Odd 1/4" Drive Spinner Handle, Could be Rare

[lauver]

Gang,

I havent been able to find any info on the Deco brand, the OEM, or the approximate date of my spinner handle.  So I've decided to just go with the general date range for 9/32" drive tools, which seems to be about 1925-1937, give or take.

[scottg]

Bill Houghton and I exchanged some messages a while back.
I liked his odd spinner handle. He needed a fairly scarce plane fixed.
So a plan was made and he sent the loot.

 Well the problem with the plane was a wallowed out lever cap. This is unusual. There is almost no reason for this place to wear at all. It never moves but once every blade sharpening.
 I expect somebody was using the wrong blade in this tool to make this happen at all.

 Since it was really unusual and got my problem solving juices ramped up to a keen pitch, I had to dive into it right away. It works like this. Mundane problems are merely work.  But the truly unusual you get to actually puzzle over???

 The fix was straightforward as soon as I had a clear plan.  I took the lever cap off and lined up on the drill press. Reamed the wallowed out hole round and smooth. There was still a hair of taper just at the top. I didn't want to ream that far to save material. Lever caps for these are pretty delicate. 
 Then I took some bronze and turned a bushing on the metal lathe.  A bit of clearance to ride the mounting screw (it has to move). Then a light taper with nearly an interference fit on the outside diameter,  so it would be have to be pressed into the lever cap, and stay there.
 Ready for another 100 years use!

 So the barter goodies?
His weird socket driver just like Gary's.  I am a sucker for weird. It says Deco and a number and this is the only marking.
 I thought it was 1/4" drive at first too. But it turns out to be 9/32 as well.
  A much rarer size but it means I don't get to use it as much.

 Attached to the end of this? Which I at first though to part of it, is actually a 9/32drive ratchet adapter!
It pops off and can go on any 9/32 tool.
    Its a darling thing.  I have seen hundreds of 3/4 and 1/2" ratchet adapters. 3/8" is scarcer but they do exist. This is never saw before.

 It says (some unreadable numbers) then,  Pat Applied For
USAF J.O Mfg Co, Sough Gate, Calif
 
 The loose ring on top reverses direction. It has about 18 clicks per revolution.
There is no way to get it apart without breaking it. All I could do was soak it in acetone/atf and then dry and lightly oil.
 
    yours Scott

[Branson]

I really enjoyed the whole of the post, but I had to respond to this:

>Mundane problems are merely work.  But the truly unusual you get to actually puzzle over???

This is one of the best things I've read in a while.   Might have to be enshrined as a Daily Quote.   Yep, the mundane problems just grind you down, but the unusual problems make you grow.

[lauver]

scottg,

I thought this thread had run it's course and died a natural death.  Never expected you to post on this odd driver either.

That said, do you think there might be a connection between the driver and the ratcheting adapter?  Could J.O. Mfg Co. of Calif. be the OEM of both?  Think about it... the adapter vastly increases the utility of the driver... could it have been a package deal?  Just a thought.

Commendations on you good taste in drivers.

[scottg]

 I suppose they could have come together. But I would have expected at least some cursory nod each to the other in the markings. I know I would have if I were making them.

  The adapter has a standard mount, like an extension, so could fit onto any driver handle or breaker bar, etc. etc.

 I sure wish somebody would find an ad for the driver handle. I keep wondering if the holes actually held other tools/bits or were merely decorative. They seem to extend though the smaller diameter part so something about 3" long would fit and still leave an unobstructed grip.
 The fact that neither of ours were found with any bits at all, seems like a longer shot though.
    yours Scott

[rusty]

JO mfg seems to be war era, and not much past the 50's....

They did manage to (aquire a) patent (for) an eggbeater drill
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=2310759&id=14411

There are a few other references in the patent files as reference material, not much else...

