Thread: Oh how times have changed.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Look at how much labour went into the construction, the pride and skills involved. Very few younger than boomers would recognize many of the hand tools.
I can't see the cotton wool brigade letting kids in particular, but the public in general, on the tracks and up close to an idling steam loco, or allowing kids to climb on it.

Yes, when was the last time you saw a Yankee Screwdriver used in anger? Not a lot of power tools in those days. And CorTen steel was all the go. Now its all the go for a rusty appearance that doesn't corrode.

I remember as a primary school aged kid being fascinated by the mechanics of my father's Yankee Screwdriver. I now own that screwdriver.

Yes my father had one as well. Always a challenge for a young upstart to keep the screwdriver blade in the screw slot.

I have one, too. Haven't used it in years.

Edit: I just checked. It still has the Spiralux sticky label on it.

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My Dad had one as well,I don’t have it,I bet one of my brothers does.

Originally Posted by scarry

My Dad had one as well,I don’t have it,I bet one of my brothers does.

I still have one as well but wasn't aware of it being called that.

It belonged to my Late elder Bro who did a Carpenter's Apprenticeship with Hansen & Yunken who conveniently had their Joinery shop near home, back then. a now a vacant block of land when last seen
I didn't see it much so cannot recall it's name & it is about 25cm in length.

Last look it was fitted with a run of the mill slotted screw head.

The only thing I have of his, because later that advice was common place ,he packed it in much to my Father's disappointment ( the olde "Gotta get a Trade behind you son" just coming out of the Great Depression & got a good job with SOLVER Paints & died about 3 years ago.

Another bruv was a Book binder, another a mechanic at J N Taylors Adelaide fixing Out board Motors & later CIG/Liquid air, & another a GMH Spares Specialist( now deceased).


Me? Was very fortunate Walking past a South Road Refrigeration Manufacturer "2X Refrigeration Apprentices wanted"who had a sign up. so wandered in & asked. .
I mean how hard can it be just Opening service valves on a Customer's new Refrigerator?

This was how easy it was to get a job back then.

Boss, "Sorry son, we have just placed both positions",


Must have noticed the disappointment in my voice.
Boss" Tell you what, we will take you on as well". He must have recognised a good thing when he saw it or was desperate to have a young Workshop Floor sweeper each day. I never did find out who the 3rd person was.

And so they did. Oddly, in 1956 in National Service Army I was allocated the same bed space in the Barracks Room as the other apprentice who was in the 2nd Intake at Woodside Camp & I was in the 3rd. I really loved Nasho .

He has since kicked the bucket a couple of years ago.

Originally Posted by 4bee

I still have one as well but wasn't aware of it being called that.

I didn't know they were called that, either. I looked up Yankee Screwdriver and found I had one. I must have bought it in the mid-70s. The cap unscrews and spare/different bits are kept in there. I think there's a drill bit, too. I'll go and check. Mine is a Spiralux Model 7233.

Yes, two drill bits plus one other bit that has no apparent purpose. A photo on the net shows it should have Phillips bit. The odd bit in mine looks like it hasn't been fluted to become a Phillips bit.

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Hi,
I knew them as Archimedes' screw drivers. Some were about 2'6" long and a skilled journeyman could sink a 3" screw with one or two plunges.
Cheers