| Project by Dilo Marcio Fernandino | posted 01-14-2012 11:35 PM | 3084 views | 3 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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Dear Lumberjocks,
I still am in the toolmaking craze.
In 1970 I bought my first brand new car, a Volkswagen beetle that came with a small set of hand tools, including a screwdriver. The car was eventually sold but I kept the hand tools because of their high quality. That 42 year-old screwdriver had been made for mechanical purposes (not for woodworking) and has a strong and wide tip, thoroughly forged and tempered. I have been using it mainly for the maintenance of hand planes, especially on that large screw that tightens the cap iron to the blade. Everyone knows that this operation requires much torsion power but it has to be performed carefully in order to avoid destroying the screw slot.
Eventually the original plastic handle cracked and became useless, what was a great loss. So it happened an opportunity for carving another special tool handle. Considering that I need much torque from that handle, I got inspired by the traditional English screwdriver because of its circular handle. This shape increases dramatically the torque because of the leverage of its circular radius and it is more elegant than a mere cylindrical handle with equivalent radius. Also it fits the hand palm very comfortably.
The screwdriver blade was cleaned from its plastic remains and polished with a manual session of sand paper. The following operations are shown on the photos.
Dimensions of the handle: 4 ½” long, 1 ½ wide, 1 ¼ thick.
Visit my website: www.carving-in-wood.com
My email: dilofernandino@gmail.com
Best Regards,
Dilo
-- Dilo
13 comments so far
jumbojack
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1672 posts in 2343 days
#1 posted 01-15-2012 01:11 AM
I have couple of vintage wooden handled screwdrivers that could use this nice touch. What kind of wood is that? It is very nice. I hope you don’t mind me kyping your design.
-- Made in America, with American made tools....Shopsmith
oldreddog
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163 posts in 2052 days
#2 posted 01-15-2012 01:17 AM
I love this post. I have a whole election of cool old screw drivers from all over town people gave me.
This is a true inspiration to do more with them.
nice job.
-- oldreddog
Dilo Marcio Fernandino
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71 posts in 3127 days
#3 posted 01-15-2012 01:28 AM
Hi jumbojack,
I utilized a precious Rio Rosewood leftover. It is a honor for me to have my design copied by you or whoever wants it.
Regards
-- Dilo
hhhopks
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650 posts in 2096 days
#4 posted 01-15-2012 01:58 AM
Looks great!
How do secure the shaft so that it would twist on you when using it?
-- I'll be a woodworker when I grow up. HHHOPKS
Dilo Marcio Fernandino
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71 posts in 3127 days
#5 posted 01-15-2012 03:08 AM
Hi hhhopks,
At the extremity of the shaft I used the file to create two little flat surfaces on opposite sides. In addition, I made several little scratches by using the file and a hacksaw. In the sequence I glued the shaft inside the hole by using epoxi glue. It is secure forever.
Bye.
Dilo
-- Dilo
Dusty56
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11812 posts in 3407 days
#6 posted 01-15-2012 03:37 AM
The first Masterpiece of 2012 from you : )
Happy New Year , my friend !!
-- I'm absolutely positive that I couldn't be more uncertain!
a1Jim
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115927 posts in 3296 days
#7 posted 01-15-2012 04:33 AM
Dilo
What ever you make, It’s first class all the way.Very nice screw driver.
-- http://artisticwoodstudio.com Custom furniture
StumpyNubs
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7319 posts in 2520 days
#8 posted 01-15-2012 04:14 PM
That’s almost too nice to use!
-Jim; aka “Stumpy Nubs”
(The greatest woodworking show mankind has ever known is now online!)
-- Subscribe to "Stumpy Nubs Woodworking Journal"- One of the crafts' most unique publications: http://www.stumpynubs.com/
Don W
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18411 posts in 2287 days
#9 posted 01-15-2012 04:42 PM
superb!!
-- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.
Woodwrecker
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4054 posts in 3295 days
#10 posted 01-15-2012 05:20 PM
Dilo,
Your work inspires!
You make everything so beautifully, and you use a functional design as well.
An old tool is indeed lucky to have a master like you work on it.
-- Eric, central Florida / Utor praemia operibus duris
bch
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295 posts in 2408 days
#11 posted 01-16-2012 03:03 AM
That is one gorgeous screwdriver. I’ll bet it feels great in the hand. Well done!
-- --bch
jusfine
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2422 posts in 2645 days
#12 posted 01-16-2012 08:47 PM
Great job, it will last another 42 years!
-- Randy "You are judged as much by the questions you ask as the answers you give..."
404 - Not Found
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#13 posted 01-16-2012 09:44 PM
That’s great. Reminds me of my Grandfathers tools. Must be a joy to use.
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