Customer Reviews

Stanley 68-130 Yankee Quick Return Spiral Ratchet Screwdriver

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

IMPORTANT: You can buy 1/4" hex adapters for the old Stanleys from Garret Wade (FYI - there are hex drill bits in that size and they work in these things apparently) and a much cheaper one from Lee Valley that has no locking mechanism other than magnetism. If your old Stanley is collecting dust, get one of these adapters and you'll have access to damn near every screwdriver size imaginable and plenty of drill bits too.

I was wondering for years what the heck these things were called and then remembered that we now have the internet for such questions. I have a Stanley wooden-handled 130a that's probably from the '60s or earlier.I expect it's roughtly the same size as this one but the image makes it looks smaller for some reason.

Please understand my dead earnestness when I say it is the coolest thing I have ever owned. And yes it works. It works a little too well. But you do have to oil it occasionally.

I'll probably buy Schroder's modern version when I have the funds. They're a German precision part-making company and hand tool maker with a reputation for excellent hand tools.

Did you ever try to drive a slotted screw and it just kept flopping over on it's side? This tool was invented in a time when slotted screws were all you could get. When you carefully center the bit on the screw, and align the tool properly, the tool and the screw are axis and linear correlated and pressure against the tool forces the screw to turn. In other words, keep it straight(you don't even have to turn the handle)and push, the force of your push makes the bit rotate. Very nice for small hinge screws and slotted screw removal.

,,, BUT,,, replacement bits are next to IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND !!!!!! They last a pretty long time but not forever. Check out the more modern version by LARA, it uses hex bits. Click on my name, there's a review on the new one in my profile, and you can link to it from there.

I owned this type of screw drivers for five(5) years until it was lost or stolen. It's a great tool for tool box.