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1 of 1- Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
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- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,621
2 New Tools In My Tool Box...
Today in the mail, I received two (2) new tools for typewriter work. (See photo, below.)
Tool on the left is a newly-made segment-pick.
Tool on the right is a "holding screwdriver" for small slotted screws in the 2-52 and 4-40 and 6-32 size range.
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- Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
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- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
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Re: 2 New Tools In My Tool Box...
Segment Pick...
Paul Lundy of the Bremerton Typewriter Company shop had a batch of newly -made segment picks crafted from a vintage pick Paul had. Think he use da local metal-fab shop for the work.
Paul sells these on his web site.
I donated a nice Princess-Matic to Paul's shop, as I had two of them and this one needed a new draw-band installed and main wound up. Problems with my hands prevented me from doing this repair myself.
Paul was kind enough to send me the new segment-pick as a thank-you.
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Thread Starter- Pete E.
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- From: Idaho - USA
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Re: 2 New Tools In My Tool Box...
Minature holding screw-driver for slotted screws.
This is a vintage screw-driver I finally found on eBay. I had one years ago when I was working as an electrician. It is the pocket-model with a pocket-clip attached.
They were (and are) made by the Quick-Wedge Company. They have a web site and sell new versions of these holding screw-drivers...but no longer offer the pocket-clip model. My model is the No. 1253E. The "E" is protected and used for electrical work. A part of the shaft is covered with plastic to prevent shorting-out some electrical that might be "hot". A model No. 1253 would work just fine on typewriters.
I used it today working on my 2nd. Diana Administrator manual typewriter and it worked so well on small screws of the 5-52, 4-40, and 6-32 size. I did not drop a screw all day.
You use this holding-driver to get a small screws started without dropping a screw on the floor or carpet...never to be found again. You just engage 2-3 threads and then use a regular slotted screw-driver to torque it in place.
I have been looking for this vintage screw-driver for over 4-5 years now.
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Thread Starter- thetypewriterman
- Key Master
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- From: Leiston, England
- Registered: 29-5-2013
- Posts: 951
Re: 2 New Tools In My Tool Box...
When I was an apprentice, I made my own segment pick by grinding down a typebar from a scrap machine and glue-ing the end into a wooden type-brush handle with epoxy resin. I still use it. Since the vast majority of screws in a typewriter are made from steel, simply magnetise your long screwdrivers. It can work better than a split driver, especially if the screw slot is worn.
- Pete E.
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- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
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Re: 2 New Tools In My Tool Box...
Hi Tom,
I did try magnetizing my screw-drivers but I got mixed-results with that. The screw would stay on but would wobble side-ways on the tip while I was trying to engage its threads into the tapped hole.
Maybe I was not using a strong enough magnetizing tool. Mine fits on a key-ring...so is pretty small. Made by Klein Tools...as are most of my screw-drivers.
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My new holding screw-driver worked really well...even on the small 2-52 sized screws I ran into on the Diana machines.
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Thread Starter- thetypewriterman
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- From: Leiston, England
- Registered: 29-5-2013
- Posts: 951
Re: 2 New Tools In My Tool Box...
Hello Pete,
I magnetise my screwdrivers with the powerful magnets from old loudspeakers or some small low-voltage DC motors. They are really effective. A couple of strokes of the screwdriver tip, and screws almost jump onto it !
- Pete E.
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- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
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Re: 2 New Tools In My Tool Box...
Here is another method that I have used for 3-4 years.
1. Cut a piece of masking tape about 1" long.
2. Push the screw-threads through the masking tape from the "sticky" side of the tape.
3. Insert tip of screw-driver into the slot of the screw.
4. Fold the masking tape over the screw-head while it is engaged onto the screw-driver tip. Masking tape will stick to the shaft of the screw-driver and will secure the screw firmly onto the tip of the screw-driver.
5. Install screw onto the typewriter, engaging only 1-2 threads.
6. Remove screw-driver and masking tape.
7. Use the screw-driver to torque the screw completely down onto the typewriter.
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Thread Starter- robmck
- Speed Champion
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- From: Seattle, WA
- Registered: 31-1-2022
- Posts: 395
Re: 2 New Tools In My Tool Box...
I'd never heard of the Qwick-Wedge. That is an interesting design.
Several years back, I bought a typewriter repairman's tool case and it had an HJJ holding screwdriver in it. It took me a few seconds to figure out what it was. Marvelous tool. I've since collected nearly all the sizes on ebay, plus a few that had been re-ground to work with Phillips. These and hollow-ground screwdrivers are my most prized tools for working on typewriters and small machines.
- Eagle
- Novice Typer
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- From: Frankfurt am Main - Germany
- Registered: 16-4-2024
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Re: 2 New Tools In My Tool Box...
Pete E. wrote:
Here is another method that I have used for 3-4 years.
Interesting and nice to know if need be - thanks!
- thetypewriterman
- Key Master
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- From: Leiston, England
- Registered: 29-5-2013
- Posts: 951
Re: 2 New Tools In My Tool Box...
You can also glue a non-ferrous screw to the end of a screwdriver with heavy grease.
