Introduction: Restoring an Antique Screwdriver

By
About: Canadian Craftsman

Today I will show you how I restored this antique C.D. Smith Co. Perfect 'Winged' Handle screwdriver (marketplace find). You might be wondering why would anyone want to restore a simple tool like this? For me, it all started with watching 'My mechanics' youtube channel. This fella does perfect restorations on handtools that are extremely satisfying to watch. I figured I would give it a try. 'My mechanics' goes for perfect restorations whereas my approach is to preserve some of the patina while making it entirely functional.

Check out the video attached and follow along with the directions below.

Supplies

Tools:

  • vice
  • punch
  • ball peen hammer
  • hack saw
  • file
  • belt sander
  • sand blaster with bead blast media
  • drill press
  • countersink bit
  • drill bit
  • sand paper
  • mitre saw
  • table saw
  • rust remover
  • paper towel
  • bench grinder with convolute wheel
  • wire drill bit
  • cordless drill
  • torch

Material:

  • wood for new handle
  • boiled linseed oil
  • brass pin

Step 1: Disassembly

Not much for disassembly. Only 5 parts in total.

  • File off old rivets.
  • Punch out the rivets.

Step 2: Restore Steel Body

  • Soak screwdriver in rust remover for 24 hrs.
  • Remove any remaining rust with wire drill bit.
  • Remove some of the pitting with a convolute wheel, being careful not to take off too much material.
  • Straighten out screwdriver tip with round steel tube. Pry on tip until it is straight.
  • File the blade of the screw driver to flatten it.
  • Harden blade by torching until it just reaches a cherry red(~800 degrees Celsius). Immediately dip into oil for quenching. After a thorough cleaning place into an oven @ 160 degrees Celsius for 1 hr to temper. The blade is now hardened.
  • Bead blast body for a nice matte finish.

Step 3: Make New Wooden Handle

Select a piece of wood. I decided to use this piece of figured wood that I had sitting in my garage for years. No clue of the species. If anyone knows, please leave a comment. I believe the most common type of wood for this application would be hickory or beechwood.

  • Cut wood with a mitre saw.
  • Cut to proper depth using a table saw.
  • Trace handle shape using the old scales.
  • Shape the profile with a belt sander. Take time to ensure proper fitment.
  • Before final shaping, the holes need to be drilled. Drill holes into one side of the handle utilizing the existing holes on the steel body as a guide. Once first set of holes are drilled, install the other wood piece. Now drill out the remaining holes utilizing the holes previously drilled as a guide.
  • Apply a chamfered edge to the holes with a countersink bit (allows for the peened pins to hold the wood scales into place).

Step 4: Assembly

  • Peen the one end of the brass pin.
  • Cut brass pins to length.
  • Grease inside surface of screwdriver to prevent corrosion.
  • Install the wood onto the body and insert brass pin.
  • Begin peening the other side of the brass pin. Alternate peening both sides until snug.
  • File brass pin to match the profile of the wood. Sand smooth.
  • Coat entire screwdriver with boiled linseed oil and wipe clean.

Project complete!

Thanks for following along. Check out my youtube for more interesting projects and don't forget to subscribe.