Be Prepared

Sometimes I do things that don’t make any sense. Okay, a lot of the time I do things that don’t make any sense.

 

Last week I bought a Stanley Yankee 41Y push drill from the second hand store for one dollar. I suppose that the reason it was so cheap is that it didn’t have any drill bits that came with it and since they are specially made for the drill, normal bits won’t work. These drill bits are fluted as opposed to the modern spiral bits. Add to that the fact that the company hasn’t made bits for that drill since 1995. They discontinued the drill many years before that. I’m guessing because of the new drills both corded and cordless which are far superior in every way. The only situation where a Stanley Yankee drill would be better is in a total and prolonged blackout. Basically, it will come into its own if our civilization reverts back to the Stone Age.

 

Needless to say, I began to search the internet to find bits for my new, old drill. They are there to be found, but at about sixty times what I paid for the drill itself. That won’t work for me. I mulled over fabricating my own bits, but without a metal lathe and a few years of metal working experience, I would fail miserably. Interestingly enough, even though you leave Ebay and then return, the prices of these bits remained the same, time and time again.

I went back to the second hand store several times, but unfortunately I had no luck finding eight tiny bits in a store that spreads things out quite randomly. Meanwhile, back on Ebay the prices are the same as they were. I am prepared to wait. Sometimes, years can go by before an item you are looking for makes an appearance.

I don’t care, I have several drills to my name and unless our civilization totally collapses I should be fine. Besides, even if the civilization does collapse and we are in the Stone Age, it is a pretty remote chance that I will be able to save the day by drilling a few tiny holes in a board. I’d need a drill that would work in stone.

Today, I decided to go to the used tool store. I didn’t actually think they would have any of these bits, but it is a super cool place and fun just to browse. They have all sorts of tools on consignment, many of which I have no idea what they can possibly be used for. There is also a “Mantiques” area at the back of the store. They have all sorts of old tools for old fools, lots of toys that were new when I was a kid and an assortment of Playboy and Penthouse magazines in mint condition. They were protected over the years hiding under the bed I guess. It is a fun place.

 

I guess it is not surprising that they had a Stanley Yankee 41Y push drill in their display case. I asked to see it and what do you know? It came with the drill bits! It was far cheaper than buying the bits from Ebay, so of course I bought the drill. Now, I have two Stanley Yankee 41Y push drills and a set of drill bits that fit. I don’t know what I am going to do with them, I really don’t.

I suppose I could pray for a prolonged blackout or the collapse of our civilization. That might be a little selfish of me, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.