Millers Falls Push Drills

Much of this listing has been developed from information found in Millers Falls catalogs. The features listed for each tool may differ from actual examples. While the company typically stressed new features in its catalogs, it seldom mentioned the disappearance of a feature or a feature that had become so commonly accepted that it was no longer noteworthy. Then too, production practices varied from catalog copy and illustrations were slow to be updated. By 1960, catalog copy had become so vague that a detailed description of features is not possible.

Nos. 0 - 2 (Johnson)

Johnson's automatic boring tool Johnson's Automatic Boring Tool

Split two-jaw chuck. Shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.

  1. No. 0 — all metal drill with brass casing, replaced by No. 3 in 1897.
  2. No. 1 — with solid rosewood handle, replaced by No. 5 in 1897.
  3. No. 2 — with drill point storage in rosewood handle, replaced by No. 4 in 1897.

Manufactured by the National Manufacturing Company of Boston and sold by the Millers Falls Company. (Lengths for Johnson nos. 1 and 2 courtesy of Bill Lawrence.)

Illustration from 1895 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 0 single spiral 9 1/2 inches ca. 1878 1897
No. 1 single spiral 9 1/2 inches 1894 1897
No. 2 single spiral 9 9/16 inches 1894 1897

No. 03

Goodell-Pratt automatic drill no. 3Goodell-Pratt Automatic Drill

Brass body not polished before plating; dull, white nickel plating; drill point storage in handle; handle is not knurled, rotating indexed cap releases one drill point at a time; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points

An inexpensive push drill for its time, originally introduced by the Goodell-Pratt Company.

Illustration from 1936 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 03 single spiral 9 3/4 inches acquired 1931 1942

No. 1 (Graves)

Graves Drill No. 1 Graves Automatic Drill Stock

  1. ca. 1878 — no manufacturer's mark; rosewood handle; cap on handle unscrews to reveal return spring (no drill point storage compartment); shipped with twelve diamond-shaped drill points in cylindrical wooden tube.
  2. ca. 1904 — as above, but cocobolo handle.

A light weight tool intended for use in the thinnest of wood. Sold separately and also shipped with the Millers Falls No. 1 bracket saw set.

Illustration from 1905 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 1 single spiral 8 1/2 inches ca. 1878 1912

No. 2 (Graves—early)

Graves drill No. 2 variant Graves Automatic Drill

No manufacturer's mark; solid cocobolo handle; four-slot chuck; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.

The first version of the Graves No. 2, a drill intended for more robust use than the delicate Graves No. 1 model. At least one boxed example of this drill is accompanied by a rectangular, nickel-plated steel bit gauge marked Millers Falls. (Gauge information courtesy Bill Lawrence.)

Illustration from 1892 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 2 single spiral 11 inches 1890 1894

No. 2 (Graves—later)

Graves drill no. 2 Graves Automatic Drill

  1. 1894 — no manufacturer's mark; cocobolo handle includes drill point storage compartment; four-slot chuck; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.
  2. 1899 — as above, but equipped with split two-jaw chuck.
  3. 1905 — as above, but equipped with ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.

Intended for more robust use than the delicate Graves No. 1 model.

Illustration from 1904 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 2 single spiral 13 inches 1894 1912

No. 3

Millers Falls automatic boring tool no. 3 Automatic Boring Tool

  1. 1897— nickel plated; knurled handle; no storage in handle; split two-jaw chuck; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.
  2. 1905 — as above, but equipped with ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points in wooden box.
  3. 1922 — catalog notes brass spiral, bronze nut.

No. 3 replaced No. 0 in 1897. Referred to as an 'push drill' with 1917 catalog. At least one boxed example of the earliest form of this drill is accompanied by a rectangular, Millers Falls marked, nickel-plated steel bit gauge. (Gauge information courtesy Bill Lawrence.)

Illustration from 1897 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 3 single spiral 10 inches 1897 1925

No. 4

Millers Falls automatic boring tool no. 4 Automatic Boring Tool

  1. 1897— cocobolo handle includes drill point storage; split two-jaw chuck; exposed parts nickel plated; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.
  2. 1905 — as above, but equipped with ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.
  3. 1914 — as above, but tropical hardwood handle.
  4. 1922 — catalog notes brass spiral, bronze nut.

No. 4 replaced No. 2 in 1897. Referred to as an 'push drill' with 1917 catalog.

Illustration from 1897 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 4 single spiral 11 inches 1897 1925

No. 5

Millers Falls automatic boring tool no. 5 Automatic Boring Tool

  1. 1897 — solid cocobolo handle; split two-jaw chuck; exposed parts nickel plated; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.
  2. 1905 — as above, but equipped with ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points in wooden box.
  3. 1914 — as above, but tropical hardwood handle.

