As a mechanic, I’ve accumulated a drawer or two’s worth of tools that serve only ONE specific purpose in this world and nothing more. I’m very proud of my homemade tools because when I let people borrow or see them, you should hear the happiness. “Where did you get this!?” “I want one!” It’s a fun thing to do, making tools
It is fun making tools. When I was young in the 70s, my dad had a broken wood spade handle, whittled down with a knife, and made a "dibber." .a useful tool for making holes in soil to put plants in.
@@Mygg_JeagerI don’t think it’s lost. It’s just not promoted. It’s obscure. People do it inside their own homes, they’re not making it in mass for the public
Total stranger here saying, I'm proud of and respect you for deciding to pave your own path and find the skills / knowledge you didn't gain from a father. This is ultimately one of the critical traits of a man. Cheers
Father or no father it's about will, determination, & coming up with a plan in a pinch. My father had a father (& 15 other siblings) in WV coal mines (meaning his dad was gone b4 sun up & after sun down). He moved out at 15, worked ALOT, Vietnam came & went, learned yo read just enough to get by, but he dang sure could read a tape measure!! He did/does alot of handy ingenious things like this guy's improvised tool. (He's 80 now). Became a successful construction business owner. But I promise you, he taught himself. That's the one thing he taught me *to figure it out yourself. Waiting on dad, won't get the job done! That's good news for you, you didn't need him for those kinds of things. (The internet definitely helps these days too!
There's a show in the Uk called Only fools and horses, and in that show they use the same joke only using it about broom handles and heads rather than saw blades and handles
Isn't the problem getting them sharpened? I have a BiL who was a joiner making window frames, etc. I'm sure they bought the 'disposable' saws as it was cheaper & better to pay £5.99 and get new than to xxxx around with a file, or pay a guy the same to re-sharpen one, etc. Most the guys you see on sites use things with a plastic handle. It's the same philosophy, no? Have a good one 👍
@@TeddyBear-ii4yc I sharpen them with a file, maybe once every five years. But I’m an amateur so they’re not in heavy use. That might be the difference.
@@redlight3932 I don’t know. One has a metal seal on the he handle stamped “superior quality” with a star, surrounded by dots and a medieval knight-type cross in the middle, but I don’t thi ks that’s a brand name. The other one is either unbranded or the brand has worn away.
a good philosophy to go by in life😁 nothing is better then the right tool for the right job same goes for people Mark Twain "Never compare a duck to a fish by their ability to climb a tree or swim in water, as each excels in its own environment."
the other day I had a cup wheel stuck on a grinder, I didnt any 22mm wrench so I had to grind down a 20mm wrench(using another grinder), now I have a tool just for removing cup wheels from grinders.
A spanner screwdriver can also be purchased new with the section in the middle already cut away, in case you don't want to sacrifice any of your flat blade screwdrivers.
I think most people have a stash of unused sacrificial tools for stuff like this. I often take dusty tools to the grinder or bandsaw to whip up a tool I can't be bothered to purchase
@@zbnmthnot really, sometimes you buy a set, few years down the line you lose some, buy a set that meets your needs and you have older tools that don't see as much use. Some pawn shops have bins full of loose old tools.
Why not just use two screwdrivers taped or fastened together in some way you can separate them after, instead of damaging a perfectly good tool? Even the way you made the tool, it could still damage the screw head edges by only applying torque in that small area
Those are called spoke nipples. You can buy a dedicated nipple wrench quite cheaply. [EDIT] I just realised you're tightening them from outside the rim. That isn't recommended beyond finger tight, as the entire spoke could fly back out at you if it breaks under tension. Put the tyre back on and use a nipple wrench.
While replacing the drum brakes on a 1978, Yamaha DT 175 motorcycle, I had to unthread a recessed circular nut with 4 peaks and 4 valleys. After discovering that such a tool did not exist near me, I bought a cheap socket at Harbor freight that fit the recess, and used a grinder to shape the socket for a perfect fit. My proudest unprofessional mechanic moment.
My tenon saws are older than I am and still in perfectly good working order. Back when tools were made to stand the test of time unlike the throw away rubbish of today.
