Do you own a HAND impact driver

[jjjrmx5]

Kind of a kooky thread.....We could do this with any tool known to man.

I have one too!!! Weeeeeeeeee!!!!

But in this case, the hand impact is quite useful.

Again, I'll go back to the brake rotor hold down screw.
Hand screwdriver is not capable of undoing a seized screw on the rotor. Hand impact (sometimes with some heat on the screw prior) witl get that sucker loose in a second.

Only other option is to break out the drill, drill the head of the screw off, remove rotor, break out the torch and heat seized screw body and then remove remaining threaded portion of screw body from wheel hub with vice grips.

A whack with one tool not only saves you time, it keeps you from using 3 other tools.

THAT don't sound silly and cockamamey to me.

BTDT x1000

 

[bobemmerich]

I have a cheap one, it works well but I don't use it much.

^^This^^.
I don't get to use mine much either, but when I need it, I'm glad I have it (Door striker post, Stubborn rusty screw, etc...)

 

[Matt472]

Ive got one, made by Proto. I picked it up on the Mac truck if I'm not mistaken. I don't use it very often but its extremely useful when I do. Like everyone has said rotor screws are what it gets used on 90% of the time.

 

[Kurt4440]

I have owned and used a Craftsman impact driver for ~ 30 years. It is a great tool. Has anyone tried the Vessel 980 Megadora Impacta?
http://www.levelchrome.com/Vessel-9...IS-2-Hand-Held-Impact-Screwdriver-_p_172.html

 

[03protege]

I have owned and used a Craftsman impact driver for ~ 30 years. It is a great tool. Has anyone tried the Vessel 980 Megadora Impacta?
http://www.levelchrome.com/Vessel-9...IS-2-Hand-Held-Impact-Screwdriver-_p_172.html

Now that is pretty cool!

 

[mhm993]

Yup. Use mine occassional to remove brake rotor screws. You don't actually need the screws installed, but you DO need to remove them.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I haven't seen an Eagle brand mentioned--okay or cheap ****? After reading this thread I ended up hitting Ebay and buying this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200826738890&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:3160

I knew there was such a thing but didn't know the name, and have wanted one for years. Thanks, GJ guys!

Edit: He accepted my offer for $22 plus shipping, so definitely cheap enough assuming either one works.

 

[sharkytm]

must for honda brake rotors.

This is the truth. I don't reinstall the screws, but a hand impact is the ONLY way to get them out. VIM sells JIS bits for them too, as the P3 that comes with needs to be ground to fit correctly.

 

[dieselmike]

yep, use it for door strikers.

 

[TwetoGAC]

Used mine just a few days ago.

 

[gbh]

I have owned and used a Craftsman impact driver for ~ 30 years. It is a great tool. Has anyone tried the Vessel 980 Megadora Impacta?
http://www.levelchrome.com/Vessel-9...IS-2-Hand-Held-Impact-Screwdriver-_p_172.html

I want one of those!

When I went searching for it I found another Vessel impact driver that caught my eye.

 

[RCStocker]

I have had 50 of them through the years. If you use good tips they all work abou the same. They are not expensive and I think everyone should have one. When you need one you need it.

 

[2oolhound]

I have owned and used a Craftsman impact driver for ~ 30 years. It is a great tool. Has anyone tried the Vessel 980 Megadora Impacta?
http://www.levelchrome.com/Vessel-9...IS-2-Hand-Held-Impact-Screwdriver-_p_172.html

The levelchrome doesn't say if it's reversible but then it is a little more specifically dedicated than the basic ones.

 

[Outlawmws]

I have 4 of them, two Taiwan imports and two made in the USA that I got in a couple of big toolbox buys this past season. Use them a lot on MC cases and often enough in other places that it earned one a place in the road box.

 

[Slupie]

I own one, rarely used but a life saver when needed. I bought it years ago when I was doing brakes on Acura TL.

 

[TireTracks]

You don't touch motorcycles unless you have one.

