Buffalo impact driver

[bluedog225]

Another Restore find I’d like to salvage. I like bringing these old tools back into service. It doesn’t rotate when compressed. The mechanism seems pretty rough when trying to rotate it to forward and reverse. Maybe roughly cast.

This is as far as I can disassemble it. I managed to get the compression ring off. But this is as far as it will go. The mechanism is still under spring pressure. It will compress but not release. I’m careful not to point it at my face…

I may have to take it up to the place and stick it in the vice so I can try a little more aggressively. It also occurs to me. I might just lube up the inside and put those ball bearings back in and see if it functions better.

It’s possible there’s something busted inside that’s preventing the piston from releasing.

Any ideas on how to get this apart?

Thanks

 

[The Cobbler]

no help on the taking apart, but by the looks of the hammer face, it's very well used.
I would try soaking it in transmission fluid or some other thin oil to see if anything frees up.
my gut feeling is it's toast

 

[Metallitubby]

I would try soaking it in transmission fluid

I would do the same.

 

[bluedog225]

Will do. Thanks

Pro tip-when taking the wife’s Tupperware, take the lid as well. Fewer questions later.

 

[lund]

Will do. Thanks

Pro tip-when taking the wife’s Tupperware, take the lid as well. Fewer questions later.

Ha! Some types of transmission fluid stinks to high heaven: can smell like vomit. I suspect it is better to have them toast.

 

[JoeLee1]

I have one exactly like that but mine is made by Vessel. I bought it back in the 70's.
I'm guessing what you have is a Chinese copy.
You might find some info on repairs here

https://www.vesseltoolsusa.com/product/screwdriver/detail/246001.

Joe...

 

[zendriver]

I had one almost NIB (Metal and paper), used once decades ago.

Tried to use it a couple years ago having the same problems as the OP, Thought it needed some lube, disassembled about as far and gave up, pitching it the scrap pile. I found the metal box recently.

Good luck sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[bluedog225]

It’s soaking now. Worst case, it’s a stout 3/8 driver.

I will open it up all else fails. Just to see.

 

[toolmiser]

I also say soak it, time is your friend. I'm talking a month or two. I am not usually that patient, but time will help.

 

[JoeLee1]

I had one almost NIB (Metal and paper), used once decades ago.

Tried to use it a couple years ago having the same problems as the OP, Thought it needed some lube, disassembled about as far and gave up, pitching it the scrap pile. I found the metal box recently.

Good luck sorry I can't be of more help.

I checked mine today and it works fine and I haven't used it in several years.
It must be the way these things are being stored. The internals are all pretty loose fitting.
I don't see how they could freeze up unless they got really rusty inside.


Joe...

 

[Kscardsfan]

Will do. Thanks

Pro tip-when taking the wife’s Tupperware, take the lid as well. Fewer questions later.

I learned my lesson as a young man with this kind of thing, so I went to the dollar store and got my own selection of Tupperware to throw parts in. I also have some thrift store/garage sale pots and pans I use for soaking parts etc.

 

[JoeLee1]

Another Restore find I’d like to salvage. I like bringing these old tools back into service. It doesn’t rotate when compressed. The mechanism seems pretty rough when trying to rotate it to forward and reverse. Maybe roughly cast.

This is as far as I can disassemble it. I managed to get the compression ring off. But this is as far as it will go. The mechanism is still under spring pressure. It will compress but not release. I’m careful not to point it at my face…

I may have to take it up to the place and stick it in the vice so I can try a little more aggressively. It also occurs to me. I might just lube up the inside and put those ball bearings back in and see if it functions better.

It’s possible there’s something busted inside that’s preventing the piston from releasing.

Any ideas on how to get this apart?

Thanks

An ultrasonic cleaning may help loosen it up.

Joe...

 

[john.k]

I still got one I bought to work on Harleys and Indians I bought for $20............thats a long time ago !

 

[JoeLee1]

I still got one I bought to work on Harleys and Indians I bought for $20............thats a long time ago !

That's what I paid for mine. Bought it at the local Yamaha dealer in the early 70's.

Joe......

 

[john.k]

Mines made in Hungary ........it comes apart by removing a retaining ring and driving out the cross pin that works it.

 

[Steve_P]

I have one that looks like that as well. A 1980s Taiwan copy of Vessel that I got from HF. Mine is beat on, but not as bad as that one.

 

[bluedog225]

This one is Taiwan as well. it is a little beat on. As designed. will continue to soak and see what happens. Will also take up to the vice later and work it over.

 

[zendriver]

I checked mine today and it works fine and I haven't used it in several years.
It must be the way these things are being stored. The internals are all pretty loose fitting.
I don't see how they could freeze up unless they got really rusty inside.


Joe...

I don't think it was rust, not a spec anywhere looked like it was used once, literally brand new.

Something was jammed inside IMO, but I gave up on the crappy Taiwanese tool, I paid maybe $6 (maybe from JC Whitney or Homier) Went for a Tekton to get the job done, probably never even use it again.

Hopefully the OP will get his fixed.