Convert a small engine to drill start!

[@stratfink]

now to make a rope powered socket for when your drill is dead and you need the generator to charge it, good video from a smartass viewer

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks for adding some humor =)

[@lynnekarr11]

How come guys think being a smart ass is entertaining

[@BigBlockRick-gy6ym]

That was a real how-to experiment….no unnecessary editing Great video of a guy just tinkering around to make something more convenient … Fun to watch…love it!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave such a pleasant comment.

[@foxtrottango8745]

You want to keep it running longer? Get rid of the 2cycle crud oil mix and use Amsoil 100:1 2cycle oil because synthetic oil protects better and you use less oil. I was a former professional small engine mechanic.

[@M4jeff]

Good content! Thank you for posting, you are a scholar and a gentleman.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

You’re welcome. Thanks for taking time to comment and being a great person 👍

[@paulveenings6861]

That’s an upgrade on a crank handle that we used to start cars with. Well done 👍

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thank you, I appreciate the comment.

[@CanadianBrewingChannel]

I have been doing this for years when I have a hard starting motor I want to test. Saves on the shoulders!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Absolutely, thanks for sharing.

[@Johnny2Bags47]

And the parts.

[@EllieBoies]

Wow, I have a power washer I can’t ever start because I’m 5 feet 128 lbs, this video gives me hope! Thank you, SUBSCRIBED 😊

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks for the comment, I hope you get that pressure washer fired up 👍

[@ryanjo5726]

great, thanks for this detailed Video, i have a similar Generator that has been paining my shoulders to start. gonna try this.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks for taking the time to check in. Good luck on the conversion 👍

[@JeffBishop_KB3QMT]

These generators are a Yamaha design that the Chinese kept manufacturing. I've had great luck with these, getting over 2000 hours on one of them. There is a trick to these. #1: Never pull the rope without the choke all the way on, it's likely to backfire and break the starter pawls (plastic) requiring a new blower shroud ($20). #2: When you turn these off, shut them off by shutting off the fuel. It will burn all the fuel from the carburetor and prevent any lacquer buildup inside the carburetor. #3: Don't leave fuel in the tank for long periods of time. If you embrace these few things, these little generators will run for years. While I don't know how it will perform for others, I've never had any problem running televisions or computers on these small generators.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Mine has been a bit of a pain to start but I am actually very impressed with the performance of this little generator.

[@JeffBishop_KB3QMT]

@@TheLawnEngineer I think these are great little generators and underrated. They are noisy compared to a Honda, but the Honda is incredibly expensive by comparison. I've had a lot of good luck with these over the years, and it's often the perfect size.

[@STho205]

They are a pain to start because they are 2 cycle and the pull cord is quite short to get speed. Step 1, drill an access hole in the plastic carb cover (air filter panel) that you can plug with a tiny cork. Step 2: set to run and spray with starting fluid. Step 3: put cork in hole Step 4: choke it and pull slowly through one complete revolution. Step 5: put it on half choke and pull slowly just to 1st compression stroke then pull fast. Should start on 1st fast pull. Or 2nd. The running them dry still leaves gas mix in the carb bowl (about 1/2). If old that'll fight you. There's no purge tap, so just remove bowl (one easy nut) and dump. I miss purge taps.

[@rcnelson]

#1: Only a piece of crap would have this problem.

[@STho205]

@@rcnelson it is a crappy generator. It works, but it is a fiddly carb. It is a $70 700watt generator for just lights and a few power tools on a spot. I bought it for work out in my woods where I can easily toss it in the back of the vehicle...without the mass and overkill weight of a real generator. Extremely loud. They retail for 150 now and aren't worth that. Easier to buy a small battery pack today...but not 10 years ago. They do last, but the power sine wave will only settle out with a load 1st like several lights or a fan before you try to plug in a sensitive device.

[@shanhannum9999]

sure makes it easier for older people, or the disabled who cant pull the rope

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I'm glad you found some value in the video! It certainly makes starting this generator easier.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Couldn't use a hole saw for the socket hole? Good conversion.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

@@joewoodchuck3824 a hole saw or large step drill would have worked better. I need to up my hole making game with some new tools 🧰.

