Using Milwaukee 2853-20 Impact to change mower blades

[jp_over]

Friends,

I'd like to use my Milwaukee 2853-20 impact driver (1/4") to change my mower blades but had some concerns about using a 1/4" to 1/2" adapter.

In terms of foot pounds, the driver has the capacity and the blades are specified to need 65 ft lbs so all should be OK. However, I've read that the 1/4" to 1/2" converter can often break/shear.

Just wanted to hear if others are using this tool this way (for mower blades) with no issues or if I should avoid the hassle and use my larger electric impact wrench (currently in storage for another few months until we finish moving).

Thanks!

 

[Phantomd]

Uh, try it. worst case you break the adapter and have to do it by hand.

 

[shawhite]

I use my desalt impact driver to tighten and loosen bolts all day every weekday and never had a problem. What’s the big deal if you break a 1/4 to 1/2 adapter they are relatively cheap. I don’t think you will have any problems.

 

[bwringer]

You'll very likely need a lot more torque than that to break these free.

But, give it a try. Worst case, you break the adapter.

 

[Farmall450]

Uh, try it. worst case you break the adapter and have to do it by hand.

Yeah, changing lawn mower blades here, not torquing wing bolts on a 737.

 

[jp_over]

Thanks for all the advice, I’m going to get an adapter and give it a try. I used a wrench last time so they shouldn’t be overly tight. If I break an adapter I’ll just use my big electric impact once we finish moving.

 

[bcradio]

Sounds good

 

[KenC]

I use my dewalt 1/4" hex driver all the time with adapters. I've broken a number of 3/8" versions, no 1/4s or 1/2 though. Maybe that's because I use the 3/8 the most.

 

[engineer2]

I have two HF adapter sets (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) with my Makita 1/4" hex driver. I do lugnuts with the 1/2 adapter all the time. Never had a problem, but one of the 1/4 adapters is twisted in a spiral. Probably wasn't heat treated.