Best manual impact driver

[jacked_72]

Bringing back a dead thread...

I picked up a used Proto impact driver. It seems that it only rotates once per hit, goes to a neutral position after being struck and that you've got to reset it for each hit if you want it to rotate the screw. Is that the way the Proto driver works or is mine bad?

 

[impactsocket]

Craftsman manual impact driver.

 

[Finky198]

+1 on koken much nicer then any others I've ever used

 

[Kensgarage]

stanley,proto,mac and matco are all made buy the same company

Yeah and the Shelby GT500KR and the Pinto were made by the same company too.

Wear safety glasses with them whatever you choose.

 

[NoSloCoupes]

Well, i'll say that it wasn't me who bught a cheap one years ago, kept smacking the damn thing with nothing happening... no turning on impact. First time using one of these but i've seen how they worked.











Only to find out it doesn't turn on its own, have to turn it yourself...damnit.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

What happened to the Eagle and Vessel brands? I have both, after reading a thread here long ago. I got them on Ebay, and with limited use they have worked great.

 

[2oolhound]

Bringing back a dead thread...

I picked up a used Proto impact driver. It seems that it only rotates once per hit, goes to a neutral position after being struck and that you've got to reset it for each hit if you want it to rotate the screw. Is that the way the Proto driver works or is mine bad?

All mine stay either right or left where they've been set and don't have any neutral.

 

[knobby]

If you look for some of those old "el cheapo" ones in the blue steel cases some are made by vessel in japan and come with JIS cross point bits. Can be a real time saver if you are wrenching Asian metal.

 

[impactsocket]

Pick the bit that fits in the screw head tight, twist counter clock wise, then strike the back of the manual impact driver with a large hammer.

If you pick the bit that does fit in the screw head tight. In other words, if there is a little bit of play, you will end up destroying the phillips / flat head of the screw, then you will have to drill out the screw and use a screw extractor.

 

[Wakefield]

Pick the bit that fits in the screw head tight, twist counter clock wise, then strike the back of the manual impact driver with a large hammer.

If you pick the bit that does fit in the screw head tight. In other words, if there is a little bit of play, you will end up destroying the phillips / flat head of the screw, then you will have to drill out the screw and use a screw extractor.

In other words "lefty loosey" that is turn the barrel in the direction you want it to knock towards when the hammer hits?

 

[Krokodil]

Does anybody have the Beta 1295? Found one in a pawn shop this morning for a good price. Not sure of the COO. Think I might go and get it.

 

[1982fxr]

Bringing back a dead thread...

I picked up a used Proto impact driver. It seems that it only rotates once per hit, goes to a neutral position after being struck and that you've got to reset it for each hit if you want it to rotate the screw. Is that the way the Proto driver works or is mine bad?

yes you have to reset after each hit or it's not ''loaded'' for the hammer blow. can load it either direction, that's why the middle is neutral...

 

[Steinmetz]

Proto.

 

[george4]

If you look for some of those old "el cheapo" ones in the blue steel cases some are made by vessel in japan and come with JIS cross point bits. Can be a real time saver if you are wrenching Asian metal.

Don't know about "el cheapo" comment but I have been beating on my Vessel in a blue case for at least 30 years with no problem. Came with both JIS and regular phillips.

 

[csonni]

Visiting an old thread here. Just purchased the Tekton 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive for under $50 CA. I got them just for getting out of a pinch. For the price, I can’t go wrong, especially with decent reviews. Can’t see spending more than $100 for what I may need it for. Here’s the link:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000NPUJYE/?tag=atomicindus04-20

 

[RX-KING]

Irimo brand manual impact driver, made in spain. Am happy with it.

Sent from my LG-US998 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I had a mit brand now they uped there quality and is now tecton but i left it with my buddy that kept borrowing it. I ended up with a hf brand with craftsman bits and it works good. I also have one from a yard sale that probably came in a milk crate bundle of tools. Don’t waist $ on the one with a rubber handle. I agree in the good bits is what matters most. This is the one i have https://m.harborfreight.com/impact-screwdriver-set-with-case-37530.html

 

[Lasu]

Wera, works ok

 

[pizza]

+1 on koken attack driver. best i've seen.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8234718#post8234718

 

[HenryAZ]

You have to pull the black cap off the end to use the square drive.

I've had my Craftsman for over 30 years, and never knew this until this thread popped up.

 

[DFB]

^^^

I also have the Craftsman one AND for at least that long too

Don't recall the last time I used it though

 

[uscarry45]

Buy a proto on eBay and don’t look back

 

[pizzabooty]

Wera, works ok

replying to this super old thread, how do you like the wera? i was eyeing up a gedore or a wera, and i love my current wera tools, but couldnt really find any information.

 

[pizzabooty]

Gedore K1900-013

i know it's a long shot but how you liking the gedore? trying to decide gedore vs wera.

 

[F-22]

I don't think you'd go wrong with either. Imo Wera tools seem a bit more portable (thor in the car and it won't rattle around or damage stuff) with the textile cases, while the Gedore comes in a plastic or metal case that will be easier to stay clean in a workshop compared to a textile one.

 

[pizzabooty]

I don't think you'd go wrong with either. Imo Wera tools seem a bit more portable (thor in the car and it won't rattle around or damage stuff) with the textile cases, while the Gedore comes in a plastic or metal case that will be easier to stay clean in a workshop compared to a textile one.

Thanks for the reply!
I did notice that the wera one only has the 5/16" hex driver, so i'm leaning more towards gedore just for the versatility factor.