[@bellyacres7846]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJTOc3yDltmMsNE this shows Gluing the socket And the rachet device - extra precaution that are a good idea.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

I used this idea while troubleshooting a no-start, allowed me to concentrate on finding the problem rather than my tired arm. I'll say, if the starter center shaft bushing is packed full with heavy grease, the spring won't retract the pull cord properly in very cold weather.

[@3dr0cks]

Good! Sometimes I start my VW Beetle with an 800W drill or an impact wrench on the 19mm nut on the alternator. It works.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

You are awesome, thanks for sharing.

[@JamesBrown-js3lm]

I was doing that back in the early 70s on a scooter I acquired from a friend. The kick start was broken but the drill worked perfectly.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

You’re a smart guy, the only difference is we have cordless tools now.

[@Counselor77]

A little handy hint if you're doing any sheet metal drilling, use a step drill bit and they work great.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, great tip. I’ve thought about picking one up but I always forget when I’m at the store.

[@Willy12927]

Using a drill and socket to start an engine,especially a 2 cycle, can create a problem when the engine starts and turns faster than the drill and socket cannot be removed fast enough. Not only can the drill be damaged, but the flywheel nut can come off and allowing flywheel to come lose and damage the crank. Best to use a socket ratchet along with the socket.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

You are correct, I made a follow up video about that topic: Watch this Before Converting Engine to Drill Start kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJeXooJ5bpdlZqs

[@garyday6681]

Thanks for the novel, but nope not helpful.

[@Krazycat321]

Option B, Fix the pull cord!

[@Willy12927]

@@Krazycat321 No matter how good the pull cord is it won't fix a 76 year old arthritic shoulder.

[@Reloadeez]

Overrunning clutch drive drill adapter is the safest way. An impact gun can be used in a pinch, they will free spin when not engaged.

[@dennisrphymurphy7929]

A couple of comments, if I may. The unit will start without the pull coil assembly .... a simple piece of rope with a handle will do, all you have to do is rewind the rope a few times.. The unit already has the attachment, attached. Secondly, use your drill to mimic the speed and duration that a recoil would work at. Three of 4 sparks at a time is all that's required, you don't have to go 5,720 RPM. Cordless power tools have tremendous torque and can break your wrist quite easily. Find a 1-way socket, it has it's own clutch/// .. about $20. on Amazon. I start all my small engines with a drill, even my chainsaws... but not an impact wrench. Good video.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Great points, thanks for the comment.

[@BudBullets]

Do you have a link to the one way socket? I guess I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Thanks.

[@davidmetcalf1093]

I start my push mower the same way, just use a bigger drill. Good Job !

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks 👍, I appreciate the comment.

[@hillcountrylivin]

That was very impressive. I'm off to see if I can modify my old lawnmower in a similar fashion.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Good luck👍. Thanks for the comment.

[@arthurdunn1452]

Drill where nut thread meets crankshaft thread,drill and tap a thread 10 mm deep to take a high tensile grub screw and the nut will not loosen,definitely not without a ratchet device.Works extremely well!!Australia

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Great idea, with the grub screw, that would take some stress off the bolt. Thanks for taking the time to check in👍

[@metalmicky]

Some flywheel fans are held on with a left handed thread ( it keeps the nut tight when the engine is running ) using the pistol drill can sometime undo the nut and give you a lot of grief.

[@kenniegarner3848]

You did everything the exact way I would have done it, whatever it takes. Great job!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a nice comment.

[@francisconti9085]

Nice little generator actually!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

It has served me pretty well, especially for the price.

[@chrisgoodwin9853]

When I built and raced the Harbor Freight and Briggs engines, we would take the flywheel nut off and repalce it with an extended crank nut. You could use a drill or a starter box to crank it. In a pinch, we would keep a cutoff Briggs 5hp pull start. You still need to cut a small hole in the blower housing for the nut to extend out. Make sure to remove the sharp edges from the hole you made.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Great information, thanks for sharing your experience.

[@johnnichol9412]

First did this some 40 years ago, admittedly with a corded drill back then.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Definitely not new but new to me 👍

[@BADD1ONE]

Ive refurbished 3 gas generators over the years. They run great for a year or so then need more regular carb cleanings. No matter if a fuel filter and shut off is installed. Sea foam helps greatly. Ive moved on to propane. You can store propane for a decade or more. Done with gas.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Great idea, the gasoline of today isn’t a pure petroleum product anymore. Thanks for sharing.

