Screwdriver with flex shaft?

[katit]

I'm looking for screwdrivers with nut drivers at the end and with flexing shaft. To use on hose clamps in hard to reach areas.

How do they call? Who makes them? I've seen them somewhere but can't remember and can't find anymore..

 

[tduke]

I'm looking for screwdrivers with nut drivers at the end and with flexing shaft. To use on hose clamps in hard to reach areas.

How do they call? Who makes them? I've seen them somewhere but can't remember and can't find anymore..

Stanley tool makes a flexible shaft screwdriver about 8 inches long with interchangable bits. Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but Walmart sells them. I have one and use it from time to time.

 

[katit]

At this point I don't mind to buy a set so I don't have to worry about bit falling out. I think about 3 sizes will cover most clamps used in a car..

I will check Stanley tool. What is the name of the tool?

 

[tduke]

Walmart sells a stanley tool flexible shaft driver w/ interchangable bits. It is about 8" long. I don't know if this is exactly what you are looking for or not
but I have one that I use occassionally and it is quite handy.

 

[wilbilt]

I have a Craftsman flex-shaft driver with 1/4" square drive end. I don't know if they still sell them.

EDIT: Yes, they do. It's 6" long. $9.99 at www.craftsman.com

 

[george4]

I have a Craftsman flex-shaft driver with 1/4" square drive end. I don't know if they still sell them.

I have the craftsman 1/4 flex (3 inch) extension for use on a ratchet or drive handle, very handy in snug areas.

 

[katit]

I have the craftsman 1/4 flex (3 inch) extension for use on a ratchet or drive handle, very handy in snug areas.

Thanks!

I found it. Craftsman have 4 inch extention and 6 inch driver. I think extention is what I need. I have driver and ratched. And I have sockets now

 

[ImportTuner]

I have a Craftsman flex-shaft driver with 1/4" square drive end. I don't know if they still sell them.

EDIT: Yes, they do. It's 6" long. $9.99 at www.craftsman.com

I got two of those Craftsman flex-shaft drivers; have not used it in years ..

 

[wilbilt]

I got two of those Craftsman flex-shaft drivers; have not used it in years ..

I never said I actually use it...

It doesn't transmit torque very well.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I own a 1/4" drive 6 inch extension that is flexible but I never found a use for it yet

 

[katit]

So, how do you get to hose clamps that are not accessable by screwdriver?

 

[Deafautotech]

i dont own any flexible screwdriver because most of time i work on automotive that use clamp and i had craftsman clamp plier that it can go in tight area. it is 28650-998 as craftsman clamp plier for 39.99 but i bought it for 29.99 as two years ago. it is very handy for me even other techs asked to borrow my craftsman clamp pliers.....

 

[katit]

I mostly work on german cars, most smaller clamps need to be cut (I replace them with screw clamps) and bigger clamps already screw-clamps. Sometimes they are hard to reach. I think flex shaft will do, but they probably won't transfer torque as needed..

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I have used cabinets screwdrivers (Craftsman, like the pro line, but Canadian Craftsman (Stanley, imports), that are longer then USA Craftsman are). flex sockets, screwdriver sockets, and bit inserts in sockets on a wobble.
Around one gas tank, axle area, I even used a Gearwrench.

Some of those areas, made me wish I had new spring clamps. LOL

 

[MAD]

I tried the Craftsman flexible 1/4" dr. driver when they came out about 10 years ago. Every one I tried , the connection between the flexible shaft and the drive end would break free and spin when even a moderate amount of torque was applied. I do not know if Craftsman ever fixed this problem or if they even still offer that tool now.

I have a Snap-on 1/4" drive flexible extension (TM61A) that I use with a nutdriver style spinner handle and the appropriate socket to get at difficult hose clamps. It transmits torque very well.

 

[wilbilt]

I tried the Craftsman flexible 1/4" dr. driver when they came out about 10 years ago. Every one I tried , the connection between the flexible shaft and the drive end would break free and spin when even a moderate amount of torque was applied. I do not know if Craftsman ever fixed this problem or if they even still offer that tool now.

The one I have has never broken, but it is way more than 10 years old. It's probably closer to 30 years old. It just feels too "springy" for me.

 

[katit]

I have a Snap-on 1/4" drive flexible extension (TM61A) that I use with a nutdriver style spinner handle and the appropriate socket to get at difficult hose clamps. It transmits torque very well.

I just ordered it from snap-on. It seems to me that I need it more then often. I try with different screwdrivers, etc...

 

[MAD]

The one I have has never broken, but it is way more than 10 years old. It's probably closer to 30 years old. It just feels too "springy" for me.

The Snap-on one is less springy from what I remember of the craftsman one I tried. Aside from the amount of flex, I was able to break the Craftsman ones by putting a deep socket on and twisting against the handle with my hand. I broke a bunch of them in the store that way when I took the first one back. The drive end would not separate from the flex shaft, just spin. I noticed the Craftsman web site has both the flex 1/4" extension and the spinner handle. I will have to check them out in the store and see if they are any good these days.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

The Snap-on one is less springy from what I remember of the craftsman one I tried. Aside from the amount of flex, I was able to break the Craftsman ones by putting a deep socket on and twisting against the handle with my hand. I broke a bunch of them in the store that way when I took the first one back. The drive end would not separate from the flex shaft, just spin. I noticed the Craftsman web site has both the flex 1/4" extension and the spinner handle. I will have to check them out in the store and see if they are any good these days.

We expect a report back.

 

[4lug39]

I had to pull squirrel cages out of late 60's early 70's GTOs. I got this 1/4 drive tool and the socket from the tool guy at work. It worked like a champ - broke some pretty rusted bolts over. I have also used it on hose clamps. Its a good one - you don't use it much, but when you do need it, it's perfect.

 

[MAD]

Originally Posted by MAD
The Snap-on one is less springy from what I remember of the craftsman one I tried. Aside from the amount of flex, I was able to break the Craftsman ones by putting a deep socket on and twisting against the handle with my hand. I broke a bunch of them in the store that way when I took the first one back. The drive end would not separate from the flex shaft, just spin. I noticed the Craftsman web site has both the flex 1/4" extension and the spinner handle. I will have to check them out in the store and see if they are any good these days.

We expect a report back.

I stopped in Sears today and I am happy to report that the quality of the Craftsman flex spinner and flex extension has greatly improved from the disappointing examples I tried years ago. They are much less springy and seem like they will transmit a decent amount of torque. They actually seem to be a bit stiffer than my Snap-on TM61A flex extension, although it is difficult to compare them because the Craftsman ones are shorter and the Snap-on extension has twenty years of use on it. Most importantly, the Craftsmans did not break in my hand like the old ones did.

I bought both the flex spinner handle and the 1/4" dr. flex extension so I can put them together to make a longer driver. Otherwise it seems like there may be times when they will not flex enough to get at certain offset fasteners due to the short length of the flexible shafts. The extension is 4" long. The spinner handle is claimed to be 6" but that seems to include the handle.The shaft on the spinner is less than 3" long.

Here are links to both of these tools. B.T.W., I whined about not getting the Craftsman Club fliers until they gave me the 25% off open stock tools weekend special sale price.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&cat=Mechanics+Tools&subcat=Socket+Accessories&pid=00904355000

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&cat=Mechanics+Tools&subcat=Socket+Accessories&pid=00904336000

 

[chevy302dz]

I've never needed a flexshaft screwdriver. I usually use a stubby or one of these. http://www.chapmanmfg.com/

 

[Uncle Buck]

The one I have has never broken, but it is way more than 10 years old. It's probably closer to 30 years old. It just feels too "springy" for me.

You stole my post!