Will It Run? North Bros / Stanley No. 41 Push Drill Restoration 

EDITED: The knurled lock ring on the handle/bit storage has a steel ring that locks in the groove on the shaft under lock ring to hold the bit storage closed.. That steel lock ring died decades ago from the rust monster. That was not going to be a save no matter how careful you were. Thanks for the video. I just picked up a 41Y for my off-grid tool kit. I finally got the chuck off.after watching your video. it was a very tight fit. I got everything cleaned, lubricated with Tetra teflon grease and Tetra teflon oil emulsion from my gun cleaning supplies. Re-assembly was not easy; I had trouble getting the holes for the chuck retaining screw to align so the screw would seat all the way down, but finally got it. It operates very smoothly now. The 41Y went right to work drilling the holes for hinges, a magnetic catch, and a cabinet handle on a small access door for water shut-off valve. It is much easier to get the pilot holes in the exact location compared to using an egg-beater or bulky cordless drill in small work areas. I bought the set of 8 replacement bits from Amazon, 1/16th” through 1/8” by 1/64ths that appear to be make in China, though there is not a country of origin on the packaging. The bits are nice with some gold engraved letters on the shank for the size and worked very well.

I've found that those rubber bungee-cords, the black solid-rubber ones with no cloth cover, make a good grip-guard for when you need to get a tight hold on something without scarring it up. Just have to pick up a broken one some place, I've found 'em in the road a time or two, and cut to length! Used a piece of one I found in a chicken-coop when I was taking apart an air-sander with a rusted-on inner nut. Took a lot of heat and penetrating oil too, but it came off in the end! Nice thing about the rubber, it'll burn a bit but it won't melt like anything plastic would. Great save! It's functional and it's shiny enough for me!

I have one inherited from my dad in perfect condition. Craftsman Sears and Roebuck purchased during the 1950 era complete with all the blue steel bits. Most every hand tools he had were Craftsman as with most everything else from from Sears like clothes, furniture, gardening tools. etc.

Having the spare handle was 'pulling the rabbit out of the hat'! for sure. Nice job. I am suprised that you didn't lube the helix with anything. Super Lube Maybe?

What kind of maniac does not like saving nasty tools. Great video.

The satisfaction of Winning and Fixing it is worth a Million Bucks.

North Brothers tools are some of the most durable and innovative tools I've seen. I use them daily. That 41 model resided in the kitchen junk drawer for those occasional holes my wife needs to hang things on walls..

That was like a mission impossible episode, your mission Jim, should you decide to accept it… 😂😂😂 Great job!

I love that re-assembly polka!

Wow! That was a lot of work, but as always you did a fine job. I look forward to your uploads every week " Sunday with Magdad" Love seeing old tools get a new life. Like I said before " The best $3.00 you spent on that tool box". Thanks again.

Disagree in one respect; it IS beautiful...a beautiful recovery. Congratulations!

These things have been around forever. My dad had one, never used it. I remember going through the Kennedy toolbox looking for the special bits that stored in the handle. This was a newer one though with a see through plastic handle with a screw on cap and a small selector switch.

That was a fine cleanup. It seems that this was your most difficult cleanup so far. Good job.👍

The best three bucks you ever spent. Great job!

What was surprising is that how much dried rust came out even after the soaking in evaporust.

It looks good and it works good Never worry about the bad spots

I am so glad I found this video. I just came across one of the Yankee 41 push drill when going thru my dad's old tools (he passed in 1989, and I am just going thru things!). It isn't rusty but it doesn't work, so now I know how to get it cleaned up and hopefully functioning again.

HA!!! THE POLKA music GREAT!!!! 'ROLL OUT THE BARREL'!!!!! Kept going through my head!

Back in the early 1970s when I was in the US Air Force my job was installing telephones and business systems. We did a lot of securing telephone cables to walls and equipment panels with claps and screws. Were were issued a Yankee Drill just like the one you rescued from the 3 buck Craftsman 6500 tool box. I don't know if the Air Force or DOD had a contract for Stanley to make the old style or if there was a deep stock of them. Back then there wasn't battery power drills and drivers so Yankee drill and a screwdriver is how we attached stuff to walls. I am sure the early Yankee Drill was preferred because other than the bits it was all one piece. It wouldn't have been good to lose the cap off your Yankee Drill and not be able to securely store the bits. You have to admit it is a great tool. I picked one up at a yard sale about 30 years ago that was pretty rusty and I never did anything to except clean it and oil it. It had like three bits so I bought a replacement set at the hardware store. Maybe its time to pretty up the Yankee Drill. Another fine video Mr. MagDad.

That was great job. When my father in law died 5 years ago I found one like it in his garage it was still in the box. I don’t think it was ever used. It’s in my shop now

Still have my dads model 41 in a drawer in the garage. Man O man, first the screw driver and now this. These tools were so far gone, I have to admit, I would have given up. You brought them back to life and they will probably last forever now. Amazing job.

