My grandmother passed away before I was born, and she used to go to thrift stores and yard sales and buy all kinds of old tools, many of which have been passed down to me. My favorite screwdriver in the world is a Vaco DUH4 Reversible that was in that pile - I always thought it was so convenient to have both bits in one tool, and they always seemed to be the size I needed. Mine is definitely a darker green color, maybe due to age, maybe they just came that way. I don't have the sizes printed on the blade anymore, and the white text on the side is faded to the point that it is almost illegible, there is no paint left and the plastic or resin or whatever it's made of is wearing away. These things are stout. Maybe mine is just blessed. It's gotten away from me a few times but it always seems to find it's way back. This thing has taken a few whacks of 220VAC across the blade, it's been used as a chisel, and everything in between for nearly a decade just in my possession - That's to say nothing of what my dad did with it for the 20 years he had it, or what my grandfather did with it when my grandmother brought it home, or what the previous owner did with it before it wound up at a yard sale, probably already beat up and probably already for cheap. If you find one of these for reasonable money, I highly recommend it.
When you cover tools from these more obscure companies from this era, it reminds me of the large variety youd see in little hardware stores around the country, like vaco, excellite, Vermont American, bonney, etc... all American made. The decline in the US tool industry is emblematic of the decline on American industry as a whole. Sad. Thanks again for a good vidoe of American tool history.
Imports were always around, free trade agreement opened it up, creating jobs...( look at all the HF employees). But I guess we joined the rest of the world. However, nobody twisted our arm to buy cheap tools.
For mobile technicians these multifunction tools from Vaco and Xcelite were the go-to tools, but I never thought they were high quality, just kind of pricey specialty tools. A trip to Sears and a hardware store for a look to see if there was something else better before buying. What happened to Diamond?
I always wondered if mine had changed colors a bit over time, and it looks like maybe it has. Mine is a much darker more aqua blue green color than this.
Mr Maximus, When I saw the title of '"Reversible" screwdriver I assumed it was a screwdriver that could tighten or loosen screws. 😉
He didn't say what kind of batteries it used.
My grandmother passed away before I was born, and she used to go to thrift stores and yard sales and buy all kinds of old tools, many of which have been passed down to me. My favorite screwdriver in the world is a Vaco DUH4 Reversible that was in that pile - I always thought it was so convenient to have both bits in one tool, and they always seemed to be the size I needed. Mine is definitely a darker green color, maybe due to age, maybe they just came that way. I don't have the sizes printed on the blade anymore, and the white text on the side is faded to the point that it is almost illegible, there is no paint left and the plastic or resin or whatever it's made of is wearing away.
These things are stout. Maybe mine is just blessed. It's gotten away from me a few times but it always seems to find it's way back. This thing has taken a few whacks of 220VAC across the blade, it's been used as a chisel, and everything in between for nearly a decade just in my possession - That's to say nothing of what my dad did with it for the 20 years he had it, or what my grandfather did with it when my grandmother brought it home, or what the previous owner did with it before it wound up at a yard sale, probably already beat up and probably already for cheap.
If you find one of these for reasonable money, I highly recommend it.
When you cover tools from these more obscure companies from this era, it reminds me of the large variety youd see in little hardware stores around the country, like vaco, excellite, Vermont American, bonney, etc... all American made. The decline in the US tool industry is emblematic of the decline on American industry as a whole. Sad.
Thanks again for a good vidoe of American tool history.
Imports were always around, free trade agreement opened it up, creating jobs...( look at all the HF employees). But I guess we joined the rest of the world. However, nobody twisted our arm to buy cheap tools.
Hello again,Catus Maximus and Tiny
Thank you for another Great Video 👍
Nice and simple it's probably all you really need
Thank you Catus 😊
Wow
My first screwdriver when I just started in the field still have it just use it around the house
I like my Lennox 9 in one. Holds up. The insert pops out once in awhile, ain't no biggie
Yes I like old tools more simple in design sometimes more useful than new tools of today
I have the same VACO screwdriver plus the red handled stubby version. Bought them new back in the day.
I still have this one... I leave it in the junk drawer for the wife
I'd pick one up just to have a tool called a DUH.
For mobile technicians these multifunction tools from Vaco and Xcelite were the go-to tools, but I never thought they were high quality, just kind of pricey specialty tools. A trip to Sears and a hardware store for a look to see if there was something else better before buying. What happened to Diamond?
✌️
I always wondered if mine had changed colors a bit over time, and it looks like maybe it has.
Mine is a much darker more aqua blue green color than this.
I have that exact screwdriver and I like it a lot.