| Project by Dilo Marcio Fernandino | posted 01-14-2012 11:35 PM | 2434 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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1302 posts in 1444 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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131 posts in 1153 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 2228 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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573 posts in 1198 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 2228 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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11729 posts in 2508 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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113063 posts in 2397 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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6369 posts in 1621 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!)
-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes at: http://www.stumpynubs.com
Don W
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15925 posts in 1388 days
#9 posted 01-15-2012 04:42 PM
superb!!
-- Master hand plane hoarder. - http://timetestedtools.com
Eric in Central Florida.
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3687 posts in 2396 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.
-- Retirement suits me fine !
bch
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243 posts in 1509 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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2315 posts in 1746 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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