9 ms·

Another really cool style of hand drill, which this article completely missed, is the Yankee Drill [0]. (More generically called a Push Drill.) A spade-like dri

by avhon1 9y ago

Another really cool style of hand drill, which this article completely missed, is the Yankee Drill [0]. (More generically called a Push Drill.) A spade-like drill bit cuts when turned either direction. The handle has a screw mechanism and spring so that you can push the handle down into the work to turn the bit one way, and lift the handle back up to turn it the other way. The up-down motion is easy to get a hold of and very fast to do. It's amazing for drilling pilot holes and for putting holes in walls that are right next to furniture or cabinets - the diameter of the entire tool is only 1.25 or 1.5 inches. The handle stores a variety of bits inside. [0] https://www.garrettwade.com/garrett-wade-yankee-push-drill-gp.html https://www.garrettwade.com/garrett-wade-yankee-push-drill-g...

KGIII 9y ago
I came to mention this. I have several styles in my shop but I never really use any of them. I have a larger one, an old Stanley model whose number I have forgotten, that has seen some use. The smaller ones are something I've just toyed with. I have them only as novelty items, really. I much prefer a drill press, where I can. I kinda want to also build a foot-powered lathe, though I'd never use that either. Anyhow, they made bigger versions than the Yankee. I can't justify using them, but they are neat to hold and are fascinating examples of ingenuity. It's dark and I am in bed, but if reminded I will get some pictures.
Franciscouzo 9y ago
That link is giving me a 403 Access forbidden error.
panzerklein 9y ago
Miniature version of this drill is called pin vise and is used widely by modelmakers and jewelers.
- chrisbennet 9y ago
  They look similar though so I can understand the confusion but they are different - one is drill and the other is just a holding tool. The end of the Yankee push drill rotates when you push or pull the handle. A pin vise just has a chuck, similar to a drill chuck, but no mechanism to rotate the held piece.
  - panzerklein 9y ago
    I personally have pin vise with twisted shaft and sliding collet like this one http://alexnld.com/product/mini-pin-vise-wood-spiral-semi-automatic-hand-drill-with-chuck-for-jewelry-tool-micro-twist-bit/ http://alexnld.com/product/mini-pin-vise-wood-spiral-semi-au....
cr0sh 9y ago
I have something like this that I managed to find at a Goodwill thrift store (of all places). It's basically the same kind of device, but looks like a screwdriver. The bits aren't twist drills (though you can chuck those in as well), but rather something like a shaft with a stepped channel down one edge. The whole tool was obviously made "back in the day" - completely metal. The bits store in the handle (screw-on cap - again, all metal). I love collecting and using older tools like this, if I think they'll be useful. I've got a couple of other oddities as well. One's a set of "interchangeable auger bits" - they look like flat twist drills, but wider - almost like a spade bit and an auger bit combined. Each is chucked in a special chuck, then that is chucked into your drill. Again, it was another small but useful set from Craftsman, and it works great (I've used it for both wood and HDPE cutting board material). The other weird tool - which I have yet to use - is kinda scary, and I don't know if I should even try: It's a circular saw blade meant to cut curves (!!!). It's triangular in shape, teeth on all the edges. Again, I have no idea if or how well it works. Maybe one day I'll get brave enough to try (I have used a metal cutoff blade in my circular saw - which was crazy to me, but it worked great). Both of these other weird tools I found at Goodwill as well (so maybe what I'm saying, is if you're looking for such tools, Goodwill is a good place to look).

by avhon1 9y ago

KGIII 9y ago

I came to mention this. I have several styles in my shop but I never really use any of them. I have a larger one, an old Stanley model whose number I have forgotten, that has seen some use. The smaller ones are something I've just toyed with. I have them only as novelty items, really. I much prefer a drill press, where I can. I kinda want to also build a foot-powered lathe, though I'd never use that either. Anyhow, they made bigger versions than the Yankee. I can't justify using them, but they are neat to hold and are fascinating examples of ingenuity. It's dark and I am in bed, but if reminded I will get some pictures.

Franciscouzo 9y ago

That link is giving me a 403 Access forbidden error.

panzerklein 9y ago

Miniature version of this drill is called pin vise and is used widely by modelmakers and jewelers.

chrisbennet 9y ago
They look similar though so I can understand the confusion but they are different - one is drill and the other is just a holding tool. The end of the Yankee push drill rotates when you push or pull the handle. A pin vise just has a chuck, similar to a drill chuck, but no mechanism to rotate the held piece.
- panzerklein 9y ago
  I personally have pin vise with twisted shaft and sliding collet like this one http://alexnld.com/product/mini-pin-vise-wood-spiral-semi-automatic-hand-drill-with-chuck-for-jewelry-tool-micro-twist-bit/ http://alexnld.com/product/mini-pin-vise-wood-spiral-semi-au....

cr0sh 9y ago

I have something like this that I managed to find at a Goodwill thrift store (of all places). It's basically the same kind of device, but looks like a screwdriver. The bits aren't twist drills (though you can chuck those in as well), but rather something like a shaft with a stepped channel down one edge. The whole tool was obviously made "back in the day" - completely metal. The bits store in the handle (screw-on cap - again, all metal). I love collecting and using older tools like this, if I think they'll be useful. I've got a couple of other oddities as well. One's a set of "interchangeable auger bits" - they look like flat twist drills, but wider - almost like a spade bit and an auger bit combined. Each is chucked in a special chuck, then that is chucked into your drill. Again, it was another small but useful set from Craftsman, and it works great (I've used it for both wood and HDPE cutting board material). The other weird tool - which I have yet to use - is kinda scary, and I don't know if I should even try: It's a circular saw blade meant to cut curves (!!!). It's triangular in shape, teeth on all the edges. Again, I have no idea if or how well it works. Maybe one day I'll get brave enough to try (I have used a metal cutoff blade in my circular saw - which was crazy to me, but it worked great). Both of these other weird tools I found at Goodwill as well (so maybe what I'm saying, is if you're looking for such tools, Goodwill is a good place to look).