Nice recovery and glad you had spare parts to bring it back to life

Great job on the knife restoration! I could have lived without the beer porn, but you do wonderful work, so I guess you earned it!

Wow, just wow. So many problems overcome.

Wow another wreck brought to life! I like to pause after your introduction and think about how I would proceed. Then I watch the rest of your video. I learn so much that way. Love the assembly music! Thanks

Nice cleanup. I'm glad the loss of those rusted threads wasn't catastrophic.

I have 5 or 6 of those. Most are marked ( BELL SYSTEM ) You did a great job of saving that one. I live in the Pacific Northwest and have found a lot of Bell System tools over the years. Several of mine are marked No. 41Y.

I kept expecting you to throw in the towel, but you kept at it. Nice work!

another great episode of the world of rust...endless...but enjoyable...love it...

Fantastic rescue. I like the way you are forging your way through that toolbox and bringing these old neglected tools back to life. This tool is very useful now. It's amazing that it had its various drill bits. Nine times out of ten they would probably be missing. Judging by the appearance of the bits, this tool looks like it was intended for delicate or light duty work. I'm really glad your stash saved the day. I wondered what you would do with those frozen threads. This video is a great lesson in being patient with your restorations. Thanks

Hooray!! Tha mighty MAGDAD WINS AGAIN!!!🙌👏👏👏👏

I have a number of those push drills I have collected and they are waiting to be worked on, I know some are not going to be much good for for other than parts down the line. Thanks for the video sir, excellent rebuild.

I used to work for the phone company and used this tool for over 30 years before battery powered tools it worked like a charm and had various drill bits in the handle and sometimes I used it as a hammer nice video 357magdad...

Nice! I either find these like almost new or totally worn out, never rusted like this one. Cool to see it functional again. My collection was inspired by your videos after finding about 25 bits in a $.25 bin at a flea market. I bought every bit she had and then had to find drivers. I just blame you when my wife rolls her eyes at another purchase!

The impossible became possible... Great job...I have the same one that was my Dad's it's in good shape and now I know how to take it apart 👍 😀

It’s guys like you, who will be the reason these tools still exist 100 years from now! Outstanding job!

I gotta admit it Bud I wasn't giving that much hope!! Well done!!☻

I have one of those. Was my grandfather's . Still works and in much better shape. Nice to see your restoration.

Unbelievable! You busted your ass on this one! Have you seen guys nickel plating stuff in other restoration videos? I’m curious about it and how durable it could be. The nickel on the brass seemed to not necessarily protect it, but it was probably deep in rusty water for a while to etch the shaft the way it did. I know some guys go insanely overboard with restorations, getting things to mirror polished madness. To me, I am more likely to use a tool if it’s already showing use and character and if it was a gleaming mirror, I probably wouldn’t use it for fear of messing things up. What do you feel about it?

You really outdid yourself this time MD. Really nice job on this one. Thanks for sharing.

I was not expecting this would come back. I am amazed you had a spare handle. Looks and works terrific now. Well done. Dave.

Very nice! That was a tough one. You got it done. Thanks 😊 🙏

Nice job! I have my Grandfather’s Yankee drill. It works but could use a tuneup. Now I know how to disassemble it. Without a spare handle, I thought you could use a small hose clamp to hold the handle in place.

Totally awesome restoration on the no. 41 pushdrill Magdad! What a tough project, but you perseviered. I have a Craftsman DD 4221 U.S.A. pushdrill similar to the no. 45 that has worked well for years. I wonder whether it was made by Stanley as it looks almost identical to the no. 45. 😮👍😊

Good save on this one! It was a goner .... lives to drill another day.

I have had some pretty good success using vibration from a air chisel but not everything. I've got a couple snap-on tools made specially for that a socket wrench and a screwdriver set .. but even a good snap-on man won't know what your talking about when you ask..but they're great ..

Awesome job Magdad! You did better than all the Kings men 😄

Love this Push Drill! I have one and I love it! Very handy little tool :-)

I have 2 of the plastic handle push drills with no bits and a model 41 with 7 bits. I use it more than my power drill

I have a push drill that's very similar to this, made by Craftsman. Got it from my Uncle Robert when I was a kid. He was a belly gunner on a Navy PB4Y (Naval version of a B-24 Liberator) during WWII but, I only knew him as a cabinet maker. The way the bits come out of mine is very different from the way it works on the one shown here. My heart skipped a beat watching this restoration. On mine, the pin you drove out of the top of the handle, that pin, on mine, is a spring loaded detent. You push it in and the top twists off after a short turn so you can pull the bit drum up to get at the bits inside. When I saw you hammering on that pin, I thought, "Wow, this guy is an idiot and is gonna eff-it up". But, thankfully, I was wrong. Anyway, nicely done.

