Impact driver turning in the "wrong" direction

[kblee27]

I have a Milwaukee right angle impact driver.

On some occasions I came across a really over-tightened nut.

When I use the reverse direction on that nut, I was seeing the socket moving clockwise, instead of anti-clockwise. The nut refused to budge.

I thought I had set it in the wrong direction and push the switch over the other side, but I was making things worst.
Only then I realized my mistake and use a hand wrench to unloosen that nut.

Questions: Why was the socket appears to be moving in the wrong direction ?
Is this the impact driver saving itself ?
Would the impact driver be damaged internally ?

 

[JieselDeep]

It might just be impacting, bouncing and your eye was picking up on the rebound and missing the impact.

 

[jkwilson]

Some lights can produce a strobe effect and make things look like they are moving the opposite direction.

 

[mustanginky]

Probably similar edfect as seeing a cars wheels at interstate speed and they look to be spinning in reverse.

 

[kblee27]

Thanks. But I doubt it's the lighting effect.

I was watching the label on the socket, and it's moving in a clockwise direction every time I impact, although I was trying to loosen it in anti-clockwise direction.

 

[laser3kw]

also vibrations, such as humming, can cause your eyes to vibrate which, when combined with outside frequencies (such as 60hz lighting or tv sync patterns) can cause illusions like that also.

 

[AJH]

Why not try it on a fastener that's not seized to confirm which direction it's turning? If it's turning counterclockwise, the fastener will come loose.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Why not label (or engrave) the switch?

 

[kblee27]

Why not try it on a fastener that's not seized to confirm which direction it's turning? If it's turning counterclockwise, the fastener will come loose.

Yes, used it all the time with normal unseized nut, and it will turn anti-clockwise normally.

It's only when I encounter over-tightened nut, that it appears to be moving in a "wrong" direction with every impact blow.

 

[BaMaDuDe87]

Its prob pissed because you were making it work hard so it decided to mess with you and turn the opposite direction.