[@integr8er66]

I have one of these, and many others, I'd say about 7 generators right now. They all last forever and never varnish. The trick is before you put it away, shut off the fuel, let it run till it starts to die, put the choke on till it dies and then the fuel is gone enough it won't varnish. I have an off grid cabin and put tens of thousands of hours on cheap little generators I never would have thought could run that long

[@mgilbert754]

A genius in a T-shirt! Who would have thunk it!!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

lol, thanks.

[@TimHollingworth]

That's really a good hack! (As long as you dont need a generator to recharge the dead drill battery.) 😁

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, you do need to have a charged battery =)

[@nowthatsfunny1]

So when power goes out your drill battery is dead and you can't start generator. I'm just kidding. Its a good video.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That would be quite ironic, wouldn't it? I'll make sure I keep one battery charged so I don't have to explain that to the family when the power does go out =)

[@littlewolfendeavors2132]

He will have the generator to charge them up

[@PeterLatterner-gd3fb]

I have used the drill trick, not for starting a small engine but for the purpose of performing a spark test or performing a compression test. A battery powered drill contains a reverse-current diode to quickly bring the drill to a stop when the operating trigger is released. When I use the drill on an engine, the braking effect does havoc on my wrist. A corded drill does not contain a reverse -current diode, so some amount of coasting is allowed when power is removed. This is much more comfortable on my wrist. Another way to resolve the wrist-twisting issue is to use a clutch or ratcheting mechanism. This would be even more necessary when using a drill for engine starting.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Great information, thanks for taking the time to share.

[@woodsie5474]

Let me just warn you that you run the risk of ruining the shaft by constantly using the drill on that nut. Either the nut or the shaft is harder than the other. Either way, you might torque the nut down too much. You might want to build a bridge that goes over it, and attach it outboard and above the shaft nut, attaching it to the flywheel somewhere that will not interfere with the magnets inside for the magneto.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Great point, I made a follow up video that goes over these concerns. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJeXooJ5bpdlZqs

[@JeremyErnsperger]

This is all good if you have a picture hanging drill like harbor freight, hart,or ryobi. But if you have a Dewalt XR or the Milwaukee Fuel I'd like to tell you before you make the same mistake I have. I went ahead and pulled the pull start off a clients junk Husky 300+ dollar 2 year old weedeater and it looks like brand new. I put the nut back on and was cranking it with the Fuel hammer drill which was not on hammer and I did have the clutch set up towards the higher end of the setting to turn it but still not break my wrist and I believe it could. I end up with the threads stripped on the crank to the point where I couldn't even get the nut back off until I finally got it to cross thread off ruined the crank as well. I learned not to do that ever again but also to not by Husqvarna anymore. I have the rough country chainsaw and I treat it right. I don't even use it once a month so I don't fill it up when I do I just try to get close to what I need non-e gas with a little more oil in it but run it out dry before I store it. Drain the gas tank and start it back up and let it run dry. Then your ready to let it sit. Nothing but non-e gas octane doesn't matter. If you have to use ethanol gas 93 contains less ethanol I believe then the lower grades to keep the 93 octane or it burns it better because of the high octane. Just experience that I have years of. I work on small engine's as 😢as side hustle. I am simply good at this

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks for sharing your experience, very helpful.

[@donaldjones3580]

I used a 1/2" drill to start a 4-cylinder hand crank tractor engine on a 1923 Fordson I was restoring to it started while tuning it. Needed a long side handle to offset the torque. Be careful not to over torque that small nut and crack the flywheel.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That sounds like a great application, thanks for sharing.

[@gonsalvesturnings8254]

Great idea for most small engine applications. Emergency generator - not so much. What happens if you get a power outage and you battery drill is not charged?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

It’s a consideration but not a big concern. I have two batteries and one is always on the charger. Also, today’s lithium ion batteries are very good.

[@sheepfeeder]

HF knock out (chassis punch) set would have been handy. Nice little project.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes it would have. Thanks for the comment.

[@davefilicicchia6341]

Did the rope starter have a one-way clutch that would be adaptable to your drill start?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That is possible I’ll have to dig into it next time.