Good video again. But the best part was the Manic Polka 😂. Loved that.

I think i have one of dads old ones in my garage! Brings back memories of using it on random stuff when I was a kid. What a wonderful job you did on that!

Magdad you are the best that's a fantastic job and a great video thanks for sharing your time and skill 🥃🥃👍👍🇬🇧

I can't believe you got that running so well after what it started as. Really nice to see every component taken apart. Awesome Job!!

What a wreck! I am impressed with how you got everything apart and working. I have seen rusty tools before but not like this. Thanks for sharing this.

Outstanding episode! Your just next level! Enjoyed it..heck, I thought that one was a gonner forsure! Excellent Magdad!

Heck yea. Nice job. Yankee drills are handy as the dickens. Toss it in a tool bag for the car or for around the house. Instant holes with no electricity. I love these things. Would this be fun practice for nickel plating? Thanks for the video. Appreciated.

You've done a wonderful restoration. The Stanley Drill is really looking great.

Very well done. You saved a useful tool.

Great tutorial on the anatomy of the Stanley 41 push drill. It will come in handy when I do mine. Thanks Magdad!

You “handled” that tough restoration very well, looks and works great. I liked the funny “bit”.

Hi Magdad , Just like mine I got in the Old Craftsman Tool chest deal at the flea Market . Mine Is A Little different , not sure of the maker of mine. Mine Was Rough too. Nice job 👍

Found I just like it started cleaning it up the small screw on the handle is tough to remove I'll keep trying but your video is helpful now I know what I'm getting in too thanks

Yup have the patience of a saint. 👍

Nice work!..that thing was a mess....that was pretty cool you had that spare Handle :] Thumbs Up!!

I didn't thought you would be able to save it. Nicely done, great work as always! Take care!

Looked like hard work and a pleasing result (lucky about the replacement part). I think when you repair something like a push drill it's about trying to restore the essence of the object rather than do a perfect restoration. I love the tool but truly relieved i don't have to rely on it and its bits to drill holes. 😢

Agreed!

WOW! Nicely done Magdad ! Thank You for sharing!

I really appreciate this video. Many would not show the struggle or failures. I also like that you kept going and got it working. A very realistic restoration of an abused tool. Keep up thw good work.

Hi I am UK based and I have restored many pumps of all sizes. Well worth the effort. When your cordless goes flat you have a great back up. Do you agree !!!??

Excellent work, loved the journey of this restoration! 👍😊

Incredible restoration and tutorial. I'm glad that you had the spare parts handy. I tell my wife that I don't like throwing things out that might be useful. You have proven my point in spades. Perhaps you should call that push drill your Lazarus drill. I only recently came across your channel and found it truly interesting. Reminds me of my grandfather's tool chest. More, please.

That was a real challenge! Great Job!

The bits are more valuable than the tool these days!

🙇‍♂️ Full respect. Resto and film, superb.

Bravo dude! I've never seen one of those taken all the way apart! Best tool video I've seen all week!

That was one of the most amazing restorations I have seen you do!

nice job as always

This was not a restoration, it was a resurrection! Great job

That was in rough shape! Looks really good😀👍

I think you can call it a win. Looks good and it works. 👍🏻

Determination+Skill+Good Music= Success & a Good Video. Well done MagDad!

Well simply amazing…very interesting tool….I see it fought you , but isn’t that more satisfying in the end , I think so….very impressive resto…well done ….🇬🇧🇺🇸

I wondered how you were going to fix that handle, guess it pays to keep stuff …problem is, I got too much stuff! Great video!

Wonderful restoration, good for another 50 to 70 years.

Great job there Magdad, honestly thought you'd have to give up on that one! 👍👍🇺🇸🇬🇧

Loved the video!

Great effort MagDad. Your skill level and patience exceeds mine but your videos definitely inspiring me to at least try to breathe new life into old tools! Thanks for the gratifying content!!

Great job! Very impressed with your replacement pasts inventory

Nice work! This one clearly didn’t go your way but glad you were able to make it work and look good, too. And of course save the bits. Those spoon bits alone are worth a mint! Good video!

What an amazing restoration! I thought for sure that it was destined for the junk bin but you pulled it back from the edge. Congrats!

I definitely need one of those.

That was fun to watch! Maybe not so fun to do, but it all worked out. Lucky you had a "spare" handle eh?

Another beautiful job!! I've got a few of very similar ones that were my great grandfather's... I appreciate the tutorials and planning on restoring mine !

Nicely done MagDad 🛠👍😊

Magda that was awesome 😃

You did a downright respectable job on that basket case Magdad. The tuba heavy polka music was a good choice for the music. Great job! Take care 😃👍🏼

Another toughie conquered!!!

As bad as your push drill was it came out pretty good Very good video thank you