I love experienced tradesman because it’s never “do this” it’s “this has worked for me” or “I’ve done this in the past” shows the lessons learned without the unearned confidence amateurs always have
They include bits for this kind of screw in commonly available driver bit sets and they even include the driver. I got a set from Harbor Freight (cheap tool store) for under $20 & it includes a variety of sizes of star bits, alan key bits, bits for different locking bolts and screws, regular standard & philips sizes, etc. 1 kit in a sturdy little case freed me from needing a toolbox drawer filled with loose drivers and McGuyvered tools.
Just burr out a ½moon enogh to clear the centre pin which was an early form of security. Any screwdriver without that central piece missing wouldnt unscrew that split nut. His area missing, might actually damage the existing screw if it isnt perfectly inserted into the groove. Have the head of the screwdriver just fit the groove.
Except that the centre pin can differ in size. This gentleman has made a more universally useful tool. And as he's obviously had many years experience, he would know what he's talking about. Plus, one should always be deliberate when doing any work such as this, then there's no danger of messing the head up through shoddy work. I can imagine that if you're prone to rushing and cutting corners, you might need to be careful how much you remove from the head of the driver.
An early form of security? Were people really that concerned about unauthorized people coming around and unscrewing the screws on their saws? Somehow I don't think that was the case...
Indeed. Even many non-smith-level tools include a split driver, such as the Sig Sauer multitool. Not sure if they still make that one, but there's no reason to get another while it still works.
Thank you for sharing these handling tips with us. I've already done that with one of my old 19th century screw drivers. I love old hand tools and have a nice collection of them, restoring them one by one, and I love to use them on my smaller projects. I clean and maintain them with dedication and joy, and I keep them like treasures for their beauty.
They have a bit in a security bit set that resembles that tip very well. Can pick a set up at any hardware store or auto parts store anywhere for about 10-15 bucks. I've been using the same set as a master electrician for over 20 years. Don't need the set often, but when me or someone else on the job does need it, nothing else will work.
I've done the same thing for working on pneumatic tool valves and assemblies because some manufacturers want to sell $80 screwdrivers.
Good on you
Just 3d print your screw heads in pla+
@@AckzaTV I don't think that I could put enough torque through a plastic to get the assembly broken free.
Snap On screwdrivers 😂 Some people are dumb enough to buy them
A lot of people think paying a fortune for stuff means they have better stuff than the people who didn't need to spend a fortune on stuff.
As a mechanic, I’ve accumulated a drawer or two’s worth of tools that serve only ONE specific purpose in this world and nothing more. I’m very proud of my homemade tools because when I let people borrow or see them, you should hear the happiness. “Where did you get this!?” “I want one!” It’s a fun thing to do, making tools
It is fun making tools. When I was young in the 70s, my dad had a broken wood spade handle, whittled down with a knife, and made a "dibber." .a useful tool for making holes in soil to put plants in.
Love homemade tools. Was almost never the one to come up with the ideas but it was one of my favorite things about mechanics
I've made some rather large wrenches for things like the axle shaft nuts on disc cultivators.
Truly a lost art.
@@Mygg_JeagerI don’t think it’s lost. It’s just not promoted. It’s obscure. People do it inside their own homes, they’re not making it in mass for the public
Thank you, Paul! Young-ish fatherless dad here, delighted to learn! God bless
I’m exactly the same, didn’t know I was looking for this comment:)
@@Mephistopheles9 awesome thank you!
Total stranger here saying, I'm proud of and respect you for deciding to pave your own path and find the skills / knowledge you didn't gain from a father. This is ultimately one of the critical traits of a man. Cheers
Father or no father it's about will, determination, & coming up with a plan in a pinch. My father had a father (& 15 other siblings) in WV coal mines (meaning his dad was gone b4 sun up & after sun down). He moved out at 15, worked ALOT, Vietnam came & went, learned yo read just enough to get by, but he dang sure could read a tape measure!!
He did/does alot of handy ingenious things like this guy's improvised tool. (He's 80 now). Became a successful construction business owner.
But I promise you, he taught himself.
That's the one thing he taught me *to figure it out yourself.
Waiting on dad, won't get the job done!
That's good news for you, you didn't need him for those kinds of things.
(The internet definitely helps these days too!
I have two Dads. They’re gay.