No. 5 replaced No. 1 in 1897.

Illustration from 1897 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 5 single spiral 10 1/2 inches 1897 1915

Nos. 6 - 7

Millers Falls boring tool no. 6 Automatic Boring Tools

  1. 1899 — wooden handle, exposed parts nickel plated; drill point storage in handle; rotating indexed cap releases one drill point at a time; split two-jaw chuck; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.
  2. 1905 — as above, but equipped with ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.

The handle of No. 6 is cocobolo (by 1904-1913) or tropical hardwood (1914); the handle of no. 7 is stained hardwood.

Illustration from 1904 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 6 single spiral 11 inches 1899 1915
No. 7 single spiral 11 inches 1899 1915

No. 8

Millers Falls automatic Star pocket borer Automatic Star Pocket Borer

  1. 1911 — nickel plated; knurled handle; pocket sized when compressed; lockable when compressed; drill point storage in handle; rotating indexed cap releases one drill point at a time; ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points and one dimple-shanked screwdriver bit.
  2. 1922 — catalog notes hollow-tube brass spiral, bronze nut.

Screwdriver bit is intended for use used when tool is compressed and locked. Referred to as an 'pocket push drill' with 1917 catalog and as a 'pocket drill' in 1925.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 8 single spiral
  1. 7 1/4 inches (extended)
  2. 4 7/8 inches (closed)
 1911 1929

No. 45

Millers Falls automatic boring tool no. 45 Automatic Boring Tool

Tropical hardwood handle; exposed parts nickel plated; three-jaw chuck adjustable from 0 to 1/4 inch; knurled check nut behind chuck prevents chuck from working loose.

The three-jaw chuck allows the the use of standard twist bits rather than drill points. Referred to as an 'push drill' with 1917 catalog.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 45 single spiral 11 3/4 inches 1914 1925

No. 79

Millers Falls automatic boring tool no. 79 Automatic Boring Tool

  1. 1914 — stained hardwood handle, exposed parts nickel plated; drill point storage in handle; rotating indexed cap releases one drill point at a time; ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.
  2. 1922 — catalog notes brass spiral, bronze nut.

Identical to No. 180 save for hardwood handle. Referred to as an 'push drill' with 1917 catalog and an 'automatic drill' in 1925.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 180 single spiral 10 1/2 inches 1914 1934

No. 81

Millers Falls automatic drill no. 81 Automatic Drill

Nickel plated; knurled handle; drill point storage in handle; cap is released by turning knurled nut on lower end of handle and pulling handle down exposing indexed drill point magazine; ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.

Illustration from 1925 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 81 single spiral 10 1/2 inches 1925 1942

No. 100

Millers Falls automatic drill no. 100Automatic Drill

Opaque red penitent handle, handle trimmed with polished aluminum; other metallic components are nickel plated; sliding catch frees rotating indexed cap that releases one drill point at a time; split two-jaw chuck; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.

This is one of the so-called 'Buck Rogers' tools.

Illustration from 1949 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 100 single spiral 9 1/8 inches 1948 1968

No. 101

Goodell-Pratt reciprocating drill no. 101 Goodell-Pratt Reciprocating Drill

Mahogany-finished hardwood head and handle; head mounted on heavy steel quill running on ball bearings; polished steel spiral: bronze center nut; three-jaw chuck takes round-shank drills; no drills shipped with this tool.

Particularly adapted for boat-builders, elongated traveling handle facilitates use in horizontal position.

Illustration from 1936 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 101 double spiral 16 1/2 inches acquired 1931 1942

No. 108

Millers falls automatic drill no. 108 Automatic Drill

Nickel plated; knurled handle; spiral machine cut cut on hollow brass tube, bronze nut; drill point storage in handle; rotating indexed cap releases one drill point at a time; split two-jaw chuck; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.

Identical to the No. 185 but lacking drill point gauge below cap that illustrates the size of holes bored by drill point in each compartment.

Illustration from ca. 1940 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 108 single spiral 10 inches ca. 1940 1942

No. 170

Millers Falls automatic drill no. 170 Automatic Drill

  1. 1954 — handle is glossy red Tenite II plastic, plastic is ribbed to provide a sure grip; four compartments in handle for drill point storage; aluminum end cap on handle; bronze spiral runs in bronze nut; non-aluminum metallic parts are nickel plated; quick-action ball-type chuck releases bit with slight forward pressure of thumb; shipped with four dimple-shanked drill points.
  2. 1970 — handle is die cast and painted red.

An inexpensive drill intended for homeowner use. Sold as a Millers Falls V-Line (Value Line) product from 1956 to 1960.

