impact screwdriver

Nonny · 2010-07-12T19:24:34+00:00

Harbor Freight sells one of those "tools you put in your toolbox and only get out rarely when all else has failed." It's called an impact screwdriver. They've been around forever, and the one I just got cost less than what I paid for one 55 years ago.What they are is a very heavy solid steel handle with a coarse pitched screw thread inside, so to speak. Inside the threaded area is a mated shaft with reversing toggle, and on the end of the shaft is a hex holder for various screwdriver bits. The tool is a heavy duty version of the Yankee drill we all remember. They have a socket wrench-type of shaft and apparently can also be used on bolts, but I've never tried that, since I have a pneumatic wrench that works well. Their best application is in loosening frozen screws, where an inward application of force and twisting motion is needed.To use the impact screwdriver, you place the appropriate bit in the holder and hold the screwdriver firmly while tapping on it with a hammer. The impact forces the bit into the screw, helping to prevent the head from stripping, while the coarse threads make the bit twist just a tad. Usually, that's enough to break loose a frozen screw if you're lucky, and you then follow up with a regular screwdriver to finish the job.The first one I had I bought as a teen to work on my motorcycle's engine and had it for around 40 years. During that 40 years, I probably had to use it a dozen times at the most. However, each and every time it saved the day for me. The one Harbor Freight sells appears to be a clone of my old one and I suspect it'll serve the purpose longer than I'll ever need.Nonny

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Steve B 16 years ago

I dont know what the difference is between Manual Impact and one of the new 18v impact drivers is, but they are labeled as an Impact Driver, Some are not big but all major cordless tool makers offer them and they are cheaper than many drills. I saw at sears several big and very heavy 24v inpact drivers by maybe Sears and Dewalt that looked like they could do any job on a car, and there are many more lighter duty units, lighter than drills for screws. For screws they surpass drills in heavy work like making decks. Popular Mechanics magazine just did a review of 9 LiIon Impact Drivers, but not the big ones I saw at Sears.

reply: A manual impact driver is driven by a hammer. An electric is driven by a motor. An electric drill with an impact setting is an electric impact wrench, not an electric impact driver. HTH.

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Steve B 16 years ago

Wrong.

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Bob F 16 years ago

And, an electric "impact driver" is unlikely to be of any use when an impact driver is needed.

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Bob F 16 years ago

Agree. Anyone who can say that doesn't have a clue what an impact driver does.

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Steve B 16 years ago

Right. They are two very distinct tools that work on two entirely different principles. Mr. Ransley was in error to compare the two. You MAY be able to remove some screws with an electric impact, but if it's really in there, all you will do is either strip it out or break the tip. The shock of the hammer, coupled with the twist at the moment of shock is what knocks the fastener loose. If one notices, the bits are black, indicating a hardened steel. It all happens in an instant, and only happens once per blow. If you are all lined up, and hit it right, it only takes one to two blows. What amazed me was the price of these little jewels versus the work they do, and do well.

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Steve B 16 years ago

Are you saying that about what an impact driver does, or that I say the statement is wrong?

If you are saying that putting a screwdriver bit in an electric impact is the same as a manual impact driver, I disagree with you.

If you are saying that someone who thinks they are the same and equal is wrong, then I agree with you.

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Bob F 16 years ago

I thought I was quite clear. I agreed with you, and commented on the previos claim.

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Steve B 16 years ago

"Bob F" wrote

Okay. Now I'm sure, too.

Steve

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Steve Barker 16 years ago

second that. One is totally different than the other.

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Tekkie® 16 years ago

Nonny posted for all of us...

AND your question is?

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Steve B 16 years ago

Were you born stupid, or did you just practice an awful lot?

Steve

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David Nebenzahl 16 years ago

On 7/15/2010 9:54 PM Steve B spake thus:

Either explanation will do; after all, this is the person (Mr. Techical know-it-all®, apparently) who posted

in another thread here.

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tnom 16 years ago

It's called a impact driver.

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Tekkie® 16 years ago

Steve B posted for all of us...

OK Steve Barfer please quote the question in the original post. You can't= =20 because there was none. It was just an undirected post on impact screwdrive= rs=20 and you and nebby think you are the worlds greatest experts on everything.

--=20 Tekkie Don't bother to thank me, I do this as a public service.

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Tekkie® 16 years ago

David Nebenzahl posted for all of us...

So a little levity isn't allowed here nebby? Sure beats the dumb situation= s=20 and useless drivel you post. You run out of pills?

--=20 Tekkie Don't bother to thank me, I do this as a public service.

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Steve Barker 16 years ago

i hope you're not referring to me. I am not Steve B.

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Steve B 16 years ago

OK Steve Barfer please quote the question in the original post. You can't because there was none. It was just an undirected post on impact screwdrivers and you and nebby think you are the worlds greatest experts on everything.

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Steve B 16 years ago

I don't even look like him.

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Nonnymus 16 years ago

Yes, my post was to inform folk, rather than to ask a question.

Nonny

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Steve B 16 years ago

The sober here caught that from the get go. We just chimed in with our experiences with this handy dandy tool. I guess some could not keep up.

Steve

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impact screwdriver

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