[scottg]

Wow thanks Rusty! You da man on research!!
  yours Scott

[oldtoolman]

the handle is too separate pieces,right? I bet the drive end will slip down and become a spinner with the knob stationary in your hand.why would the make it two pieces? I have some other drivers that lock or spin..check it out..Larry

[kxxr]

It looks like this thing just won't die. I was browsing around ebay this morning and spotted this thing from Snap On and I'm pretty sure that is the same funny looking handle. At least in this case, it's a speeder handle. Take a look.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-SNAP-ON-9-32-Drive-M-44-SPEEDER-/290772845819?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b36984fb

[rusty]

When I was looking around before, I found a mention that someone had found one in a box with some snapon sockets, but that is the kind of thing that is often just coincidence. odd to also see it with a snapon speeder.

Making me think more and more that it, the adaptor, and some other things were in some kind of military special tool kit .....

hmmm////

[lauver]

Gang,

I'm liking the U.S. Military connection theory.  As it turns out, the flea market I bought this 9/32" spinner handle at is about 10 miles from a large Army base, and I have found a number of tools that have come from this base, many of which have tool inventory numbers inscribed on them.

[bonneyman]

Dang, Gary, I'm still amazed at how great your redone handles come out!

[Plyerman]

Dang, Gary, I'm still amazed at how great your redone handles come out!

Indeed! From now on I'm sending all my plastic handle refurbishment projects to you!

[bonneyman]

Dang, Gary, I'm still amazed at how great your redone handles come out!

Indeed! From now on I'm sending all my plastic handle refurbishment projects to you!

I think his lead time is up to about 4 years right now! lol

[Ray Smi7th]

Bill Houghton and I exchanged some messages a while back.
I liked his odd spinner handle. He needed a fairly scarce plane fixed.
So a plan was made and he sent the loot.

 Well the problem with the plane was a wallowed out lever cap. This is unusual. There is almost no reason for this place to wear at all. It never moves but once every blade sharpening.
 I expect somebody was using the wrong blade in this tool to make this happen at all.

 Since it was really unusual and got my problem solving juices ramped up to a keen pitch, I had to dive into it right away. It works like this. Mundane problems are merely work.  But the truly unusual you get to actually puzzle over???

 The fix was straightforward as soon as I had a clear plan.  I took the lever cap off and lined up on the drill press. Reamed the wallowed out hole round and smooth. There was still a hair of taper just at the top. I didn't want to ream that far to save material. Lever caps for these are pretty delicate. 
 Then I took some bronze and turned a bushing on the metal lathe.  A bit of clearance to ride the mounting screw (it has to move). Then a light taper with nearly an interference fit on the outside diameter,  so it would be have to be pressed into the lever cap, and stay there.
 Ready for another 100 years use!

 So the barter goodies?
His weird socket driver just like Gary's.  I am a sucker for weird. It says Deco and a number and this is the only marking.
 I thought it was 1/4" drive at first too. But it turns out to be 9/32 as well.
  A much rarer size but it means I don't get to use it as much.

 Attached to the end of this? Which I at first though to part of it, is actually a 9/32drive ratchet adapter!
It pops off and can go on any 9/32 tool.
    Its a darling thing.  I have seen hundreds of 3/4 and 1/2" ratchet adapters. 3/8" is scarcer but they do exist. This is never saw before.

 It says (some unreadable numbers) then,  Pat Applied For
USAF J.O Mfg Co, Sough Gate, Calif
 
 The loose ring on top reverses direction. It has about 18 clicks per revolution.
There is no way to get it apart without breaking it. All I could do was soak it in acetone/atf and then dry and lightly oil.
 
    yours Scott

A new member here. Just perusing the posts and came across this one. I have an identical adapter I posted in another thread. Made by J O Mfg Co the number is spec 50482 A.It is also stamped USAF. In researching this I came across an odd shaped hand drill made by the same company with a similar spec #. It was theorized that this drill was made for working in tight quarters such as an airplane. It sounds feasible as the estate auction I bought them at was from a retired career Air Force person.