A look at a cheap hand held impact driver

One of the handiest tools in the workshop. Easily break free and undo frozen and stuck bolts and screws. Cheap to buy and highly effective.
Camera: Nikon Coolpix L820

[@stephenkent8903]

I have an impact driver that is 60 years old. It was made where my dad worked as a machinist. It was the H.K.Porter forging plant in Somerville, Massachusetts USA. It works great! I know it will work just as good when it gets to be 100 years old like one of its brother tools the 1906 H.K.Porter bolt cutter I have made at the same plant!

[@slybunda]

never knew a tool like this existed. always ended up drilling out the screws that were stuck or had mangled the head. thanks for this will get this tool

[@Xynudu]

Very handy unit. Saves a lot of frustration. Been around a very long time.

[@andrewmacdonald4833]

What people don't say about impact drivers is which way you need to turn it to either tighten or loosen the screw...that would help.

[@Xynudu]

Look at the end screen.

[@georgecurtis6463]

I bought a small version from harbor freight years ago. Works great for small stuff that the normal sized ones would destroy. Love it as it works perfectly for the smaller delicate stuff.

[@Ulbre]

these are great for loosening flywheel/AC comp clutch centre nuts when you don't have the special holding tool

[@styldsteel1]

I absolutely love this tool. Thank you!

[@johnbarron4265]

These are great for loosening seized lug nuts too. The combination of hammering and twisting work wonders when an ordinary wrench won't budge them.

[@Xynudu]

Yes, they work great John, particularly as you can easily regulate the pressure/hammer amount by feel. The only thing I don't like is that they need to be about an inch longer so you don't pinch your big blokey hand. I always wear leather gloves because of that. This gadget has saved the day many times over. Never had any problem with mine, which must be 40 years old. Cheers Rob

[@VenturiLife]

The number of times I needed one of these...

[@BrendanFalkowski]

Great video, this will be very useful for my old Yamaha. I've been stripping the JIS screws left and right. Have to drill them out half the time.

[@Xynudu]

***** Hi Brendan. These are an absolute must have for early Japanese M/cycles. Cheers Rob.

[@tedmich]

An added issue, Philips bits cam out terribly on the Japanese JIS version screws which are used in motorcycles. The real JIS bits are much less rounded and thus not prone to camming.

[@Xynudu]

Yes, you may be able to grind back the tip a bit for better profile/purchase. Cheers Rob

[@harveysmith100]

Good demo. Had one for years, saved my bacon many many times.

[@allenrhodes6657]

Just a heads up Japanese don't use Philips head screws , they may look like Philips but they are indeed jis or Japanese industrial standard with the proper driver you won't strip a screw , good video though.

[@jusb1066]

japanese Uused to use a variation of philips called JIS, but in the last 10 years or so have embraced european standards and use posidriv.

[@allenrhodes6657]

I do this for a living ( build Japanese owned cars ) they are jis

[@nickwhite6717]

Trucks are phillips

[@bandogbone3265]

No need to argue, just get bits in each style, then choose whichever fits best.

[@trevorlynch6549]

An electric impact driver and an impact wrench work the same way they don't hammer down on a screw/bolt they just apply an impacting twisting force.

[@BigDogsHunt100]

My "serious duty" impact wrench will snap bolts easy... but it doesn't go in reverse. Cordless impact drivers have come a long way, and I'm sure they've pretty much pushed these to extinction in big box stores... but the impact driver I have is exactly as shown here and I've used it a few times. Very useful IMO. I only use it for stubborn screws, and only in reverse (I never actually DRIVE a fastener in with it... that'd take way too long). Works well in combination with some PB Blaster or melted beeswax / torch action. Word of caution though... try to back it out with a screw driver first. If the screw is rusted, penetrating oil/wax and constant steady pressure with a screw driver is the only way to back it out... impacts will sheer it off for sure. Sure beats stripping it with a normal drill/driver then drilling out the fastener (or welding a nut to it). Only use an impact driver like this on stubborn screws (i.e. locktite'd screws? stainless screws in rusty mild steel?) that are in decent condition.