[@johnconnor6725]

Nice, I also have one of those tailgater POS and another brand the same size never tested. I was hoping to see something I could use to convert a little 4 stroke weed eater to electric start. It's not a yard tool anymore but a canoe drive using rc airplane propeller that are only a couple bucks not the $30+ for trolling motor ones.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Great idea for a canoe engine. You should be able to use the same concept. The crank bolt should be right behind the recoil.

[@hosslane320]

You can make a propeller out of a flat piece of stainless steel flat bar 1/8 " thick × 1 3/4 " wide by 6 - 7" long , it don't take a lot of pitch to make it move water .

[@teddypreston5525]

Nice and without fancy film editing. Just what I like. Think you should put a nice rubber grommet over the hole. More esthetically pleasant. Plus the flowing air will have the same volumetric as before & same cooling. Thanks. Nice video.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I'm glad you liked this style of video, thanks or the feedback. A rubber grommet would be a great addition to guard the sharp edge of the hole.

[@VegasGuy89183]

Seeing your problem-solving makes this a great video. But, you need to pick up a 3-pack of step drills the next time you are at HF. They would have made your project so much easier and look better. They're the absolute best way to make holes in sheet metal (or plastic).

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I agree, step drills would be a great addition to the toolbox.

[@daiworkman2084]

These generators are great for those emergencies, you only need a pull cord to start, the pesky rechargalbe tools need electricity to work, I hope yours are fully charged when needed!!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That is definitely a consideration but it hasn't been a problem yet.

[@rmoran9999]

Nice video I did this a while ago with a 212 predator motor and my drill was not spinning it fast enough and it wasn't starting you have to make sure your drill spins it fast enough

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I’m glad you liked the video 👍. I too was surprised at the drill speed required to get the engine started. I’m sure the drill requirements go up significantly with engine displacement.

[@JosephOxbrough]

Air impact gun can’t start my 14.5 Briggs and Stratton

[@TheLawnEngineer]

@@JosephOxbrough that is a lot of cc’s to turn over.

[@chrisbaker2903]

@@TheLawnEngineer Imagine the torque required to turn over my 5.9 liter diesel where each 60 cubic inch cylinder has a 17.8/1 compression ratio

[@TheLawnEngineer]

@@chrisbaker2903 Yes, I don't think my DeWalt drill would be able to turn that beast over. In the early 2000s I had a Suburban with the 6.2L non-turbo diesel. I believe those are 22:1 and it turned over very slowly, especially in winter.

[@capiberra4118]

Did this to my lawnboy lawn mower a couple of years ago.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Is that an older one with the offset front wheel? I like those, cut really well.

[@godawgs689]

I use an angle grinder with a flap wheel. It's held up for over 5 years now.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Great idea, thanks for sharing.

[@controlissues]

As someone else alluded to, you've now taken your emergency power source and made it dependent on electricity to start. Hopefully when the next emergency need comes up you haven't allowed your drill battery to be drained.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

It’s definitely a consideration.

[@TiredOldMann]

5/20/24 calling . A 300 watt solar panel with inverter would charge most / all modern tool batteries .

[@onmyworkbench7000]

We have been starting model airplanes like that for YEARS and I have used it to start other motors.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Interesting add, thanks for sharing.

[@SuperLittleTyke]

Ingenious. But why 2-stroke and not 4-stroke?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

You can do the same thing with 4 stroke but they normally start a little easier and the rope isn’t such a burden.

[@RobertHamm-u7c]

Excellent idea. But will it work with all of the other generators?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

You can make it work with almost any generator or small engine. There are some reasons you may not want to, check this out for that discussion:kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJeXooJ5bpdlZqs

[@mattharvey8712]

Bravo.....ok........clever.........they used to crank model T 's.......airplanes........use a air starter and then u will have a compressor as a bye product .....cheers.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Too bad I missed the crank start car era, it looked like dangerous fun...probably make it more difficult for someone to steal your car too.

[@ourv9603]

I got you one even better than that. I chucked all my gas lawn tools & swapped them all out for ELECTRICS. No yanking, no choking, no fueling, no oil changing, no running to fill the gas can, no hard starts, no stalling. No smokin, no stink, no noise. I never knew life could be so good!!! !

[@garysgarage.2841]

If you have a small yard electric will probably work. A half acre or bigger your not gonna like electric the battery won't get the job done weed wackers and leaf blowers suck a battery pretty quickly. Their hard on batteries also last time I checked a decent sized battery for a weed wacker cost about the same as a small gas powered weed wacker and you'll need several batteries if you have a large piece of property so you can keep swapping them out when they go dead.

