Impact Driver/Screwdriver

[jacksf]

Just want to thank whoever invented this gem of a tool. Today started to take apart the old carbs, every screw was rusted solid as were the little "thingy plates" between the individual carbs. I started to use a regular (good) screwdriver but realized that no matter how much penetrant I used, there was no way I could get those screws out without drilling 'em out.

Then I remembered I had the impact driver, looked up some of the hints on this forum in past posts, went to Sears to buy the correct #1 phillips bit.

All 16 screws came out as if they were greased. Took no time at all.

If you don't have this tool, get it. You will never regret it.

Jack

[81xsproject]

sounds like I need one.

[DiverRay]

Jack is correct. I've had at least one in my tool box since 1968. I've also used them on cars, when needed.
Ray

[xs650mike]

a necessary tool

I bought my first impact driver shortly after I got my first Japanese bike...'twas impossible to remove any phillips head screws without it. Even though they use a lot of allens on the later Japanese bikes you still need an impact driver for the phillips screws or you'll just tear 'em up.

[prometheus578]

Impact drivers are great, but limited in some uses; like the frozen screws on handlebar master cylinders. Hard to whack them without the cylinder spinning away. Best thing in my tool box for tough screws, before you strip the heads, is a small plastic bottle of some gunk from MAC tools. Is a liquid with small grits of carbide suspended in it. A drop on the tip o' the screwdriver and the screws come right out. Carbide bites into the screw and prevents the head from stripping and slipping out. If you don't want to give the MAC tool guy $10, you can just use rough valve lapping compound from any autoparts store. This has cut my screwdrilling jobs in half.

[bandet01]

thanks for that tip with the cutting compund and the inpact screwdriver is great but dont waste money on a cheap on they wont hold up

[petejw]

they are a great tool
couldnt of pulled my carbies apart
with out it,
tho the one i bought the bit wouldnt
fit into the driver, had to ground it slightly,
they dnt make tools like they used 2.
great tip 2 prom.

[LoserShoes]

And if your stuck someplace without an impact driver, you can sometimes whack the end of a screwdriver with a hammer while turning it with the other hand, and get stuck and gouged out screws out. Takes a little coordination to give the screwdriver a twist just as you hit it, but a little practice makes it easy.

Steve

[skids]

Damn, I wish I could remember to use that!

Originally posted by prometheus578
, you can just use rough valve lapping compound from any autoparts store. This has cut my screwdrilling jobs in half.

[prometheus578]

screwdriver tips

All screwsticks are not created equal. Found that out the hard way. Most of my tools are Craftsman, as I like the convenience of having the store down the street and not having to chase down a tool guy. My point is(pun intended), that a #2 screwdriver from Mac Tools will take out a screw where the one from Sears will just strip the head. Mac, and I presume Snap On, just cut the tips differently and they fit the slots better. Mac Tool #2 screwstick=$14, but WELL worth it.
Impact driver... don't go to Harbor Freight. You can actually watch the phillips fins twist when using it. If you want to save money though, you can get the impact from Harbor Fright, toss the bits, and then buy quality tips for it from the mobile tool guys.

[DiverRay]

I use the tips from Home Depo or Lowes. If you buy the "good" tips for the power tools, they will last about 40 to 60 screws.

Ray

[JWSanders]

The driver I picked up from Harbor Frieght has held up very well for me. Hasn't folded a tip yet, and I've had to use it quite a lot. Have pretty much taken the whole bike apart with it since getting it.

I even used it for the ehxaust bolts by just reversing the bit. Fit perfectly.

Can't complain for 3.99. Got it on sale (as if it could get much cheaper! ). It'll get another workout taking apart my parts bike. Even if I have to get new tips it's still a great buy to me.

[LoserShoes]

There are at least two different shape phillips slots, the one you want is JIS, I think stands for Japanese Industrial Standard. Fit much better in any phillips screw from Japan. Has something to do with the angle of slots.

Steve

[prometheus578]

Thanks, Loser Shoes

I knew there was something like/about that, but I couldn't recall the specifics.

[xs650mike]

JIS are also known as phirrips.