Just another handle

[Walter]

This is a replacement for the handle on an 18" long (10" blade) W Marples screwdriver.The original, bought on Ebay for £2.00, had been subjected to terminal abuse with hammers over its life and the handle was beyond repair. The tip was badly sharpened and needed regrinding but with a new handle and a little TLC the tool is as good as new.

The wood is a random piece of mahogany coloured hardwood from my store that happened to be the right size. I think it is meranti but its provenance is unknown so I cannot be certain. Finished with several coats of gunstock oil, my preferred finish for tool handles.


IMG_1964 by walter.hall, on Flickr


IMG_1963 by walter.hall, on Flickr

 

[Bigblackdog]

hollow ground I trust, Walter?

 

[Woody]

Nice one Walter

 

[Grump]

I like that muchly init?
I do love old tools and it's great to see them restored with pride.
Lid tipped Walter.

 

[Walter]

Thanks chaps.

hollow ground I trust, Walter?

Nope, didn't have a grinding wheel big enough. Done on a belt sander/linisher.

I do love old tools

Me too. I inherited a couple of old cabinet screwdrivers and I have been buying the odd one on Ebay to build up a full set. They all needed a bit of restoration but only this one needed the handle replaced. This one completes the set. I also have a modern Marples 3" cabinet screwdriver (not shown) and nice though it is the quality does not match the old tools.


IMG_1965 by walter.hall, on Flickr

 

[Twister]

nicely done walter

did you shape the hole for tang or are they straight
I have a few that need doing...another job

just not pulled a handle off one yet

Steve

 

[yorkshireman]

A lovely bit of restoration Walter

 

[Walter]

The tang is tapered Steve, so I drilled a slightly undersize tapered hole using three different sized drill bits. You also need to cut a slot across the bottom of the handle (inside the ferrule) for the top of the flat part of the shaft to fit into. Like this:


IMG_1966 by walter.hall, on Flickr

 

[Barry]

Nicely done and the battery don't run down

 

[Doug]

Great work there Walter, a lovely looking set

Thought the only time I use a straight bladed screwdrivers these days is on bench planes & for opening tins

 

[Twister]

thanks Walter

I still use brass and steel slot screws so needs must

Steve

 

[Terry]

Very good restoration Walter !!

 

[Grump]

I also have a modern Marples 3" cabinet screwdriver (not shown) and nice though it is the quality does not match the old tools.

Jewno wot? I went all round our poxy town during the week to try get a bit of 1" steel bar so I could make an insert for the Emco, M14 x2 female 3/4 x 16 male threads or anything that would be suitable solid bar wise.
No success whatsoever, asked all over to the reply it's all imported from China and is crap. Even the so called steel stockist in town only does sheet and no thicker than 3mm.
What has this place become? Open a proper hardware shop someone please.

I only need a couple of inches so cant order it from Parker steel who I believe still roll their own.
Took a 30 mile round trip to my old factory and saw the guys in the steelworks next door, help myself from the skip, should have done that in first instance would have been quicker and cheaper.
No such thing as quality in the DIY stores, B&Q warehouse is Micky mouse these days.

 

[Jimjam66]

I do love old tools

It's no surprise you hang around this forum then!

 

[Vic Perrin]

A grand job Walter. Proper Screwdrivers !

 

[chas_41_uk]

Nicely restored Walter

 

[bassethound]

Very nice job on that Walter..

 

[AllenN]

Very nice Walter, I have a couple of these myself but never managed to get the set. Like the gunstock oil finish.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Nice job Walter.

 

[Twister]

is it tru-oil walter ?

Steve