tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138198635601292326.post5968898609986022585..comments2024-03-27T01:50:54.268-04:00Comments on Blue Collar Prepping: Hand Drills, part 2Lokidudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16621746696000747854noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138198635601292326.post-80083830632316438692020-02-20T19:06:23.604-05:002020-02-20T19:06:23.604-05:00When very young, I was introduced to a tool called...When very young, I was introduced to a tool called a "Yankee Drill". It's a form of hand drill, but is not cranked. It is a piston-style drill -- you hold the drill's bit on the spot where you want to make a hole, and press down. The outer portion with the handle moves toward the work piece, and engulfs a smaller in diameter portion. A spiral groove is either on the inside of the upper portion, or on the outside of the lower portion, and pushing the handle over the bottom part engages a pin in the groove and rotates the lower section, and the bit, against the work piece. When it is pushed in all the way, letting up the pressure causes an internal compression spring to push the upper section off of the lower section, which engages the grooves again, but in reverse, and rotates the bit in the other direction. <br /><br />A Yankee bit is not a spiral, it is an hourglass shape, with sharp edges. It can cut when rotated in either direction. So pushing in and letting up on the piston will cut the material on both the inward stroke AND the outward. The shape of the bit will naturally move the shavings up and out of the hole as it cuts deeper.<br /><br />A Yankee drill is EXTREMELY energy-efficient. It's a lot easier on your hands, and will fit into a tighter space. It doesn't need room for your hand on the side, and doesn't need room for a brace to fit. It basically looks like a cross between a piston actuator and a screwdriver. Some Yankee drills can be used as screwdrivers -- a control will stop rotating the drill either on the push stroke or the spring-return stroke, so it will rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise as you push it in and out. This way, the screw or bolt will only be turned one way or the other, screwing it in or unscrewing it.<br /><br />Here's an article from MAKE about the Yankee Drill. (You can also look up "Yankee Screwdriver"): https://makezine.com/2012/04/17/tool-review-garrett-wade-yankee-push-drill/ Gwen Patton, NG3Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08561408160951811503noreply@blogger.com