[@JoeSmith-rg3vz]

Battery worked great till my power went down. My ev car couldn't even make it to town to by gas for my generator. And of course my solar panels weren't getting any sun now what ?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I agree, the user experience is vastly better with high quality battery electric tools. There are still some nichs uses that gasoline is better but quickly disappearing.

[@totallyrandomstuffandrevie9609]

Bet that works great for your generator when power goes out

[@francisconti9085]

I'm poor, I can't pay for all the batteries needed to get work done, then replacing batteries when I can afford 4x the gas equipment maintained right...

[@peterbarlow8912]

Spring for a step drill bit for thin sheet metal!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Absolutely agree, I need one.

[@nigelkavanagh2048]

Handy tip thank you.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

You’re welcome 👍

[@liberaljoe]

What happens when you have to start the generator to charge your dead drill batteries? Great idea though.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I guess you are out of luck then 🫣

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Remember, don't run engine for more than a minute with the cooling fan shroud removed, the engine will be overheated.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, great reminder.

[@MICHAEL-ys3pu]

The rope is always in place, don’t have to go and get the drill, find the socket, hope the battery is not flat. Just use the rope, that’s what its for.🇦🇺

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That’s one way to look at it…if it works for you, great.

[@vernonmarsh]

I love ingenuity.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks for the comment.

[@PeterEmery]

A step drill bit would have been ideal for that centre hole.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, I agree.

[@abbieabbie6818]

Can do that with my lawn mower? The pull start broke.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, some concept will work.

[@danielploy9143]

Interesting, looks like you put the drill in reverse then it started. Did you put the drill in reverse?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I think I did accidentally have the wrong direction at one point. However, this is a 2 stroke engine so it will run in either direction. The cooling fan is designed to run clockwise so don't want to intentionally run counter.

[@axeman33333]

Did this on my pressure washer and twisted crank shaft bolt off.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes that can happen. I discuss that in this video: Watch this Before Converting Engine to Drill Start kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJeXooJ5bpdlZqs

[@hunterdoncanady]

lol that thing had spark, you just didnt have it in drill mode and it was hammering and didnt want to look dumb

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I actually used an impact driver first and completely agree, that is the wrong tool. Then I messed with the plug wire and it fell apart. You should subscribe and watch more videos to see more dumb things I do.

[@markharwell8793]

Nice job!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thank you!

[@Realgrande]

Genius, Pure Genius!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thank you for the nice comment.

[@robertduncan2742]

Just a thought why can't one take a old stater and use a belt connected to a clutch like that's used on snow mobiles but smaller, connecting the clutch to the dc shaft and mounting a small pulley to the engine. Just a thought I had

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That could work👍

[@davidhollfelder9940]

Use a 1-way clutch on the drill, so when it starts, it won’t wing the drill out of your hand, and maybe taking your fingers, or wrist out with it.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes great add.

[@tim5158]

Hope your drill battery never dies !

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Possible but I have two and one is always on the charger.

[@redfields5070]

Small engine repair businesses have been doing this for ages.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, I'm definitely not the first to do this.

[@jeff5279]

Remove the pull starter assembly. Take a Forstner Bit and drill the center of the cover. Reattach the cover. This is what I did to my push mower when the pull start broke.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes a Forstner bit would have made quick work of this 👍

[@Backstabbio]

Careful when you do this with a four cycle-if you don’t pull the socket off quick, it can send your drill on a flight, with your arm attached…

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Absolutely right. I made a follow up video here: Watch this Before Converting Engine to Drill Start kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJeXooJ5bpdlZqs

[@ronb6182]

I think this should be left to do on 2 cycle engines four cycle engines have a compression state when it's hard to get past that point. Two cycle engines are much easier to pull and the fly wheel movers more freely. I have an old lawn boy mower I would like to try this. All these new mowers don't have the placement of the wheels is the right place. The old days the front wheels were in two different places. The rearars like they are today. The front wheels had one in the front end the one on the right were about one third back for mowing uneven yards. I sure miss that in a mower . 73

[@ToddP]

As an old machinist, I have always been aggravated at manufacturers of pull start engines for not having a hex or allen head shaft end coming thru the housing to use a drill! I hate yanking on a Stihl chainsaw or a weedeater!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That would be very handy, thanks for sharing.

