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On The Lead Lap
Posted 06 February 2020 - 12:11 PM
While working on that beat-up old T Jet, it occurred to me that one of the screwdrivers I have been using all these years came out of (I think) an Aurora "Hop-Up" kit.
You tell me:
I'm pretty sure that's where it came from: in which case, this is the only remaining vestige of my 1960s slot car experience... 
Mark in Oregon
Posting Leader
Posted 06 February 2020 - 02:46 PM
We like tools Mark.
Here is a link to a post, please add your tool find to what we have found collectively. Is it branded Aurora?
http://slotblog.net/...3959-tool-time/
On The Lead Lap
Posted 06 February 2020 - 04:11 PM
We like tools Mark.
Here is a link to a post, please add your tool find to what we have found collectively. Is it branded Aurora?
Hello again Martin.
It is not; "MADE IN USA" on opposite sides of the handle are the only markings.
I'm pretty sure it came from the "Hop Up" kit; I've had this for as long as I can remember, and at one time I did get a "Hop Up" kit, just to "keep up" with the local kids who had T Jets. It's always been perfect for 2-56 screws, which is a "standard" size for HO trains, which is what I was into for many, many years...
Here's a photo from a current eBay listing:
Sure looks like the same item...(?)
Nice link, BTW...
Mark in Oregon
PS: Another photo from a different lot...
... 
...
On The Lead Lap
Posted 06 February 2020 - 07:45 PM
There were at least 3 different types of screwdrivers used over time. None had Aurora on them that I know of. They may have had multiple suppliers due to the huge number of Hop Up kits sold.
On The Lead Lap
Posted 06 February 2020 - 08:20 PM
Here's one more, taken from "worthpoint":
Sure looks like the same screwdriver, so I'm sticking to my story.
Mark in Oregon
Posting Leader
Posted 07 February 2020 - 12:58 PM
The first kit you show is the harder to find vibrator kit with the screwdriver and brush adjuster. The last kit does not have the correct screwdriver. Over the years somebody could have thrown anything in there. It is too long. Almost all of the correct screwdrivers and brush adjusters I've seen are marked "Made in Haiti" Yes, even the ones from 1960. I do have one or two marked U.S.A but they are the exception rather than the norm. Aurora sourced stuff from everywhere. They even used gears from a watchmaking factory in Switzerland as they were the world leader in small precision gears.
My uncle worked for Aurora and had a factory in Brooklyn that produced track when they couldn't keep up with demand at the LI factory. My uncle and parents used to go dancing with the owner Abe Shikes. I have a pic somewhere here in another post.
The letters are recessed on all that I have. I have screwdriver pics if needed.
Joe Lupo
On The Lead Lap
Posted 07 February 2020 - 01:31 PM
The first kit you show is the harder to find vibrator kit with the screwdriver and brush adjuster. The last kit does not have the correct screwdriver. Over the years somebody could have thrown anything in there. It is too long. Almost all of the correct screwdrivers and brush adjusters I've seen are marked "Made in Haiti" Yes, even the ones from 1960. I do have one or two marked U.S.A but they are the exception rather than the norm. Aurora sourced stuff from everywhere. They even used gears from a watchmaking factory in Switzerland as they were the world leader in small precision gears.
Joe
If you don't mind, would you be willing to measure your "U.S.A" example(s)?
Mine is 3" end to end.
Mark in Oregon
Posting Leader
Posted 07 February 2020 - 01:43 PM
Yes, 3 inches it is. If your letters are recessed I would call it original. As would be expected the U.S.A. ones are of a much higher quality than the Haiti pieces. Would have never thought that Haiti was a source for screwdrivers in 1960 
Joe Lupo
Posting Leader
Posted 07 February 2020 - 04:09 PM
Here's a picture of my "prized possession". I'm about 99.9% sure this is from my old Aurora T-Jet Hop Up Kit even though it has raised "Made In USA" lettering. It looks similar in size to the one in the picture in post #5 above. I'm guessing that Aurora had many sources for these small screwdrivers through the years so IMO there's no telling the exact specification for these.
I still use it today in my 1/24th slot box, it works great as a pry bar when desoldering pinion gears.
Jay Guard
IRRA Board of Directors (2022-Present),
Gator Region Retro Racing Co-Director (2021-Present)
SERRA Co-Director (2009-2013)
IRRA BoD advisor (2007-2010)
Team Slick 7 member (1998-2001)
Way too serious Retro racer
Backmarker
Posted 07 February 2020 - 06:25 PM
Do USA rules have metric on the other side?
What's a title?
Posted 07 February 2020 - 06:31 PM
Do USA rules have metric on the other side?
Some do. Some don't.
Rotor
Age scrubs away speed!
Posted 07 February 2020 - 07:04 PM
Mine doesn't. i've got an old one like Jay's that reads 10ths & 100ths. Mine is stamped Pickett rather than Starrett .The back side shows the decimal conversion for 1/64 fractions from 1/64 to 63/64.
On The Lead Lap
Posted 07 February 2020 - 07:14 PM
Yes, 3 inches it is. If your letters are recessed I would call it original. As would be expected the U.S.A. ones are of a much higher quality than the Haiti pieces. Would have never thought that Haiti was a source for screwdrivers in 1960
YAY! Yes they are.
Thanks for the verification.
Mark in Oregon
