Holding a screw with cordless drill

[W_KY]

Guys,

This may be stupid question but I'm gonna go ahead and ask. What do ya'll find to be the best way to hold a long screw while working over your head? Here was the situation, I was holding a piece of wood up to the ceiling and trying to put a 2.5" screw through it. I had one hand holding the board and another holding the drill and its all above my head. I finally got it in but it was kind of the pain in the rear. Everything was wanting to wobble and its a good thing I didn't have to be too precise. I was wondering if any of ya'll had used something like this:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=74664-70-DW2055&lpage=none

Any comments on how well they work or other suggestions? I realize I could have marked it, started the screw on the ground and all that jazz but I prefer if I could just climb up and go.

--Jeff

 

[Hiball]

Guys,

This may be stupid question but I'm gonna go ahead and ask. What do ya'll find to be the best way to hold a long screw while working over your head? Here was the situation, I was holding a piece of wood up to the ceiling and trying to put a 2.5" screw through it. I had one hand holding the board and another holding the drill and its all above my head. I finally got it in but it was kind of the pain in the rear. Everything was wanting to wobble and its a good thing I didn't have to be too precise. I was wondering if any of ya'll had used something like this:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=74664-70-DW2055&lpage=none

Any comments on how well they work or other suggestions? I realize I could have marked it, started the screw on the ground and all that jazz but I prefer if I could just climb up and go.

--Jeff

Those enclosed drivers work fairly good and there priced so when they start to strip you can easily replace them without breaking the bank.

 

[Kurt4440]

I start the screw prior to placing the unsecured piece of wood in to position. Once the first screw is started it helps to hold the wood in place.

 

[The Rusty Gear]

Square head AKA Robertson scews stay on the bit pretty well.

 

[baugie]

Drill a pilot hole in the piece of wood first, then start the screw in the hole before positioning the wood.

 

[Fuzz]

Magnetic driver bit works for me.

 

[1320stang]

I use a nail gun.....

 

[Diablo]

Robertsons screws are key, and start the screw in the wood before you hold it up. Ive had tons of those bit holders but i hate the little bits they use i prefer just a 3 or 6 inch driver bit.

 

[HandyManny]

Square head AKA Robertson scews stay on the bit pretty well.

Robertsons screws are key, and start the screw in the wood before you hold it up. Ive had tons of those bit holders but i hate the little bits they use i prefer just a 3 or 6 inch driver bit.

I agree For wood screws and deck screws I will only use Robertson square drives. They are just so much easier to drive into decking and wood without caming out like philips do. Square drives just have given me far less trouble in wood.

 

[AllAboutTools]

makita 18 volt impact driver is the way to go...lowes has a 12 volt hitachi that ain't too bad either. not a real fan of the lower voltage bosch's or 18 volt hitachi. the makita is sweet though. we use 'em all the time to drive 3" screws in all kinds of awkward positions. be careful with 'em though...they're hard to tell when you're tightenin up...they'll just keep goin! you can tear some stuff up with 'em lol.

 

[kkline91]

Rusty Gear is so right as well as all these other people that said square.

I got them by mistake years ago and the hardware store, realized they were square when I got home, searched for a bit, and then realized why they are so better. they fit tight on the bit and don't fall out like normal screws. phillips is **** compared to square bit.

 

[KenB]

I use one of these:
http://power-tools.hardwarestore.co...holder/irwin-magnetic-screw-guide-281733.aspx

The collar slides out and keeps the screw from wobbling. Uses varous tips.


Ken

 

[64merc]

That's it, next time I need to buy some screws I'm going for the Robertson head ones. I've got to try them and see what all the hype is about. I hope it will solve my cam out issues.

 

[W_KY]

Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna pick up some square drive screws and give them a try, may even pick up one of those sleeve deal's as well (not like they are that expensive). I wonder why phillips is so prevalent if square drive are so much better (and I do agree they should work better).

 

[HandyManny]

That's it, next time I need to buy some screws I'm going for the Robertson head ones. I've got to try them and see what all the hype is about. I hope it will solve my cam out issues.

I don't think you will be disappointed. You still have to apply firm pressure when driving the screw, but the square drive will solve almost all of your cam-out issues.

One other trick I will offer up here to anyone who cares. If you ever come across a No.2 sized phillips screwhead that has been stripped out with a No.1 phillips driver tip. You may make the the problem worse by trying to remove it again with the proper No.2 sized phillips driver. Instead use a No.2 Roberson drive tip to remove it. The four corners of the No.2 square drive will fit in the cross slots of the stripped No.2 phillips head.

 

[kbs2244]

The spring style that KenB posted has worked for me for years.

For something you are never going to take apart the square heads are fine.
But I hate to find them when I come to remove something.
I never can find the bit and end up going to the store just to buy one.

 

[BackTracker]

Guys,



http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=74664-70-DW2055&lpage=none


--Jeff

I never take those off my drill, until they break..frequently. But still, they are cheap and worth every cent.

 

[river1]

I never take those off my drill, until they break..frequently. But still, they are cheap and worth every cent.

yup use one all the time

 

[Mattlt]

A small dab of grease on the head of the fastener will make it stick to the driver/bit.

Not recommended for all situations, but helpful in some.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I had read that Phillips head screws were designed to cam-out to prevent overtorqing. If that is the case, I would say they accomplished their objective with aplomb.

Those sliding sleeve screw holders like you posted are pretty good. Square drive is pretty damn sweet, too.

 

[mbatarga]

yep - sliding collar screw driver works fine for me.

 

[airdale]

Square drive has become pretty much the standard for deck screws for good reason - speed. The bits last longer too because they don't get cam out damage like Phillips. You will want to use the power bits that lock into the bit holder because when you pull back on the screw gun, the bit is snug in the screw head and the bit will come out if you use the little insert bits.

The only real drawback I have seen with square drive is that for removing them, you need to have room to get your driver lined up square with the screw - they don't have the wobble room that Phillips has. I guess painted over screws might be a pain since you would have to dig out the paint. That's about the only redeeming quality of slotted screws - old paint can be cleared out easier.