[@paulciprus9582]

Been there done that….😀

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I was definitely not the first 👍

[@chrisbaker2903]

I noticed right off that you left the air flow shroud off over the flywheel. Probably not a good idea as those fins on the flywheel and the shroud direct cooling air to the engine. OK, I see you realized the cooling issue. Cool! All that drilling why not use a hole saw attachment on your drill. Probably would have gone right through that inner mount for the recoil starter too. I like your video because I have exactly the same generator. I have a couple of larger ones I plan to convert too. If those work as well, I'm considering a minibike to put over to my local grocery store with a bike trailer hooked on behind to get my groceries instead of driving my 1 ton dodge diesel pickup.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks for checking in Chris. The only reason for not using a hole saw is I don’t have one of the appropriate size. I would really like to know how the harbor freight mini bike works out, please check back.

[@chrisbaker2903]

@@TheLawnEngineer I was thinkin of Tractor Supply and their Coleman bikes.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

@@chrisbaker2903 That makes more sense. Those little bikes do look fun to play around with. I have a Honda 50cc trail bike growing up...lots of good memories.

[@chrisbaker2903]

@@TheLawnEngineer Thanks. I've also got a predator engine from HF and I am considering mounting it so that it can turn a 12 VDC (nominal, usually about 13.8) alternator from a car to power my amateur radios during Field Day. It is irritating to my sensibilities to generate house voltage and current and then convert it to 12 VDC to run DC appliances. It's not an efficient process.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

@@chrisbaker2903 that sounds like a good idea. Are you going to include something for capacitance like a battery? I often wonder if we are going to go back to DC to some degree within homes. With LEDs and battery charging we are using quite a bit of direct current electricity.

[@taylormach1699]

I did that with an old 1963 LI GRAVELY walk behind tractor. 1/2 inch drive drill or bigger , HOLD ON TIGHT.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Hold on tight is right!

[@ConcernedCitizen-ut9fi]

Great idea

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Glad you think so!

[@stevej00]

Did I see the engine being cranked in two different directions?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Very possible, I’m far from perfect.

[@stevej00]

@@TheLawnEngineer as am I. The only way I knew I did it backwards was the nut came off. My nut went flying and I spent too long looking for it. 😂

[@NickAbbot.]

What happens when you need to charge your drill battery during a power outage?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That’s a consideration but it uses very little of the battery to start the generator. I’m more likely to be out of gas than have a dead drill battery.

[@Pushyhog]

thanks mister

[@TheLawnEngineer]

You're welcome, thanks for the comment.

[@FirstIrishKing]

Good Job.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks!

[@rogerbrandt6678]

What about one that has compression release.? This will never work on bigger engines.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

No, it won’t work on everything, but larger drills are available. Also, large engines usually have electric start.

[@rogerbrandt6678]

@@TheLawnEngineer yeah some engines have something to do with compression would make it impossible to, but I will try it.

[@patrickday4206]

I did this for years to start my wacker 😂

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Those whackers can be a pain!

[@SeeLifeBro]

A little starter fluid goes a long way with these cheap generators.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I bet that would help

[@electromech7335]

I squirt some start fluid in the intake holes and wait a little for it to vaporize then start it.

[@garysgarage.2841]

I tried this one time when my mower rope broke. Well ended up breaking the transmission in my drill so at the end of the day I had a broken mower and a broken drill that cost more to fix then it was worth.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That sounds like a bad day, thanks for sharing so others can understand what can happen.

[@marcosrubino7003]

I did something similar with my walk behind mower, but being safety conscious I used an overrunning clutch between the drill and the crankshaft. That way when the engine revs faster than the drill it won't damage my wrist nor the drill. An inexpensive 1/2 inch Torrington clutch does the job well enough.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, good idea to use a clutch device especially on bigger engines.

[@roberttaylor2616]

Speaking from experience you will strip the threads of the end of the crank, then after more tinkering you might break off the end of the crankshaft. Ask my weed eater (stihl) 😮😢

[@TheLawnEngineer]

@@roberttaylor2616 Yes, that is a possibility. I did a follow up video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJeXooJ5bpdlZqs

[@RoniPlasse]

Use a circular drill bit from the outside

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, that would have worked great.

