On 7/12/2010 12:24 PM Nonny spake thus:

Harbor Freight sells one of those "tools you put in your toolbox
and only get out rarely when all else has failed." It's called an
impact screwdriver. They've been around forever, and the one I
just got cost less than what I paid for one 55 years ago.

What they are is a very heavy solid steel handle with a coarse
pitched screw thread inside, so to speak. Inside the threaded
area is a mated shaft with reversing toggle, and on the end of the
shaft is a hex holder for various screwdriver bits. The tool is a
heavy duty version of the Yankee drill we all remember. They have
a socket wrench-type of shaft and apparently can also be used on
bolts, but I've never tried that, since I have a pneumatic wrench
that works well. Their best application is in loosening frozen
screws, where an inward application of force and twisting motion
is needed.

I agree with you that this is a great tool. No batteries or power
required, either. Every toolbox should have one.


--
The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring,
with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags.

- Comment from an article on Antiwar.com (http://antiwar.com)