Broke 2 SO phillips impacts....?

[SantaAna12]

Had a stainless fastener away from power today....got three out of four bolts out OK. The fourth was a stainless phillips screw.....I used a #4 Snap On phillips bit (socket) on my SO manual impact and gave it a mid range smack....nothing. Loaded up a bit (32oz Mac hammer) and the bit shattered? Note: the first one was the older style black ones. I figured it had lived a long life....stuff happens. So...I tried my newer #3 (the copper color newer style)...it proceeded to shatter on the first smack. Looking for advice/experience here.....as I have removed many fasteners in the same manner....without breaking the bit. Usually between Kroil and heat I can remove most without (knock on wood) much ado. Or, I will twist the head off....or the threads will come out with the bolt/screw. I'm not quite sure what happened....so any ideas appreciated as my tool budget cannot afford hacking and whacking like this for long.

 

[bcradio]

Those should be covered under warranty for you. You are using them as intended and they failed. Try to find a snap-on dealer to exchange it.

 

[littletoes]

Yep, warranted, I say replace 'em. I think after much use, tools like those develop micro-fractures, and eventually any/every tool will give up the ghost.

Its sad, but sometimes we can't keep enough tools in stock for certain needed procedures.

I'd say maybe a soldering iron held to the screw head prior to "smacking" it with the impact, or maybe an air impact set on its lowest setting. I've also tapped on the head of the screw a bit with a hammer prior to trying to turn it. Just don't hit it too hard!

 

[scott0]

Working at a Honda dealership I go through a bunch of snap on #3 bits. All honda rotors are secured to the hub with 2 screws. Sometimes a brand new bit will break on the first hit, sometimes they last a month. I have found that the air hammer attachment is not as hard on the bits as the impact screwdriver is. My snap on driver warranties them no questions asked. He probably on average warranties 20 a week at my dealership.

 

[SantaAna12]

Good to know. I hear that the mid length sockets are on BOGO.....this might be a good time. Weird the timing on both though.

 

[Skin]

heat and an impact wrench. tease the trigger. The important thing is to do it first, not after the fastener or bit have become so mangled they dont fit properly.

 

[SantaAna12]

Thanks Skin. I had an aluminum alloy that the stainless fasteners were threaded into. No insert. I was (and am) not sure about how much heat to apply in these situations. I was reading this afternoon about butane pencil torches, and put one on my wish list.

 

[heyutokyo]

The warranty is awesome when it comes to this. I know from experience that your local SO salesman wont hassle you as much as he would for other products. I've returned about 3 or 4 just this year.

 

[up_in_the_air]

You need a wood pecker for your air hammer, few jabs with this should do it :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Man-Scr...287?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0547a18f

 

[SantaAna12]

Well. Got the warm and fuzzies after searching that one. Thanks Air.

 

[padronanniversary]

How do the woodpeckers actually work , I mean what advantage is that over a impact ?

 

[Skin]

How do the woodpeckers actually work , I mean what advantage is that over a impact ?

The blows are downward instead of sideways. Its the same principle as an impact driver. For rusted junk both are useful though an impact is easier to use. I really only value the downward blows when its steel going into cast aluminum where heat may of caused the threads to weld. Motorcycle engine casings are notorious for this, especially the japanese ones with phillips all over.

 

[up_in_the_air]

Shocks the **** out of the screw and you can get a lot more leverage, used in aviation alot for de-panelling, that and a dab of valve grind paste in the screw head works a treat for stubborn screws - more powerful blows than an impact

 

[HaroRider]

Says it fits all .401 shank rivet guns.
Is that the same size as a standard air hammer?

I know those are great for removing frozen brake bleeders.

 

[up_in_the_air]

Yes .401 is standard size air hammer barrel

 

[HaroRider]

Thanks, I am definately getting one after watching this video.

Granted he had the room for it with the knuckle removed.
Plus that one is over $40

 

[RCRGarage]

Haven't had good luck with the bolt knocker, especially if the impact driver doesn't work. Time to weld a bolt to the fastener. Heat + turning power = empty hole.