I’ve made a coupe of these over the years. Absolutely invaluable
Yes, because vintage saws are a vital part of day to day life 😂
@@null_value89 not just for using on vintage saws you sarcastic moose knuckle
@@null_value89no smartass he just likes to use his saw and it takes maintenance.
@@null_value89sometimes older is better, especially with certain hand tools.
@@null_value89they could be, depending on what job you have
Great tip. The old tools are pure gold
"i've had this saw 20 years. replaced 17 saw blades and 14 handles."
Saw of Theseus
@@angelcalderon7892
Beat me too it.
Only fools and horse's joke that one
@@johnpaulcawley4079 True.
P.S.: What is the meaning of that sentence?
There's a show in the Uk called Only fools and horses, and in that show they use the same joke only using it about broom handles and heads rather than saw blades and handles
Fantastic solution indeed 👌 👍
I have a few old saws. They are incredibly durable.
Isn't the problem getting them sharpened? I have a BiL who was a joiner making window frames, etc. I'm sure they bought the 'disposable' saws as it was cheaper & better to pay £5.99 and get new than to xxxx around with a file, or pay a guy the same to re-sharpen one, etc.
Most the guys you see on sites use things with a plastic handle. It's the same philosophy, no?
Have a good one 👍
@@TeddyBear-ii4yc I sharpen them with a file, maybe once every five years. But I’m an amateur so they’re not in heavy use. That might be the difference.
what brand
@@redlight3932 I don’t know. One has a metal seal on the he handle stamped “superior quality” with a star, surrounded by dots and a medieval knight-type cross in the middle, but I don’t thi ks that’s a brand name. The other one is either unbranded or the brand has worn away.
As always, its mostly about the application of the correct tool. If it isn't available - make one 😊
a good philosophy to go by in life😁
nothing is better then the right tool for the right job
same goes for people
Mark Twain "Never compare a duck to a fish by their ability to climb a tree or swim in water, as each excels in its own environment."
This doesnt work because ducks are excellent swimmers but neither can climb a tree.
@@NorroTakureally weak analogy 🤦
@@incitatus953lmao
the other day I had a cup wheel stuck on a grinder, I didnt any 22mm wrench so I had to grind down a 20mm wrench(using another grinder), now I have a tool just for removing cup wheels from grinders.
You didn't have an adjustable wrench? Channel locks? Vice grips? I'm just curious lol
Sure, but next time you need a 20㎜ wrench for something you'll have to screw up your 18㎜ wrench with an angle grinder
@@garymericano naw, just build up 2.5 mm of weld, then regrind to 20mm with your (now working) grinder.
@@garymericanoWhat's with your mm? 🧐
How did 20mm turn into 22mm after grinding?
Oooh. I've always loved woodwork as a hobby. This is a fantastic, and long lasting tool to add to my toolbox. Thank you ❤
A spanner screwdriver can also be purchased new with the section in the middle already cut away, in case you don't want to sacrifice any of your flat blade screwdrivers.
The 2.99 multipack of Harbor freight screwdrivers is perfect for stuff like this. Awls, punches, etc too
Scurtează șuruburile cu 2 mm…Folosești o șurubelniță “normală”…!
I think most people have a stash of unused sacrificial tools for stuff like this. I often take dusty tools to the grinder or bandsaw to whip up a tool I can't be bothered to purchase
@@7eis I think you're in a rare bubble when "most people have spare tools for this"...
@@zbnmthnot really, sometimes you buy a set, few years down the line you lose some, buy a set that meets your needs and you have older tools that don't see as much use. Some pawn shops have bins full of loose old tools.
Making a tool because the proper kit is too hard to come by, or too expensive is THE definitive old school mechanic/tradesman way.
Oftentimes there are simple life hacks like these that can save you good bucks
They’re like $4
i want to preserve this saw for life, and this guy as well, help us preserve our parents and our teachers
Good i Respect the professional who respect the Tools
Why not just use two screwdrivers taped or fastened together in some way you can separate them after, instead of damaging a perfectly good tool? Even the way you made the tool, it could still damage the screw head edges by only applying torque in that small area
Screwdrivers are common and cheap. When the head wears out it's perfectly acceptable to make application-specific modifications to them like this.
