Tool Talk

Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Topic started by: john k on November 02, 2020, 11:47:08 AM

Title: Ace screwdrivers
Post by: john k on November 02, 2020, 11:47:08 AM
ACE hardware screwdrivers been popping up lately.   Seem to be about 1950 vintage.  Got them to use as my Snap-On black handles are going away fast.
Title: Re: Ace screwdrivers
Post by: bonneyman on November 03, 2020, 08:41:55 PM
Who was the manufacturer for those Ace drivers?
Title: Re: Ace screwdrivers
Post by: AutoMechanic on December 31, 2020, 05:05:21 PM
Nice. Haven’t seen too many like that. Looks like some of the Fuller Screwdrivers I have.
Title: Re: Ace screwdrivers
Post by: LargeMarge on January 21, 2021, 06:21:38 AM
Okay, this is amazing. But the most important question can I buy such a setting somewhere? Auction House? eBay? Website? My husband was going on and on about how he had a set of Ace screwdrivers when he was young, he got them from his Pa and the whole story ensued. I would give almost anything to be able to get him a set of those now. Please, please let me know if it is doable.
Title: Re: Ace screwdrivers
Post by: Papaw on January 21, 2021, 12:33:36 PM
Welcome to Tool Talk !

I see a few singles from the 50s on Ebay. Search https://www.google.com/search?q=Ace+screwdrivers&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS805US805&sxsrf=ALeKk03C7WeDRj3QhiT9ZoIoRZMsJBLiiw:1611253489308&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiw2P3-0q3uAhUHLK0KHbi_DaAQ_AUoAnoECAYQBA&biw=858&bih=420 (https://www.google.com/search?q=Ace+screwdrivers&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS805US805&sxsrf=ALeKk03C7WeDRj3QhiT9ZoIoRZMsJBLiiw:1611253489308&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiw2P3-0q3uAhUHLK0KHbi_DaAQ_AUoAnoECAYQBA&biw=858&bih=420)
Title: Re: Ace screwdrivers
Post by: Yadda on January 21, 2021, 07:48:30 PM
Quote from: Papaw on January 21, 2021, 12:33:36 PM
Welcome to Tool Talk !

I see a few singles from the 50s on Ebay. Search https://www.google.com/search?q=Ace+screwdrivers&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS805US805&sxsrf=ALeKk03C7WeDRj3QhiT9ZoIoRZMsJBLiiw:1611253489308&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiw2P3-0q3uAhUHLK0KHbi_DaAQ_AUoAnoECAYQBA&biw=858&bih=420 (https://www.google.com/search?q=Ace+screwdrivers&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS805US805&sxsrf=ALeKk03C7WeDRj3QhiT9ZoIoRZMsJBLiiw:1611253489308&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiw2P3-0q3uAhUHLK0KHbi_DaAQ_AUoAnoECAYQBA&biw=858&bih=420)

Also check Etsy. 
Title: Re: Ace screwdrivers
Post by: DadsTools on February 04, 2021, 11:07:00 AM
The "Flying Ace" logo was used in various forms from the 1930s to mid-1960s. They are very difficult to find in sets. As someone else mentioned, you almost always find them one at a time. I spent a lot of time researching these and was never able to pin down a precise dating for them, but the acetate handles indicate post-war. Probably mid-1950s to mid-1960s.
Title: Re: Ace screwdrivers
Post by: d42jeep on February 06, 2021, 09:04:21 PM
Although they aren’t screwdrivers, I have a matched set of early Ace nutdrivers. If they are of interest to you send me a message. I would let them go for shipping cost.
-Don
Edit***Since I never heard back from the person posting upthread, the nutdrivers were sold on eBay 5/21.
Title: Re: Ace screwdrivers
Post by: Uncle Buck on January 16, 2023, 03:47:11 PM
 Ace brand was the house brand for Ace Hardware stores. I worked in a local Ace Hardware in the late 1970's and all of the drivers shown in this thread are the same as those the store stocked and sold during those years. Likewise during those years True Value had a line of Master Mechanic and True Test tools as well.

I also suspect that during that time Western Forge probably made many drivers for many brands of which Ace probably was one, other likely brands would include Master Mechanic, SK, Craftsman and probably a good number of other brands as well!

I should add, the store I worked in was decades old by 1970's and mant tool  from prior years were still in stock, so the driver's I saw in the late 70's may have been there from 20 years prior.