"Nonny" wrote in message
...
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.
To use the impact screwdriver, you place the appropriate bit in the holder
and hold the screwdriver firmly while tapping on it with a hammer. The
impact forces the bit into the screw, helping to prevent the head from
stripping, while the coarse threads make the bit twist just a tad.
Usually, that's enough to break loose a frozen screw if you're lucky, and
you then follow up with a regular screwdriver to finish the job.
The first one I had I bought as a teen to work on my motorcycle's engine
and had it for around 40 years. During that 40 years, I probably had to
use it a dozen times at the most. However, each and every time it saved
the day for me. The one Harbor Freight sells appears to be a clone of my
old one and I suspect it'll serve the purpose longer than I'll ever need.
Nonny
Best $10 you'll ever spend. If you know a tool guy, one of these is a great
stocking stuffer. Like you said, you only need it about once every 1.5
years, but when you do, nothing else will work. If you keep it in the nice
little metal box it comes in, it always looks like new. It does take a
while to learn how to use it, though. And that is to use it FIRST, before
you strip the head off that bolt. One or two smacks, and you're done. Same
for setting a bolt. A couple of smacks, and it's there.
Steve
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