On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 22:04:15 -0500, "Don Young"
wrote:
"Shoebox Chevy" wrote in message
...
"Don Young" wrote in message
...
"mm" wrote in message
...
If I push the front of wrench back into the back of the wrench it
turns either clockwise or counterclockwise, when looked at from the
heal of the wrench, depending on the setting. (The opposite of
course when looked at from the tip of the wrench)
Which way should it turn if I want to use it to unscrew a bolt or
screw? Which way are you looking from it? 
I'm trying to unscrew the screws holding on the oil filter of my
recently acquired 69 Honda, not run for 35 years. Also the starter
motor cover. So I can clean and oil them respectively.
I have this problem every time I need to use this wrench and I figure
it out, but since I'm over 50, or maybe since I was 20, I can't
remember from one time to the next! This time, I think I have it,
but
none of 5 screws will budge!
Press the driver bit tightly into the screw recess (or otherwise hold the
bit), turn the driver hard left (counterclockwise) until it clicks around
in
that direction. While holding the driver tightly in this manner (like you
are trying to loosen the screw) hit the top of the driver. If you need to
repeat, just be sure you have the driver clicked counterclockwise and put
as
much turning force on it as you reasonably can while hitting the end. You
have to be trying to turn the screw when you hit the driver for it to
work.
Don Young
That's not true. That is the whole reason there is a CW and CCW setting on
the tool. When you hit it with a hammer, it turns one direction or the
other
without regard to the tension you put in either direction, or none at all.
The advice to put it on a hard slick surface, like a tool box, and press
on
it, is a good way to see which way it is going.
Ok, but I just can't see how or why you would set the tool to CCW and hit it
while holding CW pressure or no pressure on it. My Snap-On driver has no CW
or CCW markings or settings, you just turn it the direction you want the
screw to go and hit it. Maybe others are different.
This one doesn't say CW or CCW, but it does say R and L, but there is
no real indication if it is set for R or L, no dot on the other half.
So what about which direction one turned the part to get there? The
problem was that it wasn't loosening, so I wanted to do the thing
where you push it in while pressing against a smooth surface (although
I just held it in my hand) and see which way it goes. I thought I had
it right, but it DIDN'T work, so I started to have doubts.
The UPSHOT OF ALL THIS IS THAT IT DIDN'T WORK UNTIL I GOT OUT THE
PROPANE TORCH AND HEATED THE CASE BEHIND THE HEAD OF THE SCREWS.
I got the first two, the cover plate for the starter motor out easily,
but still needed to hit it with the impact driver.
The 3 for the oil filter, which turned out to have barely any dirt
(oil paste) in it anyhow, each took about 2 to 3 minutes with the
torch, mostly around the case and a little on the screw head.
And I've gotten one of the clutch cover screws out of 4 out, and need
to get an extension to reach the other 3. Harbor Freight has a set
very cheap.
I may also need to take off the right side cover, if the kick starter
really has a broken spring or something inside.
The JCWhitney ad for impact drivers mentions striker plates,
motorcycle cases, and body panels, so motorcycle engine cases are
right up there in the list of things hard to take apart. I wasn't
sure I needed this thing when I bought it (for 10 dollars) maybe 20
years ago, but it's good.
Don Young