A phenomenal traditional craftsman
I love how straight to the point this short is
I did similar with an old screwdriver to open up security screws whose heads had just two small holes in it.
Elevator tamper resistant screws
@@BatsofPrey It was for the screws for the bell at the house, but I guess you could see them at elevators as well.
In the old days, we call this “proprietary design”.
Split nuts weren't used to force people to buy a new tool, if they could get away without using them, they would.
I did the same thing, and I still have it.
Work smarter, not harder.
I did the same to create a custom screw bit for bicycle spokes (the little nuts that go through the rim)
I had to do something similar
Sounds be-spoke
For anti theft?
For adding tension to the spokes. If someone wants to steal spokes they'll take the whole wheel
Those are called spoke nipples. You can buy a dedicated nipple wrench quite cheaply. [EDIT] I just realised you're tightening them from outside the rim. That isn't recommended beyond finger tight, as the entire spoke could fly back out at you if it breaks under tension. Put the tyre back on and use a nipple wrench.
this type of wisdom is how we end up with garages full of "i'll totally need that thing in 15.398 years."
Making your own tools and them working has to be better than fixing something that’s broken, you just made something good even better
This is what UA-cam was made for. Thank you.
While replacing the drum brakes on a 1978, Yamaha DT 175 motorcycle, I had to unthread a recessed circular nut with 4 peaks and 4 valleys. After discovering that such a tool did not exist near me, I bought a cheap socket at Harbor freight that fit the recess, and used a grinder to shape the socket for a perfect fit. My proudest unprofessional mechanic moment.
I made the same tool, but I use it on drum brakes. Love seeing old tools still in action keep up the good work!
I’ve done that years ago. Still works fine 😊
I don't know how I ended up at this video about vintage saws, but thanks for the tip, it will now live in my head rent free forever😅
This is what has been preventing me from investing into old vintage saws, thanks for the tip!
Lolz
Ive got a 1897 Mauser with the same style screws in the sides of the stock. .
I just got a new ideal from this man. Thank you for it my Friend
We use much smaller versions for security screws, but this is a very good use of my countless flat heads. Thank you Mr. Sellers!
Did the same a few year back while fiddling with an old typewriter with splits, worked like a dream.
Simple, but brilliant
Whoop whoop. I made some myself.
Thanks for showing the new generation ❤❤
Thank You For This Idea It's Very Smart.
I just love tools, old and new, powered and manual. There's so much fun to be had with tools. You can make anything
This reminds me of being a kid, waking up at 5:00 AM, and watching random woodworking shows on PBS. Fun times...
Thank you.
Great Idea Paul..!!
Thank's for Posting..
✌️😇 Fröm Önt, 🇨🇦
I have made hollow ground screwdrivers with a slot machined in the end for a similar purpose.
Slot machined....? 🎰
@@Amira_Phoenix gambling will ruin ya lifetime
Sometimes referred to as spanner-head. Also, great respect that you use hollow-ground tips.
I like that handgrib!!! NICE old saw
Very Clever!
Thank You!
Thank you for sharing. Shop made tools are awesome. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy 😊 and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
Old craftsman knowledge at work 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I bought a set of 20 of those bits in different sizes for like $6 at a hardware store years ago. Beats filing down a perfectly good flathead.
Beautiful saw.
Every tool I have, I have for life.
Thank you
Thank You 👌
I did this to disassemble/reassemble antique knives
Great tip! I have never seen this type of split nuts and the tip you gave on how to creat a tool to to tighten the split nuts was great.
Also great for spanner screws!
I never had a tool with splitnuts but did experience it when rode my friend's seatless bike and wrecked it!
Thats a Beautiful Old Saw. My Grandfather was a carpenter in the 1920-30&40's, and I have most of his old tools and saws.
When you have one specific tool for years that you only once in a while.
Great solution!
Great Idea! 👍👀👍
My tenon saws are older than I am and still in perfectly good working order. Back when tools were made to stand the test of time unlike the throw away rubbish of today.
I love experienced tradesman because it’s never “do this” it’s “this has worked for me” or “I’ve done this in the past” shows the lessons learned without the unearned confidence amateurs always have
Thanks mate. I did that to access small electric appliance screws such as are found in toasters.
