What The 41Y Is In My Shop

the Yankee drill is a lot of fun, but the Stanley 41Y is especially enjoyable

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[JtravisWoodshop]

My dad was a telephone lineman for 40 years. I am now rebuilding his BELL SYSTEM tool box for him. When he unwrapped his BS 41y yankee drill, the first thing he immediately did was shake it to see how many bits were in the handle! He still remembered that

[garyarnold]

I have 2 from my father. It says Bell System on it. He was a telephone repair and installer for Michigan Bell. All the tools in the house had Bell System on it. I was 19 before I found out that Bell System did not sell tools...

[garyfairbrother]

Back in 1962 I used one quite a bit (intended). I was a senior in high school and worked part time and weekends installing window blinds and shades for a furniture store. It was cordless, quiet and light weight, all the benefits of an up on a ladder hole driller for tiny screws. Yup, had the Yankee driver too. A few months ago I saw one online for $45 like new condition, complete with box and all bits. Did I need it? No! Do I love it? YES! The heart wants what the heart wants. Thanks for recognizing it’s greatness for all to see.

[markstuart]

Mine is most likely a generation or 2 before the one you're showing, as the drill bits are accessible from the top. The top has holes around its edge for each drill bit. It rotates. One of the holes is the closed position so the bits don't come out. It was my dad's. It's a Stanley. It's probably 70 to 80 years old and still works.

[randytellez]

I am 71. Hired on with Pacific Telephone back in Los Angeles in '70 as a residential phone installer for a year then transferred to PBX installer. I still have my company issue Y41 with bits and it still works like new.

The straight fluted bits were used for sheetrock/plaster walls and twisted flute for wood. Eventually and even though I carried an electric drill, then later battery drill, I always used my Y41 for small screws.

Ya I've rarely used it since I retired..now I have a set of self centering bits (VIXBIT) for brackets and such and a very old ice pick I inherited from my father for all else. My oldest grandson gets my Y41 when I pass on.

[mewzishun]

I just used mine (#44) this morning to drill a pilot hole for a screw eye. Only one hole needed and it was even more convenient than my cordless drill.

[SeahawkSailor]

I own and love this tool, which was my father's. Been using it since I was a child. VERY handy for home repair/improvement projects, compact, batteries never need charging, Fits into many corners that a cordless drill cannot. Replacement bits are still available as well. On mine, nearly all the chrome is worn off. My father most likely purchased his in the late 40s when working construction, so about 75 years old, and working perfectly.

[daleties]

I absolutely love this tool. I've had mine for several decades and it still works perfectly. The bits being stored in the handle is so perfect for me. I tend to lose stuff and the smaller the stuff, the greater my tendency for losing it. So very early on I just got into the habit of putting the bit right back in the handle aftere using it and after all these years, I still have the same number of bits that I started out with. This was one of best ideas Stanley ever came up with and they've come up with plenty of genius ideas. Find one at an estate or garage sale and get it dirt cheap. Although they're worth the $90.00 price tag they hang on 'em these days. Especially considering they're built like tanks to last a numerous lifetimes.

[villagecarpenter]

When I started in carpentry back in the 80"s I was given one of these by my dad. I used it when we were installing cedar clapboard siding to quickly drill holes in the edge by the but joints so the board did not split. It worked great especially while working on a ladder or scaffolding. I still own it!

[lbhunter]

The first drill I was allowed to use as a child...have had on in my kit for more than forty years...as you've pointed out, it's perfect for small holes and it's even more well suited for holes in hard to reach spaces. Certainly, not in my top five required tools, but heads the "handy to have" list!

[yippeethreeeight]

My dad has one of those. I used to love using it. One time I used it to drill a hole straight through my finger. Thankfully, I was using a really small bit.

[Beehashe]

Yankee drills were the original cordless drills. In 1982 I bought mine to install cabinet hardware. It still works like new today.

[davidgagnon]

I just picked up one of these at an estate sale. The first thing I did when picking it up out of the $1 bin was to shake it to see if there were bits in the handle. I waited until getting home to open it up. Every slot had a bit in it. What a find!

[michaelarighi]

I've had a couple of Yankee drivers over the years. The one I've hung onto, and still use occasionally, belonged to my great-uncle, who was a carpenter around the turn of the last century. He died in about 1919, long before I was born, but the driver came down in the family, including some of the bits, and ultimately ended up with me, as the only one doing woodwork. I've supplemented the bit collection some over the years. Years ago, it was still the best solution where you didn't have an outlet nearby. But, as I get older, I find I want to get the hole drilled or the screw in place faster, to get closer to the finish line, so don't tend to linger over my Yankee much anymore.

[franksaunders]

Yankee drivers are great for rapidly removing panels held by multiple screws and for predrilling holes for finish or brad nails. You can purchase adapters to use regular drill bits or round and hex shaped driver bits. The adapter can be used with nut driver bits as well. No batteries or electrical cord to worry about.

[anthonymorris]

My grandfather recently passed away and found several push drills and drivers in amongst his tools. I am electrician so I grabbed one of each but plan to use his driver to put in device cover plate screws

[marianhood]

I have 2 of these, one my dad gave me when I was a kid. That one's made out of plastic. When my dad died I inherited his metal one. I'm pretty sure he got it when he was an instrument mechanic in the RCAF in WWII. I carry the plastic one in my camping tool box and I often use the metal one in my shop. I didn't know you could still get bits for them. Thanks for that info.

[mikesperanza]

I worked for the New York telephone company for many years. That was one of our most used tool! The old “yankee drill”! I still a have a couple of them that I use all the time. …… starting to get low on bits. (I’ve been retired for over 25 years!)

[paulbernauer]

Got mine from my Dad as well, who also worked for Ma Bell. Use it a few times a year and find it to be a great addition to the toolbox.

[williamlee]

I bought one of these when I watched the Scout crafter video of his. I have used this a lot more than I ever thought I would.