As usual, before I write about a tool on ToolboxBlog.com, I do a bit of online research to see what other’s are saying. Thanks to Ron’s Woodshop, I learned a little about the number system with this old Yankee driver. If Ron is correct, the number 1 in the model No. 133 indicates this driver has a spring. So, it is a model 33 with a spring, making it No. 133H.
I do recommend checking out Ron’s page on Yankee drivers solely for the video at the end where, neglecting to pre-drill, he struggles to drive screws into a board with two Yankee drivers. I watched the video because it says for the “bloody-minded” but I never did see him rip any skin. Oh well, I don’t really like horror movies anyway and I’ve ripped more skin in a year than the average human does in a decade. 

Description:
My Yankee Handyman No. 133H is a fine example of a working push drill. This one has the description printed on the shaft: Yankee Handyman No. 133H, North Bros Mfg Co, Div of Stanley Tools, Phila. Pa. U.S.A.

Experience:
I’ve added a few Yankee drivers from my workshop to ToolboxBlog.com already; The North Bros. 130A, and two Miller’s Falls push drills; 185A and this one. I should retract my dated statement that I don’t use these in my shop because since 2009, I’ve experimented with restoring a few pieces of antique furniture using only tools that predate my birth (antiques), including my useful Millers Falls Antique Push Drill.

Comments:
This Yankee Handyman shows a bit of age, but still operates smoothly despite the bent bit that’s in it at the time the photos were taken. It belonged to my father and I’ve since inherited it and added it to my rack of old tools. I hope you enjoyed the photos and brief description. Thanks for visiting.

My second Millers Falls Push Drill on Toolboxblog.com features a wooden handle with a complete set of bits stored beneath it’s removable wooden cap. (See the other one) I’m not precisely sure where I got this Millers Falls Co. Push Drill but it’s been in my ‘abandoned tools’ box for years.

Features:

• Wooden Handle with Screw Cap
• Bit Storage within Handle

Experience:

As I’ve mentioned, I’m far too young to know about using these tools on the job. I do occasionally drill a few holes with a Millers Falls Co. Push Drill. Mostly used for entertainment purposes. It’s easy and fun to use.

This Millers Falls Push Drill is in decent working condition. The handle is marked with a previous owners initials. I think it’s one of the first Millers Falls push drills but we’ll have to see. This one is marked Millers Falls but with no model number or patent ID that I can find.

If you know more about this tool please leave a comment.

Links:

Yankee style push drills on OldToolsnStuff.com – informative page!

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I lucked out when I was given a small box of tools and found this Millers Falls Push Drill with all the bits inside. Joining my small collection of push drills this particular tool is in excellent condition and I use it from time to time.

Features:

• rotating cap type drill point storage
• screw chuck
• YANKEE style drill points

Experience:

Well, this is one of the few tools I can say I’m too young to know much about. I’ll bet there are plenty of old-timers who know how to efficiently handle this Yankee style push drill. Of the three push drills like this that I own, this is the one I use.

It’s kind of interesting, I have a drill press, cordless drills, corded drills and other bit spinning motors and still I keep this Millers Falls Push Drill within reach of my workbench. I guess the reason is… I think it’s cool.

The bits are stashed within the tool and the sizes are marked around the handle. Changing bits with the screw-type chuck seems easy enough to me even though the spring-type chuck is considered a design improvement.

I didn’t rate this tool like I do for others on this site simply because I don’t feel qualified to say this is anything other than a five star tool for quality, ease of use, convenient labeled bit storage, stroke length (efficiency). I’m not old enough to know any better.

Links:

Yankee Style Push Drills on OldToolsNStuff.com – informative page.

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