Hand impact tool vs cordless impact driver

[MikeH]

I have broken (well, twisted into a spiral, so useless but not actually broken yet) one of the phillips bits for my old Craftsman hand impact tool. Apparently they don't sell individual bits, so I won't be able to warranty it.
My question is: Is this still a necessary tool in this day and age, or has it been replaced by the cordless impact? I have a cordless impact driver; should I just use that where I've been using my hand impact for the last 20 years. (Which is on brake discs, I'm not sure if I've ever used it on anything else.)
Educate me-- (1) buy a replacement bit on Amazon or somewhere
(2) just use the cordless impact
(3) what else, if anything, do y'all use these things for?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[nicks78camaro]

Hand impact is a requirement for stuck rotor screws, a cordless impact will strip them easily, you need the downward hit in combination with the twist of the hand impact

 

[Shiftless]

Nick is right. Like he said, the downward force not only keeps the bit engaged, but the downward impact helps to shock and loosen the fastener. I use my hand impact on the screws that fasten vise jaws to the towers.
Don't forget to use penetrating oil.

 

[sk farmer]

find a decent auto parts store. they should be able to source bits (lisle quite likely) for your impact driver.

yes the hand impact is still a valuable tool. it does a job no other tool will. as said, the downward impact force combined with rotation is the only way some stubborn fasteners will move. don't forget, hand impacts will often accept a 3/8 or 1/2 impact socket as well, allowing the use of sockets or an extension with your bits

 

[MikeH]

find a decent auto parts store. they should be able to source bits (lisle quite likely) for your impact driver.

yes the hand impact is still a valuable tool. it does a job no other tool will. as said, the downward impact force combined with rotation is the only way some stubborn fasteners will move. don't forget, hand impacts will often accept a 3/8 or 1/2 impact socket as well, allowing the use of sockets or an extension with your bits

Sounds like I'm definitely getting a replacement #3 bit.
Will an parts store be cheaper than Amazon? Lisle is one of the ones I've seen on Amazon, and they seem to run under $6. I'm also considering a whole set from VIM, even though I only need the one bit. 8.82 for a whole set though, and they are American...

 

[Kscardsfan]

Bits are out there, but they‘re all special order items around here. I’d keep it around, they’re super handy in weird situations like brake jobs or in some plumbing work I’ve had to do at my house.

 

[Bogie1632]

Lisle has them individually, available online for like $2ea or in a 5 piece kit.

Definitly a tool worth keeping, even for infrequent use. Plenty of stuck fasteners best freed with a hand impact driver versus stripping with an impact.

Edit: Oops. They've become proud of that #3 bit. $5.89 on Amazon. #2 is under $2, but a 5 piece kit is under $14. Our local Advamce Auto has them for ~$3.

Amazon.com

V/R
Bogie

 

[Jlarson]

I wouldn't be without one for difficult torx and allen stuff, go too crazy on some with a gun and you're getting out the extractors.

 

[rsanter]

I still use the hand impacts regularly.
They cannot be replaced by anything else I can think of

 

[GTO]

Do yourself a favor and get a set of these.

VESSEL MEGADORA IMPACTA (2PC. SET) | JDTCo.

MEGADORA IMPACTA Screwdriver 2pcs. Set (+2x100/+3x150) Tang-Thru design incorporates a metal cap that prevents handle damage when striking with a hammer Proprietary cam mechanism rotates the shaft 12 degrees with each hammer strike Cr-V Alloy Steel Shank specially hardened Made in Japan

www.jerseydiscounttoolco.com

Support local businesses like JDTCo. above

 

[1foxracing]

Since you mentioned brake rotors I assume you are working on Hondas, the bits I would recommend are the JIS Vessel ones.
https://www.vesseltools.com/handtools/screwdrivers/impact/431801-detail

 

[Ton ton]

Napa has the vessel impact driver that you need. Kind of pricey.

 

[Davefr]

I still use the hand impacts regularly.
They cannot be replaced by anything else I can think of

^^Agree 100%. They're often the tool of last resort, infrequently used but will save your **** when nothing else works.

 

[Buckaroo5]

Sounds like I'm definitely getting a replacement #3 bit.
Will an parts store be cheaper than Amazon? Lisle is one of the ones I've seen on Amazon, and they seem to run under $6. I'm also considering a whole set from VIM, even though I only need the one bit. 8.82 for a whole set though, and they are American...

I had the same problem and bought the set from VIM. Holding up well - use it mainly on rotor screws on Honda's.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Im sure somewhere has it. Try lisle, tekton or other name brand ones. The hf bits are worth more in scrap

 

[MikeH]

Since you mentioned brake rotors I assume you are working on Hondas, the bits I would recommend are the JIS Vessel ones.
https://www.vesseltools.com/handtools/screwdrivers/impact/431801-detail

Indeed, mostly Honda, also my Hyundai Santa Fe. I had never thought about the fact that the screw would be JIS (too crusty to see the little dot!). I'll definitely go for the JIS. I assume the VIM set is just standard phillips?

 

[RTM]

I use mine rarely, as others said, but wouldn't be without it. Mine is close to 40 years old. I just bought a Lisle replacement bit, and figured the $6 was money well spent over 40 years.

 

[rlitman]

Indeed, mostly Honda, also my Hyundai Santa Fe. I had never thought about the fact that the screw would be JIS (too crusty to see the little dot!). I'll definitely go for the JIS. I assume the VIM set is just standard phillips?

Any screwdriver bit made in Asia or Europe will be the new DIN standard that works in JIS. I would expect the same from the American tool truck brands, but not from hardware store bits made for the construction industry.

Your rotor screws may not have the dot, but they'll certainly be of the JIS type.

Aside from Vessel, Zeyphyr sells individual impact bits on ebay. I'd check there.

 

[ZRX61]

I have a Taiwanese made Talco version. It's seen so much use over the past 40+ years that the top is mushroomed over. Paid £1.99 for it. Came with 13 bits, plus you can remove the bit holder & attach 1/2in drive impact sockets etc to it.
Everyone who has an older Japanese motorcycle has one. Haven't needed to use it on my '99 ZRX1100 though.