[@Xynudu]

BigDogsHunt100 An impact wrench only turns, it doesn't force the bit into the slot as an impact driver does. That's why you should always use an impact driver to avoid tearing up screw heads. These are simple but very effective. The harder you hit them, the more they dig in and hold. Basic, but very effective. If you ever work on Japanese m/cycles these are a must. Rob

[@BigDogsHunt100]

yeah, if the fastener isn't rusted and can handle the increased force, I agree. On questionable fasteners I think I try a screwdriver and a torch first. ;)

[@dunbustin]

I had the strange experience that I could not get a screw out with an impact driver and hitting it hard, but then it came out fairly easily with a breaker bar. I wondered if it was something to do with the rotational component of the force being too little compared with the inward component. The screw did not have a fine thread so that might be the explanation.

[@evanthompson8925]

I have a similar 3/8 inch drive unit as well as a 3/8 inch Snap On unit. The Snap On easier to use. But you get what you pay for.

[@Xynudu]

The price on these has gone up a lot over the years. Good item to buy scondhand at garage sales if you see one. Cheers Rob

[@stephenoreilly]

Please help me. My impact driver is identical to yours. How do I know when I have the driver set to un-screw. I have a feeling I am tightening the screws I need to un-screw. I don't know how to set it to un-screw. Thanks.

[@Xynudu]

Push the square end against something flat and solid and watch the rotation direction. The video explains all this.

[@rawbacon]

Handy tool to have when you need one.

[@hoahoang3722]

Small but useful

[@Xynudu]

Definitely.

[@rhelouin]

Please tell me what the brand is and where can I buy it for under $20 USD?

[@Xynudu]

No brand. Shop around.

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

Those are great tools, pinched my hands many a times with them.

[@Xynudu]

+ShysterLawyer Yes. I always wear a leather glove when using one, because of the pinching problem. They should have made the grip longer - they are all the same. Cheers Rob

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

That's a good idea, I don't like blood blisters. The impact drivers do work well, definitely something that should be in everyone's tool box.

[@nativewear23]

I used a vice grip to hold it. Worked good

[@gypsysoul1719]

I have used one of these for years, they work great. But now I need to use it on a hex socket head machine screw. The manual driver has a 3/8 female hex and my impact rated hex set has male 1/4 hex. Is there some adapter available? One end would be 3/8 male hex and the other end 1/4 female hex, and impact rated.

[@Xynudu]

You can use normal socket set size converters on these 1/2 inch square drives. I have never used hex drivers, but I expect there would be similar size converters available. Google is your friend. Cheers Rob

[@ZenMasterChip]

I can't believe you didn't show in detail loading the driver... I mean do I turn it towards tightening (CW) to remove, or loosen (CCW) to unload? That's what I've forgotten. It seems kind of intuitive that I'd load CW (like tightening) to load the driver; but, I could be wrong. In fact, when I think about it, rotating top CCW rotates bottom to CW, upon which the impact will slide bottom CCW. My childhood memory, the last time I used one like 40 years ago seems to remember you load in the direction you want to use. But, I really expected that to be described in the video. I mean I can appreciate you taking the time to do the video; but, how to load is actually the most important aspect of using this tool. I see you, sort of, testing the turn direction; but, I don't see you loading it. (sigh) Found this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZiTqJyir7Knjrs (Great, the old weak memory about the same direction as you want to act was the correct memory, I did want to mention, memories are weak after 40 years).

[@Xynudu]

Do you mean this ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHy9ooGZo5h2rMU

[@tarapath5099]

How do you set it up so that it unscrews -- mine did not come with any directions. Thanks

[@Xynudu]

Hi Tara, I did another video on how direction change works: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHy9ooGZo5h2rMU Cheers Rob

[@me3rivers]

I came here to find out how to know which direction it is set to go or how to change the direction. The box says reversible, but no directions. It looks just like yours. The collar feels gritty so it might be defective.

[@Xynudu]

Jeffrey Dick Hi Jeffrey. This video should help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHy9ooGZo5h2rMU Cheers. Rob

[@TeezyThaKidd]

xynudu Thanks for this!!

[@finncarlsrensen5255]

When You turn the screwdriver in the direction which You want to turn the fastened screw, it wil, - if in the wrong position, at one time move/be turned to the right position! Normally, if You try to compres the screwdriver, it will give away the direction for which it is set.

[@rcnelson]

So turn the handle counterclockwise (left) toward the L on the tool to loosen?

