polish.


I finish the handles of with a coat of wonderful wax.


And look at this before you pass on to the next picture!


This is why I broke the plastic handle…
I had made a nice warm little wooden mushroom for it.


And with a little epoxy and a bang this is what became of it.


Here an old nail lifter that got a new handle at the same time.
(Do not ask me how that came here in my screwdriver blog).


One of the watchmakers was really tired in the wood and I could see that it used to be red, so a little China red and a few layers of lacquer and it was full of life again.
The red lady.


Here is what happened to that second handle.
I had an old extender for bits, this one was glued in a handle that would match my old English.


And the one we followed get a new handle.


I think that is worth the few bucks I paid.
And I shaped the heads different so I now have a head for every screw I will find.


And the screwdriver family gathered.
Also some once from my old post http://lumberjocks.com/projects/45189 .


I mount a handful of the most used in a holder over my head on the workbench, in this way they are just where I need them.


And this is where the blog ends.
In the background some recycle wood and on the piece of paper the project I work on these days, but all this is for another blog another day…

UPDATE:



Here are the little wonderful screwdriver I use for my planes.


And here what it's used for.

It is my hope this blog can inspire others to restore some old beautiful screwdrivers.

Best thoughts,
Mads
 
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