 

[driftpin]

If you say you 'work on motorcycles,' and you don't own or use a manual impact driver when you're in the garage, I question what you say. TRUTH

Here are a few I've got over the years. The oldest (middle) is 51+ years old, bought from the local Honda motorcycle dealership in SW MI. I always remind myself some designs are 'hand-pinchers,' depending upon how you hold 'em. Yes to pre-loading the tool in the direction you want to go. Yes to buying the best impact bits you can find. Yes to them (tips) eventually failing, so keep spares on-hand.

Yes to HenryAZ being nominated by me for bravery in revealing lack of knowledge about the construction and disassembly of his impact driver.

 

[pizzabooty]

If you say you 'work on motorcycles,' and you don't own or use a manual impact driver when you're in the garage, I question what you say. TRUTH

Here are a few I've got over the years. The oldest (middle) is 51+ years old, bought from the local Honda motorcycle dealership in SW MI. I always remind myself some designs are 'hand-pinchers,' depending upon how you hold 'em. Yes to pre-loading the tool in the direction you want to go. Yes to buying the best impact bits you can find. Yes to them (tips) eventually failing, so keep spares on-hand.

Yes to HenryAZ being nominated by me for bravery in revealing lack of knowledge about the construction and disassembly of his impact driver.

Good insight. Any particular bit manufacturer you'd recommend?

 

[driftpin]

Well, the S-O should be good, but pricey. I used to buy Craftsman, when Sears was open by me. The local Ace Hardwares carry Craftsman, but depending upon the store sq. footage, they may not have replacements hanging on the walls in blister packs, you might have to order them to be delivered to your local store because home delivery will be more than the individual bits cost. For my hobby uses (retired, not a pro. mechanic) I usually order a few of each type. That would be, impact phillips #2, #3, and med. & large slot heads.

Here's one set I recently purchased a pair of, VIM. They perform with vigor!



Don't even think of buying a non-impact tip, thinking, "well, I'll just not hit it that hard!" Waste of time, waste of $, & a waste of a tool, improperly-used.

I'll also contribute that anytime you're using a striking tool, wear safety glasses! I'd probably be blind as a sun-staring septuagenarian if I didn't wear some-sort of lenses using impact tools or rotary grinding tools without eyewear.

 

[pizzabooty]

I might as well start a new thread at this point lol, all these replies on a thread originally from 2013 Thanks for the info!

The snap-on driver with bits definitely costs a pretty penny but the driver alone is not too bad. I have a few 3/8" drive socket bits from craftsman already, was thinking maybe i could just use those on the end of the driver? (see attached pic) Then i could get away with not buying the full expensive SO set.

 

[driftpin]

was thinking maybe i could just use those on the end of the driver?

Nooooo!!!!

Don't ignore my prior post:
Don't even think of buying a non-impact tip, thinking, "well, I'll just not hit it that hard!" Waste of time, waste of $, & a waste of a tool, improperly-used.

If you do ignore that advice your results are guaranteed to be the first word of that illustrious brand,

'SNAP' ON​

 

[RTM]

There are several more current threads on this topic, with Vessel and Lisle in the running. My Vessel is 40 plus years old. The retainer spring in the square to hex adapter broke, so I bought new bits and adapter from Jawco.

 

[seber]

There are several more current threads on this topic, with Vessel and Lisle in the running. My Vessel is 40 plus years old. The retainer spring in the square to hex adapter broke, so I bought new bits and adapter from Jawco.

Years ago you could buy the retainer springs. I bought a bag of them. I don't remember how many in a bag but they all broke eventually. I still use it but there is no bit retention any more.

 

[pizzabooty]

Nooooo!!!!

Don't ignore my prior post:
Don't even think of buying a non-impact tip, thinking, "well, I'll just not hit it that hard!" Waste of time, waste of $, & a waste of a tool, improperly-used.

If you do ignore that advice your results are guaranteed to be the first word of that illustrious brand,

'SNAP' ON​

the warning was right in front of me, yet i failed to take heed. i will be sure to keep it in mind.

 

[ZRX61]

If you say you 'work on motorcycles,' and you don't own or use a manual impact driver when you're in the garage, I question what you say. TRUTH

No longer needed on Kaw's since they started using 8mm head M6 bolts on the engine covers.

 

[426 HEMI]

I have used many different brands over the years, the Koken Attack Driver is by far the best I have used

 

[F-22]

I got some 20 year old generic chinese impact driver, and it never failed me. The bits are totally ****** but the driver works as it should, basically whenever it does not remove the screw it's cause it snaps off the head, I don't think I've ever rounded a screw head with it.

So cheap impact drivers can be ok but you definitely want quality bits.

 

[pizzabooty]

A quick update, i picked up one of these at a pawn shop today. No brand markings, bu it was sold as a mac (don't think that's the case)*. It seems to be very close-looking to a vessel, but it doesn't say anything on the driver itself.

The 2 philips bits are either bent or broken, so i'll definitely be buying more, but otherwise it seems in fairly good condition. The drive still rotates nicely and everything feels solid, but i haven't yet had a chance to test it out.


*It actually was originally part of a set of 2 items, one of which seems to have been a mac ah600 air hammer, so i believe that's why it was listed as a mac. The pair was originally $100 but since this was the only remaining item, they knocked it down to $50. Still probably overspent, but hopefully it's a quality tool.

 

[WWheeler]

Looks like a Cummins Mack Impact Driver to me, so when it was sold as "Mac" it might not have been all that far off.
I might be wrong but I always thought Mac impact drivers were made by Lisle.

 

[Steve_P]

I have one from the mid 80s, from HF, that's identical to the above- IIRC Taiwan made, and it was also sold under many names over the decades. I believe it's a copy of the Vessel. Mine has worked fine for 30 years but it's really beat up, so I bought a Koken Attack Driver with the rubber grip, and it is sooooo nice. Yes, they both get the job done, but...