Small hand drills, like this eggbeater-style drill from Schroeder, aren’t new products, nor will they replace cordless or AC-powered drills, but they are great for certain things. This Schroeder is my go-to tool for woodworking tasks that require small drill bits.
When my daughter first started working in my shop, my big Dewalt cordless drill scared her. Thinking that I could get her more into tools, I purchased this hand drill for her to use instead. Of course, she found a way to pinch her fingers in the gears, so she never really used it.
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The three jawed chuck has a 1/4″ maximum capacity. While that doesn’t seem like very much, I’ve found its minimum capacity most useful. This drill will hold a small drill bit (like 1/32″) that none of my 3/8″ or 1/2″ chucked drills will.
As a plus, I’ve never snapped a bit with this drill, especially a small bit like 1/16″. I can’t say the same for any of my cordless drills.
The 2″ crank transfers power from a large 50 tooth gear to a small 15 tooth gear. This means that for every turn of the crank, the drill bit spins 3-1/3 times. Did I mention the gears are all metal?
The drill isn’t without its faults. Sometimes a bit will slip because it can be hard to tighten the chuck. To even tighten or loosen the chuck you have to keep the chuck from turning by holding the crank. This isn’t easy because of the gearing, the chuck has a large mechanical advantage over the crank.
I also find it slightly awkward to hold when you are drilling vertically at benchtop level. Your thumb rests on top, not pointing towards the business end of the tool. When you drill horizontally or on a lower surface, where you can hold the drill with your thumb pointing forward, it just feels right.
One more advantage is that a hand drill makes far less noise than an electric drill. And because it’s slower and more controllable, dust and chips can be easier to contain.
Made in Germany, this drill is sold at many online stores, but the cheapest I could find was Amazon where they charge $33 with free Prime shipping (or orders over $35). The next lowest price I could find was at Highland Woodworking, which charges $35 after shipping.
Buy Now (via Amazon)
Buy Now (via Highland Woodworking)
If you’re interested in a bigger drill in the same style, Schroeder does make an 11-3/4″ version of the drill with a 5/16″ chuck, although this really doesn’t buy you much more capacity than the smaller version. This slightly larger drill will run you $49 after shipping
Buy Now (via Highland Woodworking)
Do you a hand drill? If not this model, which would you recommend?
Garrick says
I remember learning with my dad watching on these types of drills. In fact I still have the drill mounted on my wall, and I would never sell it. It is probably about 60 years old, and in perfect running order, and will now last forever.
Allen says
I have two, they each have a different type of countersink in the chuck. Some larger holes I don’t have countersink drill bits for, these get used then.
Mine are an old Stanley and Craftsman.
fred says
Mine is a 50 year old Millers Falls #5A
There is also a mini one sold for hobbyists:
http://cir-kitconcepts.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=246
Nathan says
I’ve not used a handbeater style drill before but I have a old school brace and bit. and like you I use it for some really small stuff
fred says
When I started working in the 1960’s, bit braces were common on job sites. One from Stanley and Millers Falls were still common and came in different qualities and sweeps. there were also variants like “Joist Braces” and “Corner Bit Braces”. All were meant to be used with auger and other bits that had a 4-sided tapered tang.
Beyond the standard hand ‘eggbeater: drill – there were also “breast drills” – some variants still sold:
http://www.sears.com/schroeder-heavy-duty-1-2-inch-rotary-breast-hand/p-00934093000P
Wayne says
Man, I used Wiggle-sticks up on telephone poles back in the 80’s. Run up a pole, put a three-quarter inch holes through that, bolt it up and run to the next pole all day long.
Beer never tasted so good as at the end of one of those days.
Michael says
Thanks for reminding me of a wonderful tool that doesn’t need a cord or battery. I will be buying one for the grandkids to use in my shop.
fred says
My Millers Falls 5A – dates back to my Dad’s shop in the 1950’s . The handle is hollow – with a screw-on wooden cap – and it stores 2-flute wood boring bits similar to what came with Yankee Push drills. Missing from the newer ones pictured is the removable side knob.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/251435516689?lpid=82&chn=ps
James C says
Ah, that takes me back. Thanks for posting that link. It looks exactly like one of the two I used as a kid “helping” my dad in the shop.
Grady says
My father had one when I was a kid. It was one of my favorite toys after watching him use it. Found it a few years ago with one piece missing and one damaged ( neither of which I had nothing to do with. It now hangs proudly on my wall. But I do love these things. Their very practical in a number of situations. My budget just got bigger. But not as bad as lee valley @ $56.50 before shipping.
Ken says
If your looking for a great manual drill try to locate a vintage Stanley Handyman Yankee Push Drill No. 46. They don’t use twist bits they use special flutted bits that store in the handle. The chuck is a sliding sleeve style that engages the bit securely.
I fondly remember it from my childhood, it was dads’s but as a kid it was always easy to use and drill some holes when I was tinkering around in the garage. A few years back I bought one on Ebay and I use it often enough. It’s a great drill for things like hanging pictures, curtain rods etc., grab and go.
Example:
http://www.goantiques.com/stanley-handyman-yankee-2296464
Another manual drill, egg beater style, but offers good control and no exposed gears is one from Fiskars:
http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-85116984J-Hand-Drill-85116984/dp/B00004T80S
fred says
Yankee screwdrivers and push drills were very popular before cordless electric power tools became practical. Yankee – part of North Brothers (the maker of the best Bit Braces) was acquired by Stanley in 1946. Stanley continued to produce push screwdrivers and drills for many years. Their professional model (03-043) was a EDC on phone company installer tool belts. While it is listed as unavailable on Amazon – it or a look-alike is still being sold by Garrett-Wade
Noah says
Good work on linking to Highland Woodworking. I frequented then when I lived in Atlanta, and of course always stop in when I’m in town.
Phil says
I still have my ancient Stanley hand drills I used as a kid. They are pretty much worn out, but still usable for noncritical work. They, along with my even older hand brace, were my original cordless drills. 🙂
george says
I wanted one for a long time. finally found a used one in a second hand store.
after cleaning and oiling it, it works perfectly. price was great also.
michael says
Hi there
Can anyone help me with sourcing the pinion of a double pinion Shroeder hand drill ?
I am constructing a jig to make musical instrument in wood and need to source around 50 pinions !! The pinions used on the hand drills are very close to my requirements and can fit onto my project with minor adjustments.
Also is someone could help me with sourcing a Drive Wheel with an outside diameter of 180mm to 200mm that would be fantastic! I need two of those and will make them if every thing else fails
Thank you Michael
JAYoung says
This is the solution to my problem — whenever I buy a set of drill bits the smallest ones are the first ones to die. The balance and slow drilling speed of an eggbeater makes that less likely for those small drilling tasks.