Illustration from 1955 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 170 single spiral 10 1/4 inches 1954 1979

No. 180

Millers Falls automatic boring tool no. 180 Automatic Boring Tool

  1. 1914 — nickel plated; knurled handle; drill point storage in handle; rotating indexed cap releases one drill point at a time; ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.
  2. 1922 — catalog notes brass spiral with bronze nut.

Identical to No. 79 save that handle is metallic. Referred to as an 'push drill' with 1917 catalog and an 'automatic drill' in 1925.

Manufactured by Millers Falls as of 1931.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 180 single spiral 10 1/2 inches 1914 1934

No. 185

Goodell-Pratt automatic drill no. 185 Automatic Drill

  1. 1931 — nickel plated; knurled handle; spiral machine cut cut on hollow brass tube, spiral runs in bronze nut; drill point storage in handle; rotating indexed cap releases one drill point at a time; drill point gauge below cap illustrates size of holes bored by drill point in each compartment, split two-jaw chuck; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.
  2. 1964 — re-introduced with quick-action ball-type chuck that releases bit with slight forward pressure of thumb;shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.
  3. 1975 — end cap is now plastic.

A handy drill originally introduced by the the Goodell-Pratt Company and referred to as "Mr. Punch." Manufactured by Millers Falls as of 1931. Replaced by No. 185A in 1944; re-introduced in 1964.

Illustration from 1936 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 185 (first) single spiral 10 inches acquired 1931 1942
No. 185 (second) single spiral 10 inches 1964 after 1981

No. 185A

Millers falls automatic drill No. 185A Automatic Drill

  1. 1949 — nickel plated; knurled handle; spiral machine cut cut on hollow brass tube,spiral runs in bronze nut; drill point storage in handle; rotating indexed cap releases one drill point at a time; drill point gauge below cap illustrates size of holes bored by drill point in each compartment; ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.
  2. 1957 — quick-action ball-type chuck releases bit with slight forward pressure of thumb

Identical to the original No. 185 save for its ball-type chuck. In 1964, the No. 185A was renumbered, once again becoming the No. 185, and the ball-type chuck was retained.

Illustration from 1949 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 185A single spiral 10 inches by 1949 1963

No. 188

Goodell-Pratt automatic drill no. 188Goodell-Pratt Automatic Drill

Black Bakelite handle, polished aluminum band beneath rotating Bakelite cap, other metallic surfaces nickel plated; drill point storage in handle; pressing small button releases rotating cap exposing one drill at a time; split two-jaw chuck; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.

Replaced by No. 188A.

Illustration from 1936 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 188 single spiral 9 5/8 inches acquired 1931 1937

No. 188A

Automatic drill no. 188AAutomatic Drill

Black Bakelite handle, metallic band and knurled washer at lower end of handle; polished aluminum band beneath rotating aluminum cap; non-aluminum surfaces nickel plated; drill point storage in handle; pressing small button releases rotating cap exposing one drill at a time; split two-jaw chuck; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.

Illustration from 1938 catalog. Formerly No. 188.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 188A single spiral 9 5/8 inches 1937 1960

No. 248

Millers Falls boring tool no. 248 Automatic Boring Tool

Nickel plated; knurled handle; brass spiral; bronze nut; drill point storage in handle; pressing small catch releases rotating cap exposing one drill at a time; ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.

Illustration from 1929 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 248 single spiral 10 1/2 inches 1927 1935

No. 445

Millers Falls automatic drill no. 445 Automatic Drill

Nickel plated; cocobolo handle;brass spiral; spiral runs in bronze nut; ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.

Illustration from 1925 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 445 single spiral 10 1/2 inches 1925 1933

No. 800

Millers Falls boring tool no. 800 Push Drill

Nickel plated; knurled handle; steel spiral; spiral runs in bronze nut; drill point storage in handle; cap is released by pressing a small plunger and pulling handle down exposing indexed drill point magazine; ball-type chuck; shipped with eight dimple-shanked drill points.

Illustration from 1922 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 800 single spiral 10 1/2 inches 1922 1925

No. 809

Goodell-Pratt automatic drill no. 809 Goodell-Pratt Automatic Drill

Nickel plated; knurled handle; drill point storage in handle; pressing small button releases rotating cap exposing one drill at a time; drill point gauge below cap illustrates size of holes bored by drill point in each compartment; split two-jaw chuck; shipped with eight fluted-shank drill points.

A small drill sometimes referred to as "Mr. Punch Junior."

Illustration from 1936 catalog.

Model No. Type Length Start Date End Date
No. 809 single spiral 7 1/2 inches acquired 1931 1942