Using an impact screwdriver

[Carbonkid85]

Hello all

I am currently refitting an espresso machine which has been somewhat neglected. My progress is currently being thwarted by a single screw which just won't budge. So far I have tried the following:

- Screwdriver
- WD40, screwdriver
- WD40 overnight, screwdriver
- Blow torch, screwdriver
- WD40, blow torch, screwdriver

No luck! A quick google of the problem found others who had the same problem with exactly the same screw and they had had some luck with an impact screwdriver. I ordered one like this (http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=14364) which came today and I am still not getting anywhere.

It really doesn't seem like I could be doing anything wrong, but I just wanted to check. Bit goes in the chuck, screwdriver put in place, screwdriver bashed with hammer.

I think I'm hitting it pretty hard, but I don't want to break anything (apart from the blessed screw, that would be fine!). Is there a trick to getting these things to work? Or is my entire project doomed by a SINGLE SCREW which I simply cannot budge...?

I would really appreciate any pointers, tips, tricks, magic, sorcery or otherwise.

 

[Burnerman]

Hammer type impact drivers are a waste of time, frankly.....if you aren't bothered about breaking the screw, why not drill the head off?
If thats unacceptable, you need to borrow a battery impact driver, if possible.
John

 

[big-all]

not the impact driver i was expecting
i have one off these and its great
http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...=X&ei=Vb3oT4aHENS6hAexn-jSCQ&ved=0CIUBEPICMAE

have you tried hitting yours with a hammer??
assuming thats the way it works

 

[Symptoms]

kid - I've only ever used impact screwdrivers on cars and motorbikes where the item being attended to is held in a solid frame or block of some discription. When the driver is struck the force isn't disapated by the 'background' holding the screw/bolt sort of bouncing. Oh, and you have to give the tool a decent belt with a hammer so if your machine is a flimsy or light fabrication I doubt it would work.

Check you've got the tool set correctly on its ratchet so that it's action undoes the screw and doesn't tighten it.

Consider using a screw extractor ... a tapered left-hand spiral tool designed for the job.

 

[Carbonkid85]

Thanks all for the input. I bought it hastily due to amazon reviews which were pretty unanimous. they were all "oooh I used this as a last resort and it completely saved my life!"

Well I used it as a last resort AND IT FAILED ME. Might try to staple to package back together and cheekily post it back to Amazon

The idea that the component would need to be in its frame makes a lot of sense. I tried bolting it back in place, but the way that the frame is constructed makes it impossible to get a hammer in there.

I think drilling it out is the only way forward. Given that I don't own a drill, nor know how to drill a screw out, it's probably best that I find someone with a workshop who can do this for a few quid!

 

[big-all]

wise move
its an easy job for someone with the correct tools

 

[Carbonkid85]

Incidentally, I know this probably isn't the place for such requests, but is anyone aware of some kind of odd-jobs marketplace where I might be able to find someone?

Gumtree has come up blank...

 

[big-all]

Incidentally, I know this probably isn't the place for such requests, but is anyone aware of some kind of odd-jobs marketplace where I might be able to find someone?

Gumtree has come up blank...

yes you will get several people that will "give it a go" but ideally you need someone with mechanical skills and tools

 

[wotan]

Can you get a dremmel with cutting disc to the screw?
if so cut a screwdriver slot, and use the longest screwdriver you have (long screwdrivers have more torque)

Wotan

 

[StephenW]

I have an impact driver like the one you bought. It was an esential tool when working on earlier Japanese motorbikes where the engine covers were held on with cross-head screws made of cheese.
As has been said, it might not work on your application if it isn't solid enough to take the impact but the method for using it is: press the driver down onto the floor/bench/wall/etc. and check that it turns anti-clockwise. It only turns about 1/16 of a turn. Place the driver into the screw and turn it anticlockwise as if undoing the screw. This takes up any slack. Then give it a decent whack with a club hammer, enough to activate the push-and-turn. The reason it works is that it only tries to turn it a small amount whereas most of the force is into the screw, preventing the driver from slipping/cam-ing out.

 

[RigidRaider]

Wot he said.

Frustrating though isn't it, when the whole job gets held up because of one stuck component? There's a book about this, it's called Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. He calls your problem "stuckness".

 

[ladylola]

On stubborn screws I find that trying to tighten it first is very often a good idea as it cracks any sort of bond without damaging the removal sides of the screws slots.