Passer Drill

[Maurice Ungaro]

Any of you read the latest PW article that Roy Underhill did on the antiquated Passer Drill? I had the coolest experience today at the Lei-Nielsen Tool Event in Raleigh. Roy was there with a collection of human powered tools, and in the box by his lathe was the subject of the article! I asked him if he was going to demonstrate it, and he said, without missing a beat, "No, you are!". So, I did as instructed, strapping the base plate and belt tightly around my waist, wrapping the bow cord around the drill and having at it. What a gas! You have to move around slightly to make sure it cleans out the corners in the template, but, damn skippy, if it doesn't do as advertised. It was interesting to see most of the crowd there congregate around the wild chattering of the drill and wonder what the heck was going on.
I'll post a photo if I can get one.

[Mark Godlesky]

Very cool experience.

I saw the PBS episode when he demonstrated it. I must admit I was skeptical until I saw it work.

[Michael Peet]

I saw the episode too (a couple times). I'm jealous you got to meet him.

Mike

[Ryan Mooney]

Its a really cool idea. Anyone tried to make one?

Doesn't seem incredibly complicated, although getting the cutting geometries correct could be interesting.

[Maurice Ungaro]

I bet if you contacted Peter Ross (the NC blacksmith Roy used), hr could make one up for you.

[Jason Coen]

As an aside, if you wear that belt to lunch you'll get funny looks from the patrons of S&T's.

[Jim Koepke]

Here is a demo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAaaLSJ6Ykk

jtk

[Eric Brown]

There have been other designs patented in the USA that can do what the passer does. For instance, Frank Vester had patent 75,812, Mar 24, 1868.


220614

[Maurice Ungaro]

Jim, thanks for the YouTube link!