Impact driver ratcheting adapter - Does this exist?

[met89]

I have an application where I need to attach and remove a long hex bolt with some frequency that engages a mechanism that cannot handle a lot of torque (I believe the tightening spec is around 3 NM or roughly 2.21 ft-lbs). I'm fine with doing the final tightening by hand with a torque wrench, but removal by hand is pretty tedious. I would like to use my electric impact driver for removal, the problem is if I were to accidentally put the impact driver in forward instead of reverse I could over torque the mechanism and damage it.

Is there a ratcheting attachment for impact drivers that would only allow for rotation in one direction? That way in the event that I accidentally set the driver to forward it would just spin, but if I set the driver to reverse it would turn the bit? I know the easy answer is to just be careful to make sure the driver is in reverse, but mistakes happen and I don't trust myself to not make that mistake.

I thought about getting a separate weaker powered screwdriver for this task, but it seems like a waste considering I already have an impact driver. I know there are "torque sticks" that prevent overtightening but I'm not sure I could get them for such a low torque.

 

[rlitman]

They make inline ratchets for square drive. I've got one so I can use a socket and a drill to start a generator without it ripping my arm off when the engine kicks. A wrap of tape over the selector ring prevents accidental reversing. Since you say hex bolt, I'd assume a square drive would work, even if you want to use an impact driver. What drive size is your socket?

This is 3/8" drive:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NT7L7RX/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I know they make a 1/2" version, but I'm not sure I've seen these in 1/4".

edit: I see that Snap On makes 1/4" drive version, but I haven't found a cheap one in my short search.

 

[MileHighRover]

How would buying a powered screwdriver for the task be a waste but buying a ratcheting adapter not? You could go to Walmart and buy a battery powered screwdriver cheaper than the adapter will be. Then you'll have a screwdriver you could use way more frequently than a ratcheting adapter.

 

[met89]

They make inline ratchets for square drive. I've got one so I can use a socket and a drill to start a generator without it ripping my arm off when the engine kicks. A wrap of tape over the selector ring prevents accidental reversing. Since you say hex bolt, I'd assume a square drive would work, even if you want to use an impact driver. What drive size is your socket?

This is 3/8" drive:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NT7L7RX/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I know they make a 1/2" version, but I'm not sure I've seen these in 1/4".

Interesting! I believe the drive is 1/4" hex but I would need to double check. I have a 1/4" hex to 3/8" adapter. That looks like it may be the solution.

 

[KnurledNut]

My impact driver has a mode that prevents overtightening.

 

[Zewnten]

I use a drill with a hex to square dr adapter 1/4 and 3/8

 

[dnschmidt]

What about the most obvious solution: DON'T **** UP!

 

[Rusted Nut]

Get a drill/driver, put on lowest setting. Or just check tool is in reverse.

 

[Tostal]

In the past, a Speed Handle might have been used for the OP's application :-



T~

 

[garfunkle24]

zip tie or electrical tape to keep direction selector on impact driver set to reverse.

If you can't reliably have your impact driver in the correct direction I would assume you can't reliably have a ratcheting adapter set in the correct direction.

Better to remove a a point of potential user error than to add one.

 

[Etchase]

One failure mode of ratchet adapters is the inability to switch directions. Depending on brand, there are ways to force this failure, and removing the switch is typically one of them.