Offset Screwdriver

[Andyhowesgpw]

Like to know your thoughts on this ...unmarked . within spec for a GMTK ? or just a place holder ...
My apologies to Len still not got my act together on the photos....

[d42jeep]

You might want to take a look at the information in this link.
viewtopic.php?f=48&t=255089&p=1768448#p1768448
The offset screwdriver spec is 8-1/2” long with no plus or minus allowance. Regardless, I would put the one you have in your set because my 8-1/2” Mayhew drivers were very hard to find and I haven’t seen many more since.
-Don

[Hartofoak]

Scarce find Andy! My offset example is very similar. It's not marked "Mayhew" as in my photo annotation. This is a hangover for my 6" Mayhew example before I modified my GMTK image and I didn't amend the wording.
download/file.php?id=116161

[Wingnutt]

Hi Andy,

The 41-S-1400 offset screwdriver is one of the most challenging tools in the GMTK (MVM/GM TS), and it's probably one of the best examples of a
'pick-your-poison' tool, because I have yet to see a perfect spec-correct matching specimen.

While Don is technically correct in saying that there is no tolerance provided for variances in the overall length in the tolerance chart of the
1939 GGG-121-S Fed Specs, note that the overall length in the actual spec chart in that reference is stated as a "maximum" length of 8-1/2". Shorter is absolutely acceptable. Longer is not.

How long are the blades on yours? That is also a spec (1") cited as a "maximum" value. Shorter is fine, longer is not.

Turning to the shank - is that an octagon (specified) or a hexagon? This is the one spec I see a lot of collectors choose to ignore. Most of the
offsets I see people deem correct are round or hexagon shanks.

Staying with the shank, let's talk diameter. While there is a very small tolerance for smaller (minus 1/32") or larger (plus 1/16") than the
specified diameter (3/8"), that basically allows for a production variance, an 11/32" or a 7/16" shank. (Note that a perusal through vintage catalogs shows that most offset screwdrivers came in 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" and 1/2" shanks.)

Having said all that - the diameter spec is the spec I choose to ignore. Why? Because I am 100% convinced that the offset screwdriver shown in RAPD figure 61759 is a Snap-on 060. It looks exactly like a Snap-on 060 in construction features. And, if you compare it to the tools around it, it appears to be shorter than 8-1/2" and thicker than 3/8" diameter. Snap-on 060 offset screwdrivers have the blades on the same side of the shank (just like the figure), the blades are hand forged onto the ends of the shank (just like the figure), and the screwdriver is a 7-1/2" long x 1/2" diameter octagon. I am not one to match figures as a rule, because figures can be deceiving. In this case, given the paucity of any known spec-correct specimens, I think it's helpful. Link to RAPD image here to see for yourself. Note that I believe this despite the fact that the Snap-on 060 is cited as a spec for a different offset screwdriver - 41-S-1397-50 - in the late war ORD 5.

All of this is next to impossible to articulate in the Whizz, unfortunately. My apologies for that.

[Andyhowesgpw]

Thanks for all your replies this is the spec
The length is 8 -3/8"
The Diameter is 3/8"
Blade width is 3/8"
Blade length internal 1"
Hexagon ......

Found this on the auction site mixed in with various offset screwdrivers .....love the look of the Snap On 060 ......

[Andyhowesgpw]

Scarce find Andy! My offset example is very similar. It's not marked "Mayhew" as in my photo annotation. This is a hangover for my 6" Mayhew example before I modified my GMTK image and I didn't amend the wording.
download/file.php?id=116161

We will have to compare side by side mine looks a little different forging ......

[Wingnutt]

Hexagon ......

This is the only feature that isn't to spec, Andy, which calls for octagon, but note that you'd be in good company, as I said above. I believe all the Mayhew examples that people have in their kits are also hexagon, for example. I could be wrong about that. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[d42jeep]

Andy,
Although this has been posted before by Hartofoak, I suggest that you compare your driver to the one in this image. Looks pretty close to me.
-Don

[Wingnutt]

I wish we had a better copy of that AM article. It's been helpful for more than a few issues over the years. Unfortunately, the resolution of the offset screwdriver isn't good enough to ascertain whether or not it's made from an octagonal or hexagonal steel shank. I keep searching for a wartime version of the fed specs, too, without any luck.

[Silly's MB]

viewtopic.php?f=48&t=284471

Andy, I have 3 like yours with no markings and 2 came from a guy selling off some US tools so I have no doubt that yours is good.
(I do have an Octagonal Mayhew as well)

[Wingnutt]

I remember that thread, Rog. I still don't see a clear view of the offset screwdriver, though. Am I missing it somewhere?

(I do have an Octagonal Mayhew as well)

Good to know, Rog.

[Silly's MB]

You wanted a better resolution of the article and that is as good as it gets . It gets too pixely to count any sides.

[Wingnutt]

Ah, gotcha. Sorry for being unclear. I wasn't referring to Don's reposting. I have the pic originally posted on my computer from when it was first posted here years ago. I have enhanced it and gone through it many times at various zooms. Agreed, you can't ascertain the number of sides.

[Len Jones]

Andy a nice place holder - Well done as the offset screwdriver is a very difficult piece to find in the correct size, and without modified blades.
Here are three for comparison which are sort of close, and Greg you might remember one of them

Blue Point 060 - 1/2'' octagonal stock - 7 1/2'' long X 3/4'' blade length X 3/4'' blade width.

A207128 - 3/8'' octagonal stock - 8'' long X 3/4'' & 1/2'' blade lengths X 3/8'' blade width.

Mayhew Made in U.S.A. - 3/8'' octagonal stock - 8 1/2'' long X 1/2'' blade length X 3/8'' blade width.


I have added these four incorrect offsets for comparison, however they might be correct for some other tool set ? Thoughts anyone please
I believe the lower three which are only marked ' Made in U.S.A. ' are by Snap On.

Plvmb 36 3/8 - 3/8'' octagonal stock X 6'' long X 1/2'' blade length X 3/8'' blade width.

Made in U.S.A. - 3/8'' hexagonal stock X 6'' long X 1/2'' blade length X 3/8'' blade width.

Made in U.S.A. - 3/8'' hexagonal stock X 5 7/8'' long X 1/2'' blade length X 3/8'' blade width.

Made in U.S.A. - 5/16'' hexagonal stock X 5'' long X 1/2'' blade length X 3/8'' blade width.


I would agree that the offset in the RA PD image appears to be that heavy weight Blue Point 060, so here is my comparison

[Wingnutt]

Greg you might remember one of them

Honesty, I don't! Which one did I send to you? Please don't tell me it was the Blue-Point 060? I really have to learn to keep more things! I need one for my current kit! HAHA. Ah well, it's all about the hunt, not the finish!