[@allegory7638]

Think I'd just fix the pull rope.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That’s definitely an option.

[@ham1009]

This is not a new thought, actually a company back in the seventies made a rubber adapter that went in the place of your pull start and you also had one for a drill. All you needed was to plug your drill in reach down with your adapter rubber socket your engine started with little fuss. My father had these and several of his lawn mowers. Not new just forgotten. Actually I still have one those setups. I think they were actually sold in popular mechanics a magazine to all you young people.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks for the perspective, only thing new is better batteries for our cordless tools 👍

[@marauder2525]

Good info...Thanks. But, where are your safety glasses?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

You’re welcome!

[@paulsarah006]

You will cry when the drill stips out the crankshaft nut and the flywheel drops of it can not take the load on most engines

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Good point, I made a follow up video Watch this Before Converting Engine to Drill Start kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJeXooJ5bpdlZqs

[@ecgoudy]

Tried this with my harbor freight predator post hole digger that would never start and broke the bolt off the crank these are not made for this type of torque on that nut

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, that is definitely a risk. Out of curiosity, were you using a impact driver or a drill? I know the impact drivers hit pretty hard.

[@mikesalive]

A motor that will never start will never start.

[@Papa-sm1wk]

I'm in my sixties with arthritis and bursitis in both shoulders. I got to try this. Plus, I'm lazy.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I’m glad I could inspire you in some small way. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@hububa]

Not terrible!

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I'll take that =)

[@cr-us9ch]

well, as long as your drill battery isnt run down where you need the generator to charge the battery that you need to start the generator

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I have a backup, but yes that must be accounted for.

[@nwestark]

What do you do if your power is out and your battery is dead?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That is possible but very unlikely.

[@klatuveradanikto]

My job requires me to have several cordless tools. I stick to the same brand and have several charged batteries on hand at all times.

[@Dbjones33-ej2dt]

Excellent video. Maybe Safety glasses to spare your eyes in case micro splinters are flying?

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes I could wear my safety glasses more. Thanks for checking in 👍.

[@User-drg1042]

How ya gonna charge yout batteries

[@TheLawnEngineer]

That is a consideration but it’s never been a problem.

[@theosgrandpa]

I've done that several times and when the engine started it turns faster than the drill, and the nut will come off the flywheel

[@TheLawnEngineer]

A ratchet adapter on the drill will allow the engine to over speed the drill 👍

[@neilwoodmansey9109]

yeah, works better when the drill isn't on the "Hammer" setting, hahaha

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yeah, that’s no good 🙃

[@neilwoodmansey9109]

@@TheLawnEngineer 😂

[@robsarchery9679]

nice

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

DON'T expect much out of that thing, been there done that LOL

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I am definitely not singing the praises of this generator but it's actually been slightly better than garbage.

[@BillGill-v8n]

Very good video but you should wear safety glasses

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, you are right. I’ll be better.

[@David_7-n3q]

Thanks for that, very helpful; but you should be wearing safety glasses.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Yes, you are right. Thanks for the comment.

[@Rompastompa71]

I`m Sure Your Wife Loves Your Eyes.... Wear Some Safety Glasses Dude. Besides That, Great Video.💪

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Thanks! Will do!

[@bdmitx]

It will loosen the bolt that holds the flywheel in place ! (Nut)

[@TheLawnEngineer]

I did a follow up video covering these points Watch this Before Converting Engine to Drill Start kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJeXooJ5bpdlZqs

[@integr8er66]

Actually no matter what kind of generator you buy, the more you use it the longer it will last. I have a champion china generator that has well over 10,000 hrs on it, and it doesn't even use any oil.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Great information, thanks for sharing.

[@markorsrpska7230]

Unfortunately, most pull start engines don't have a center bolt but some weird three tooth assembly that is part of the clutch mechanism, so your idea will work on 1% of the small engines on the market, ie only small electric generators.

[@TheLawnEngineer]

Fair point but 1% is unfairly low.

[@markorsrpska7230]

@@TheLawnEngineer It's guesstimate I pulled out of a hat. It can be 5,10% or more. I tried to do it with my grass trimmer a long time ago, but without major surgery it's "No way, Jose". Cheers ..