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Kenomac · 28-05-2017, 10:27

My 60 euro driver doesn't look any different than the Northern tool $12.95 driver.

Delancey · 28-05-2017, 10:34

TWO GUY JOB!

One guy holds the screwdriver with a pair of Channel Locks and applies back-out torque, the other guy taps the screwdriver with a hammer. Like an impact driver but much much more controlled. This technique WILL WORK! usually....

In your situation with an Allen head screw get either an Allen driver with a handle or a magnetic tipped holder that you can put the appropriate tip into.

Was taught this trick by a old aircraft mechanic. I had spent days with PB Blaster and heating with torches trying desperately not to strip the screw head on a thirty year old Harken roller curler that had never been serviced.

Very frustrated, at wits end, guy walks down the dock and starts chatting. Next thing I know screw is removed! Thank you kind stranger!

UNCIVILIZED · 28-05-2017, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delancey

TWO GUY JOB!

One guy holds the screwdriver with a pair of Channel Locks and applies back-out torque, the other guy taps the screwdriver with a hammer. Like an impact driver but much much more controlled. This technique WILL WORK! usually....

In your situation with an Allen head screw get either an Allen driver with a handle or a magnetic tipped holder that you can put the appropriate tip into.

Was taught this trick by a old aircraft mechanic. I had spent days with PB Blaster and heating with torches trying desperately not to strip the screw head on a thirty year old Harken roller curler that had never been serviced.

Very frustrated, at wits end, guy walks down the dock and starts chatting. Next thing I know screw is removed! Thank you kind stranger!

Great Tip! I'd forgotten this one.

Also, aren't there pastes which you can apply to screwdriver tips, & allen keys to enhance their grip on/in the head of a fastener? Or if not, might a bit of something akin to a non-slippery lapping compound help with this?

Delancey · 28-05-2017, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

Great Tip! I'd forgotten this one.

Also, aren't there pastes which you can apply to screwdriver tips, & allen keys to enhance their grip on/in the head of a fastener? Or if not, might a bit of something akin to a non-slippery lapping compound help with this?

Toothpaste?

Kenomac · 28-05-2017, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delancey

TWO GUY JOB!

One guy holds the screwdriver with a pair of Channel Locks and applies back-out torque, the other guy taps the screwdriver with a hammer. Like an impact driver but much much more controlled. This technique WILL WORK! usually....

In your situation with an Allen head screw get either an Allen driver with a handle or a magnetic tipped holder that you can put the appropriate tip into.

Was taught this trick by a old aircraft mechanic. I had spent days with PB Blaster and heating with torches trying desperately not to strip the screw head on a thirty year old Harken roller curler that had never been serviced.

Very frustrated, at wits end, guy walks down the dock and starts chatting. Next thing I know screw is removed! Thank you kind stranger!

That's what we'll do! The €60 impact drive (which hasn't worked so far), is going to be exchanged for a couple of Beta screwdriver sets.

Thanks

**a64pilot** · 28-05-2017, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delancey

Toothpaste?

No, Comet, Ajax, Bon-Ami etc.
Spit on the end of the screwdriver and dip it in the abrasive cleanser, works way better than diamond coated tips etc.

**a64pilot** · 28-05-2017, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipmac

I learned about them from a friend that was one of these can fix anything guys.

Have one that's probably 35 years old. Only problem I have to replace the bits occasionally, especially the flat head bits, and the ones in mine are hex but larger than standard hex driver bits.

Maybe time for a new one. Any recommendations on brands or models?

I hate to admit it, but I've had the same cheapo one for a long time, it's in a blue box just like the Northern tool one.
However for one to work you have to pre-load it by turning it pretty hard in the direction you want the screw to go, then smack it with a hammer, if you don't pre-load it, you will get very little if any turning motion.
Forgot to mention that, sorry Ken.

Oh and of course it will tighten and loosen, to get it to go the right way put it in the screw then push down and turn, think of it as reversing a socket wrench.
Turn it left to loosen and right to tighten of course, you will feel it slip and re-engage.

UNCIVILIZED · 28-05-2017, 12:21

Comments on super cooling the bolts with something akin to Freon, & then smacking them with a punch & hammer? Yes, I know, Freon & regulations, the Ozone Layer, etc. Plus you'd have to be careful not to maim the mast tube, but otherwise... Thoughts?

**a64pilot** · 28-05-2017, 13:19

If you want to try the freeze method, I bet Ken has a bicycle patch kit that uses a CO2 cartridge, turn it upside down to get the liquid it's cold.

With frozen bolts, you try everything. Sacrifice a chicken if that's your fancy. He is restrained from much heat though with the part being made of plastic

Kenomac · 28-05-2017, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I hate to admit it, but I've had the same cheapo one for a long time, it's in a blue box just like the Northern tool one.
However for one to work you have to pre-load it by turning it pretty hard in the direction you want the screw to go, then smack it with a hammer, if you don't pre-load it, you will get very little if any turning motion.
Forgot to mention that, sorry Ken.

Oh and of course it will tighten and loosen, to get it to go the right way put it in the screw then push down and turn, think of it as reversing a socket wrench.
Turn it left to loosen and right to tighten of course, you will feel it slip and re-engage.

Good Lord... now you tell me.

I'll try it again in the morning.

**weavis** · 28-05-2017, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Good Lord... now you tell me.

I'll try it again in the morning.

hahahaha!

Its like half a story because the experts do it all the time and forget some of it...

My favourite wuz an ole fella.. I asked him how tight I turned a bolt.. he looked me in the eye and said " a quarter turn before it snaps".

Kenomac · 28-05-2017, 14:02

Actually, I just tried pre loading the one I have and it can't be done. Preloaded in the correct direction, the spring snaps and switches direction. It seems impossible to preload with a turn. Or are you talking about minimal pressure? Because if I turn it like a screwdriver to the left, it bears down then changes direction.

OK now that I've messed with it for ten minutes, it appears as though the idiot who assembled this impact hammer put the L-R indicator in upside down, maybe it's an English tool. I'll try it again.

**a64pilot** · 28-05-2017, 14:11

No, you turn it left while pushing it in and it snaps and rotates quite a bit to the left, now it is ready to loosen a screw bolt whatever.
Now preload it quite a bit to the left, it will turn a little and may shorten itself a little and smack it with the hammer.
To be honest I have just been picking the thing up and doing it since I was 12, so I'm basing this off of memory and I don't have one here to check.
We are packing the house right now.