Dinky Little Slotted Driver Blues

[metaldad]

I had to disconnect wiring in a pair of starters. All wiring landed on terminal strips. Seems that the starters were wired by 2 different guys. The wiring in the right side pair of strips, both starters, were barely tight. The wiring terminals on the left side were omg, tightened by Bruno The Power Lifter.
Couldn't use my standard 1/8'' blade to get into the block. Too big.
Hey! I'll get a chance to use my new Craftsman multi blade micro screwdriver #41706.
Ruined it on the 1st screw. Had a Klein # 607-3. Ruined it. Shouldn't have used the Channellocks on them. Wound up cleaning out the electrical supply house next door of their inventory of 2. Ruined both. (damaged the blades on all 3, with my bare hands, I must be strong.) Could not loosen any of the terminals, thank goodness there was only a dozen wires.
So, I cut the wiring at the blocks, I'll have to get a more better driver.
Picked up a couple of Menard's Master Force (Pratt- Read) mini driver sets today. Hope these will work next week.
Pic of the terminal strip. Nothing fancy.

 

[Kev442]

Bent my brand new WF Cman the other day without even trying. Must of bought the Limited Edition Cardboard Series by accident.

Let me know how Pratt Reed works out.

 

[stroked80z28]

Did your 1/8" driver have a cabinet tip? Klein makes a terminal block screwdriver with a standard size handle, I have one and I like it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058I6VNE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mickey O]

What you need is a good hollow ground gunsmith screwdriver, they work great for those terminal block.

 

[jayrush13]

I have done HVAC controls for a while now. The best terminal screw driver i have found is a Jonnesway. It came free in a boiler i hooked up, I found out later they sell them at fastenal. Mine is a 1/8" but i sanded down the sides a little to get rid of the taper and make it fit the terminals better

 

[jeffmoss26]

Do you have this Klein terminal block screwdriver?
http://www.brewcitytools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/screwdrivers/klein-612-4.htm

 

[bart1]

I'd try a Wiha if possible.

http://www.wihatools.com/300seri/307serie.htm

 

[Steevo]

I have an old Bell System screwdriver (circa 1974) that I always use for those type of screws. I hope it never wears out or breaks, because I'll never find another one.

 

[metaldad]

What you need is a good hollow ground gunsmith screwdriver, they work great for those terminal block.

how many you got?

Do you have this Klein terminal block screwdriver?

nope, i'll have to check into that one

I have done HVAC controls for a while now. The best terminal screw driver i have found is a Jonnesway. It came free in a boiler i hooked up, I found out later they sell them at fastenal. Mine is a 1/8" but i sanded down the sides a little to get rid of the taper and make it fit the terminals better

Mickey O should know the Fastenal on 64 east of 53. Place has alot of empty shelves.

 

[Dustball]

We use Wiha screwdrivers at work and they hold up very well on our panels.

 

[metaldad]

Finished job today.
Pratt Read (Master Force - Menard's ) worked well, except for the dinky small handle. Driver is M237-7753, 1/8 X 2 1/4. Sold in set # 237-7924.
I also picked up a Klein #612-4. This is the tool needed. There's enough of a handle to get a grip of.
Also acquired that S-K set that's in the 'Hot Deals' section. The expert2 5/32X5, #83540, handle doesn't grip well, and the blade was a hair big. Didn't want to alter it, due to the fact of the performance of the other 2.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Glad you got something that worked. You will like the Klein terminal block driver!!
I have had similar problems with the 3-48 machine screws that hold the tailpieces on mortise cylinders. A pocket clip driver will usually work, if the screws are not torqued in or have loctite on them. What I did was take a flathead insert bit and grind it down so it's just the right size, and put it in one of my magnetic drivers. Works every time!

 

[metaldad]

Glad you got something that worked. You will like the Klein terminal block driver!!
I have had similar problems with the 3-48 machine screws that hold the tailpieces on mortise cylinders. A pocket clip driver will usually work, if the screws are not torqued in or have loctite on them. What I did was take a flathead insert bit and grind it down so it's just the right size, and put it in one of my magnetic drivers. Works every time!

Thanks for the mention of the Klein, Jeff. I neglected to type that, I apologize. Had to go to quite a few supply houses to find it, in stock.

 

[Jeff]

I prefer the tips on PB Swiss slotted drivers:

 

[rockchucker]

Maybe somebody had a Bit on a small Impact Driver to install them. If this is the case I would find a small Bit or make your own that can be inserted into a small Impact Driver. Nothing like an Impact for breaking stuff loose. I would bet it could have helped.

Just a thought.

 

[gbick]

I checked the Wiha site, and am smitten by the Drive Loc screwdriver set. But OUCH! the price! Does anybody have an opinion on them? Thanks. Greg.