Why is this tool so hard to find?

[ourkid2000]

Ok, I bought an impact driver a few days ago (the type you hit with a hammer) to help me get out stubborn screws.

When I opened it up, I realized that the damn magnetic bit holder is 1/2" drive and takes 5/16" bits. Grrrr.....It came with its own bits, however, the aircraft I work on use these funky Triwing & Torq-set bits........all of which are 1/4". The supplied Phillips and Slotted aren't much use to me.

Anyways, why is it that I cannot find a 1/2" drive bit holder that accepts 1/4" bits? I have looked everywhere! any one have a solution? I know I can put an adapter on it but it's still frustrating.

Larger triwing and torque set bits are out of the question.

 

[krehmkej]

Just pulled my old Vessel tool out. Yup, they all seem to use the 5/16" hex.

A simple fix would be a 1/2"F>3/8"M adapter. Then round up some 3/8" drive 1/4" 6-point sockets and epoxy your bits in them.

My $0.03, YMMV.

 

[ourkid2000]

This is what I've been doing.......well sort of. I have a 3/8" drive bit holder from WIHA that accepts the 1/4" bits. I have a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter on it.

It just ***** because its an extra tool to carry around and the extra socket & adapter will not all fit in the driver case.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Get a 3/8" impact driver, cant hurt to have two of them.

 

[billymade]

I have one; it is made by Apex, if you are in the aerospace field you most likely are aware of this brand. The model is: APEX 858 1/4 BIT HOLDER Price: $10.98; all Apex stuff is excellent and it is a impact rated tool! We used this Apex holder and bits to remove floor screws in tractor trailers that needed the floors repaired; I also recommend their bits as well.... they really take a beating and last longer then any other brand I have tried! These were used on a air driven 1/2" impact wrench (not a hand impact); they are tough bits/holders! This ain't your daddy's cheapo bits; they are made for industrial and assembly line production environments!

Here are some online sources for this bit holder:

http://www.threedaytool.com/shop/in...ducts_id=734&zenid=8vvmb4um5bkbbenchqk87vf8o5

http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...apex 858 bit holder&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...apex+858+bit+holder&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

APEX/COOPER TOOLS:

To find a dealer close to you:
http://www.cooperpowertools.com/zip/index.cfm

Apex website:
http://www.coopertools.com/brands/fastening/index.cfm

Other Apex bits/holders:
http://www.threedaytool.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=33_66

Hope this helps! Good luck!

 

[fordbroncodave]

get a 3/8" impact driver from snap on then get a phillips 3/8" drive socket and punch the phillips part out and put in any bit you want from that point on.

if the bits break, take it out and put a new one in.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

get the 1/2 driver from snap on

 

[rsanter]

you can get the bits from sears but they are not warrantied

another option. get an adapter from 1/2 to 3/8 and just use the regular 3/8 drive screwdriver bits that are lifetime

bob

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Billymade has it right, just need a 1/2" drive 1/4" apex bit holder. I think a couple of you don't realize what the OP is trying to do. He has apex bits that are 1/4 hex. They are not Phillips, not slotted, not torx, they are a special type of drive know as a Tri-wing (the most horrible thing known to an aircraft mechanic and part of the reason why aircraft mechanics hate engineers so much) and the also hated Torq-Set, which I call an offset cross. He cannot just go to sears or HD and buy different bits, he simply needs the bit holder Billimade suggested.

We use 1/4 square drive and 3/8 square drive apex bit holders all the time at work. We have 1/2 drive, just don't need them much.

If I can, I'll post pics later.

Charles

 

[billymade]

They have quite a few other drive and bit size holders as well; check 'em out here:

Other Apex bits/holders:
http://www.threedaytool.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=33_66

 

[Avgas]

Rivet gun + screw buster > everything else

http://www.skygeek.com/ats-at540a-kit.html

 

[nissan_crawler]

Rivet gun + screw buster > everything else

http://www.skygeek.com/ats-at540a-kit.html

Truth, but it'll drive you up a f'in wall. Personally, I just start drilling.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Rivet gun + screw buster > everything else

http://www.skygeek.com/ats-at540a-kit.html

I use a screwknocker often, but the OP may be working away from an air source (then there is always the nitrogen bottle but be careful and don't use nitrogen to power air tools used in confined spaces)

There is a real neat tool that some of the ex military guys have in their tool boxes, its a neat machined aluminum fold up tool that has a threaded mandrel that screws into a hole adjacent to the one you are trying to get out, then has an apex bit holder mounted so it can slide to align with the screw to be removed. There is a handle that allows you quite a bit of leverage, to apply down force on the screw you are attempting to remove. mfg by the E L Brutus or Brutis Company in Mississippi, but never have been able to locate them.

Another tip if you haven't heard, keep a container of Clover valve lapping compound in your tool box, get some on your finger tip and fill the head of the screw with it, then work your apex bit into it. The abrasive helps the tip bite into the screw.

Charles

 

[ourkid2000]

I can't stand those rattlers.........just too much racket for me.

The situation I often find myself in is up on a man lift (up at the top of the tail) away from an air source and having a big ol electric drill on hand is just not always possible. Taking off various panels and having 2 or 3 stripped out Tr-Wings. In my small cantilever box I have my impact driver, a hammer, a speed handle & a small tub of valve lapping compound. I'm getting by just fine but I would like the right bit holder just to eliminate a small hassle.

I've used that leverage adapter a few times..........it's very good at getting out the stubborn screws but I do find that it marrs up the empty hole you're using to attach the tool into. Great for getting out of a jam but I wouldn't want to use it too often.

 

[tcorns]

attached are pics of what the op is looking for.

trev