Thanks to UA-cam I got to know an great woodworker/jointer Paul Sellers for over ten years now.
They include bits for this kind of screw in commonly available driver bit sets and they even include the driver. I got a set from Harbor Freight (cheap tool store) for under $20 & it includes a variety of sizes of star bits, alan key bits, bits for different locking bolts and screws, regular standard & philips sizes, etc. 1 kit in a sturdy little case freed me from needing a toolbox drawer filled with loose drivers and McGuyvered tools.
Just bough a old vintage saw, this idea is sweet. Wanted to clean it up abit.
What a good idea! Don't need to get a new one after all. Thank you ❤
Nice! Great tip. Thank you!
You're so handy! Thank you so much Sir.!
Thats a beautiful saw
My dad had two different sizes of those screwdrivers. I never knew what they were for. Now I know! Thank you!
This is the best channel on UA-cam
I use a tack puller works the same way
Just burr out a ½moon enogh to clear the centre pin which was an early form of security. Any screwdriver without that central piece missing wouldnt unscrew that split nut. His area missing, might actually damage the existing screw if it isnt perfectly inserted into the groove. Have the head of the screwdriver just fit the groove.
Except that the centre pin can differ in size. This gentleman has made a more universally useful tool. And as he's obviously had many years experience, he would know what he's talking about. Plus, one should always be deliberate when doing any work such as this, then there's no danger of messing the head up through shoddy work. I can imagine that if you're prone to rushing and cutting corners, you might need to be careful how much you remove from the head of the driver.
Not a tool for numnuts off course…
I don't think we watched the same video. the tool fit almost perfectly over the centre pin
An early form of security? Were people really that concerned about unauthorized people coming around and unscrewing the screws on their saws? Somehow I don't think that was the case...
Thank you! I do not know why this was recommended to me, but I like it.
As rhe old saying goes "they dont make em like they used to" and its so true a new saw wouldn't last half as long
That's a very cool saw I'm glad to see it still working makes me happy what year is that from?
You just blew my mind. I have exactly a need for this type of tool.
I have a 2 man saw that was used by my great grandfather in Indiana in the 1880s ...it still cuts faster than my chain saw
I did the same more than 40 years ago. Nowadays it's not necessary to sacrifice a screwdriver because you can purchase all sorts of bits easily.
Very clever, Sir!!!❤
I did exactly this so I could disassemble my hi capa magazines. Had an old screw driver downstairs I never used, now it serves a dedicated use.
Great idea/invention!
Gunsmiths still use various screwdrivers like that.
Indeed. Even many non-smith-level tools include a split driver, such as the Sig Sauer multitool. Not sure if they still make that one, but there's no reason to get another while it still works.
Thank you for sharing these handling tips with us.
I've already done that with one of my old 19th century screw drivers.
I love old hand tools and have a nice collection of them, restoring them one by one, and I love to use them on my smaller projects.
I clean and maintain them with dedication and joy, and I keep them like treasures for their beauty.
I have this really old flathead screwdriver with a really wide blade and a notch in the middle. Now I onow what it's actually for, awesome, thanks 👍
You seem very kind
That tool is already available in most carpenter tools. More common than you think if you just look.
If you have one, you can also use security screw heads instead of grinding down a flathead screwdriver
That’s really smart 😊 Thank you 🙏
I have a split nut screwdriver did not know what it was did not know split nuts were a thing thank you very much
Ive done the same but to use on the nut that holds the handle on some fixed blade or sheath knives.
I've been on a soft content binge, between Joe Pera, Bob Ross, and "This Old House," and Paul seems like the perfect addition
Works for handbells too
I have the same tool but its for releasing air bag modules out of steering wheels
I never knew how I was suppose to tighten those. Fascinating.
"Bob Fleming 'ere"...he even sounds like Charlie Higson.
I have a mini screwdriver that's notched and use it to push out retaining c clips in lockwork. Doesn't slip off and cut up my hands
Thank you, that’s a wonderful tip!
You can get spanner bits for pretty cheap online
They have a bit in a security bit set that resembles that tip very well. Can pick a set up at any hardware store or auto parts store anywhere for about 10-15 bucks. I've been using the same set as a master electrician for over 20 years. Don't need the set often, but when me or someone else on the job does need it, nothing else will work.