[@Xynudu]

R C Nelson Depends which end you are viewing it from. On mine if you put the square drive in a vise to hold it, you then turn the hand piece/grip (clockwise) towards the "L" to set it to loosen (when viewed from the grip towards the square drive. Rob

[@trevorslater2547]

Yes mate

[@Purple.Tentacle]

@@Xynudu Thank you very much! I found this tool in my Basement and was unsure how to set the direction, thought i might break it with how much force was needed to turn. Can't wait to have a messed up screw to test it :)

[@dangunn6961]

I have one of those I bought many years ago. I lost the bits for it.

[@user-is3qz5ox5k]

Жақсы тусиндиреди.

[@79TEOG]

Link to this tool

[@Adipatus]

wHAT a cool tip !!!! awesome tool !! thank you.

[@chrismitchell6478]

I'm going to be honest, I purchased a kit today and thought to myself "what is this thing called and I'm going to go search youtube to see how exactly to use it". Thank you

[@Xynudu]

Chris Mitchell You did the right thing. These are a great tool for breaking free screws and bolts. Do yourself a favour and always wear a glove when holding these, as they can pinch your skin if your not holding them correctly. They are however 100 % effective for the intended job. Cheers Rob

[@ihavenousername1805]

Haha. That's happened to me far too many times, lol. Bloody torx heads haha

[@mhhmh05]

I bought this for $4 in Malaysia

[@powerrangjer2001]

how about bolt size 8

[@Justin-op8gg]

Ah, the ol' french canadian accent...

[@Xynudu]

No, Australian.

[@phanostheophanous8320]

Just ordered one on ebay, common problem with home d.i.y

[@Xynudu]

I agree Phanos. Super handy. They should make them a bit longer for larger man sized hands as you can easily hit/pinch the one holding it. I always wear a leather glove just in case. Apart from that they work well as you can vary the impact level by feel. Cheers Rob

[@andyhuang7526]

I know you try to talk about the impact screw driver but, for the first 2 minutes I have no idea what the heck you talking about ! 😂 😂

[@peteraretin7802]

It needs subtitles.

[@queefmicester1189]

And if one of these doesn't work, WD-40 and a very long screw driver usually works for me (depends on the situation).

[@RealHankShill]

How does length of a screwdriver effect its leverage for break away? A very fat handle would, but not length.

[@coolflame18]

where'd you get it for $10 mate?

[@Xynudu]

+Rick James That was a long time ago - back in the 80's. Can't remember where I got it. I suppose they cost more now. Rob

[@Xynudu]

+Rick James I see they are about $35 these days. Still good value. Rob

[@RealHankShill]

$17 from Tekton Tools, lifetime warranty

[@crankydoodle3019]

got mine for 7 bucks.....low price for a lifesaver

[@Xynudu]

That's cheap - I think the new price is over $30 now. I used mine the other day to break free the anode thread in the hot water tank - quite big diameter. A big cheater bar wouldn't do it, so I gave it a few whacks with the impact driver, and out she came. Just enough to break the thread bond. Great unit. Cheers Rob

[@chrislay3827]

$18 at Supercheap Auto Rob.

[@cgis123]

Every time I have tried one of those I have destroyed it.. I have been through about 6 of them over the years.. And I'm not rough on my gear either.. :-(

[@Xynudu]

Mine's made in Taiwan. Done plenty of work as you can see from the end where it gets hit. Maybe there's a difference in quality between manufacturers. Rob

[@RodderFiles]

was it a Harbor Freight Unit lol, i still have mine from HFT its 16 yrs old looks brand new, lol i only used it once had to buy it to remove the door off my old vw an i worked freat, went back in the tool box in its case , an i open it up every few yrs an say , oh yeah thats what that is lol

[@Xynudu]

We don't have Harbor Freight in Oz, but it gets lots of mentions from the USA viewers. Mostly good. When I was a kid we didn't have any of this stuff. We were lucky to have a hammer and saw. Times sure have changed. Rob strtrodder100

[@johnwakamatsu3391]

I bought one that was made in Taiwan forty years ago and it still works. I used it today to remove a rusted slotted head screw. I was thinking about buying a Snap On impact driver because it has a 3/8 inch driver head.

[@johnbarron4265]

Should've bought a Lisle. They're indestructible.

[@gypsysoul1719]

The title says Impact Wrench. You showed me an impact screwdriver. Disappointed.

[@Xynudu]

The title says " Impact driver" and always has. Maybe get your eyesight tested.