Where can I buy this tool?

[EricWilliamMarshall]

I know this tool as a pump drill, but I don’t know the actual name. I not looking for a similar sized drill with a spring inside but one with the movable ‘bobbin’ in the middle, this size or smaller. I trust some soul on this great site may a have a clue or two to help. Thanks!

[bruce d]

Here in the UK that would be known as a 'Yankee' drill. There are also Yankee screwdrivers along the same lines.

HTH

Bruce

[Roger Pellett]

I call that an Archimedes screw drill.  I bought mine many years ago (1980’s) from a jewelry tool supplier that came to an NRG Conference.  I suspect that you might find one on EBay under jewelers or watchmakers tools.

 

Also check suppliers of new tools for jewelers. Rio Grand comes to mind.  

 

Roger

[Roger Pellett]

Garrett Wade tools $11.50

[Bob Cleek]

It's properly called an Archimedean drill, also known as a fretwork drill, is an old type of drill which works on the Archimedian principle; the drill rotates quickly as the barrel on the stem is worked up and down. This tool provides a quick and easy way to bore holes through fretwood. They are still made and available in various sizes on the new and used specialty tool market, some with springs and others without.

 

 

Garrett Wade has a couple in their catalog:

 

 

Archimedes Screw Drills | Small Hand Drills | Garrett Wade

 

Garrett Wade also sells an "Essential" and an "Advanced" ship modeler's tool kit. The "Advanced Tool Kit" includes the Archimedean drill pictured above. All of the items in these ship modeling tool kits are available individually. Individual Specialist Tools For Ship Modelers (garrettwade.com)

 

The smaller of the two offered by Garrett Wade can also be found on Amazon: Rolson Archimedean Drill - - Amazon.com

 

A "modern" version is carried by many jewelry making supply houses:

Amazon.com : archimedean drill

 

Used models are offered on eBay and Etsy:

 

 

Vintage English 10 Archimedes Drill | Etsy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bob Cleek]

49 minutes ago, bruce d said:

Here in the UK that would be known as a 'Yankee' drill. There are also Yankee screwdrivers along the same lines.

HTH

Bruce

Here in the US, a "Yankee screwdriver" (which will also hold proprietary drill bits) is a specific line of push drills made by Stanley. At present, I believe there is only one model still being manufactured and sold new.

 

 

Yankee Push Drill with Extra Bits (garrettwade.com)

 

The older, and larger models, made in three sizes, apparently are no longer made by Stanley, looked like this one:

 

 

Somebody in Germany stepped into the breach and is now offering copies of the classic Stanley Yankee:

 

 

Yankee Screwdriver | Garrett Wade

 

The poster isn't looking for the spring-loaded Yankee type push drill, but rather the Archimedean drill which is operated with two hands, one sliding a piece up and down the shaft to turn the bit. The spring loaded Yankees operate one-handed, by simply pushing the handle against the workpiece. The Yankees are great for driving screws because they have the heft to put some force into the turning, but still permit the "feel" to "feedback" to the user, unlike powered drills with screwdriving bits, which have a tendency to break the screw when driven too forcefully. The Archimedean or fretwork drills are for much lighter and precise work than the Yankee types.

[Bob Cleek]

1 hour ago, Roger Pellett said:

I call that an Archimedes screw drill.  I bought mine many years ago (1980’s) from a jewelry tool supplier that came to an NRG Conference.  I suspect that you might find one on EBay under jewelers or watchmakers tools.

 

Also check suppliers of new tools for jewelers. Rio Grand comes to mind.  

 

Roger

Beat me to it while I was compiling my response after seeing nobody had responded.

 

There ought to be a red button with a buzzer we could hit when we know the answer, that would block the other contestants from answering and determine who had the right answer first,  like on the TV game shows.  

[EricWilliamMarshall]

Thank you all! I appreciate your time and insight. I shall shortly go and do slight damage to my wallet to celebrate!

[wefalck]

Be aware, however, that these Archimedes-drills are actually meant for use with so-called spade-drills. Spade-drills are not fluted, but cut in both directions on account of the reciprocating action. For this reason they are also not very suitable for drilling deep holes. They are still quite popular with watchmakers, as they do not 'catch' in soft brass, unlike standard fluted drills. Watchmakers used the make them themselves, but they are also available (as the drills) from watchmakers supply houses (which is where I got mine some 30+ years ago).

 

The sprung version pops up everywhere on ebay and I think some modellers supply houses also carry them.

 

The large wooden version may not be very useful, as their collet is actually machined for bits that are square at the mounting end - at least the one I was given as a kid in my first tool set around 1964 is like set. In fact, I rarely used it and knowing my father's cranked hand- and electric drill considered it already then an antiquity.

Edited November 8, 2021 by wefalck

[Roger Pellett]

While I don’t doubt that the Archimedes drills are not intended for use with standard twist drills for the reasons given by Wefalk, I have not had a problem using small wire sized twist drills in mine to drill hard woods like pear and box.  I have also used it to drill holes in brass.  In all cases, holes drilled have been thin materials where the drill bit does not bind.

 

Roger

 

 

[EricWilliamMarshall]

I haven’t seen those spade drill bits in years! My father used to have one. Very easy to be very accurate.I used it all the time.