The only way to removed a playdo phillips screw from an aluminum case without ruining everything.

 

[Conductor562]

I found a Proto version for under $50. Guess what I'm going to do?

 

[JASTECH]

Mooman, So other then checkered knurling the C'man & Snappy the same? Oh well, the VIM 5/16 bits work on all them. I have never used 6" bits in it but maybe a need someday.

 

[mattygee]

This is the "powered" version which does the same thing, but allows a little more finesse.

 

[sensei_]

yes i own one, but it doesnt get used very often. however, if i ever need one at least i know i wont have to run to my local hardware store wasting time.

 

[Rickster]

I have one and use it rarely. I always pick them up at estate sales and they seem to sell OK.

 

[wxm]

I have both 3/8 Matco and 1/2 cman. Used them a lot the keep small project small. My problem is to find good replacement bits. I'd stay away from HF bits, just crack one the other day when I was rebuilding the starter motor.

 

[Ratchet.]

I have two, a cheap one that I've had for years, and I recently got a second hand Vessel one (Japanese made) which is really nice (they're rather expensive new hence me getting it secondhand)

To be honest you cant really go wrong with the driver itself as even my cheap $15 one worked perfectly, but make sure to buy good bits, the cheap ones i got with my driver shattered when i used it the first time

Mostly I have used them on posidriv/philips screws used on door hinges and strikers etc on older cars, they don't see so much use on modern stuff, but on the odd occasion you need them there a life saver.

 

[Mustangmike]

They are surprisingly useful in removing licence plate screws.

 

[jeffk14]

This is the "powered" version which does the same thing, but allows a little more finesse.

That tool, when used with an air hammer, is a life saver in aviation or anywhere else stubborn screws are found. Beats the absolute heck out of the manual "beat-on" type being discussed here..

 

[JoeHelms]

I have a getting-old (>10 yrs) one from Craftsman. I've only used it like 3 times in the last 3 years maybe, but it's been invaluable each of those times.

Nothing worse than turning a 5 min maintenance job into a trip to the hardware store to replace a stupid-size screw that I don't have on hand but destroyed because I couldn't get it out.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Does anyone know who makes a good, or at least acceptable, set of bits (3/8" drive)? Thanks.

 

[Nor*Cal]

Had to remove a transmission cable on my houseboat's outdrive while still in the water. Hand impact was the perfect tool for the job.

 

[RV77]

I own 3-4.. Invest in good bits versus the driver.

Wouldn't be caught without one, they are life savers.

Im with Hiball...they make easy work on stripped out screws and help you keep your sanity


Snap-on has very good bits in 3/8

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Thanks, Creeping-Death.

 

[Spam16v]

Use one all the time on brake rotor screws.

 

[cnc-me]

If you work on any (older) Japanese motorcycles they are a must have.
Had 2 or 3 of the cheapies, ended up with a new Snap-On, bought it for half-price
through a friend.

 

[quattrojon]

I have two, a Lisle and a Koken attack driver. Both work very well, but the attack driver seems higher quality to me.

 

[wesalexleft]

A buddy and I lived on an old boat for a few years and this thing was a godsend for working on it. Most of the screws were brass and very soft. The boat was assembled with large, brass, standard slotted screws, and there was no way of getting them out without stripping the heads unless you had one of these to break them free and get them moving.

 

[Major Ramifications]

They are absolutely essential if you fool with older motorcycles or outboard motors.
Sears still sells them for $25
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-impact-driver/p-00947641000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[Brad54]

Restoration work... It's a MUST. I've used it to remove philips fasteners on rocker sill plates that were so corroded there was only a trace of the "x" in the head. Out like a charm.
I've also got a clutch-head bit from my dad's tool box that has saved my *** on my Suburban. The rear barn door stop-slides at the top would NOT come out any other way. They were so stuck in there, I had to hammer them the entire way out, not just break them lose.

I only use it a few times a year, but when you need it, NOTHING else will get the job done.

-Brad