Quite often during plumbing work you have to deal with rusted bolts, screws, and self-tapping screws. An attempt to use a regular screwdriver either does not lead to success, or entails the risk of tearing off the screw slot or damaging the tip of the tool. Particularly difficult is unscrewing steel bolts from aluminum parts, since over time corrosion makes such a connection practically inseparable, and the materials “stick” to each other.
To solve such problems, a tool called an impact screwdriver was invented.
The history of the impact screwdriver
The simplest impact screwdriver is a tool with a monolithic core, starting with a sting and ending with a massive heel on the handle. Such a screwdriver, which had a handle with two wooden overlays, has been known to everyone since Soviet times.
In modern models, near the tip or on the handle, the core has a hexagon, which allows you to transmit rotational force from the key. It is recommended that two people use this tool. One person holds the tip in the screw slot and creates wrench torque. The partner strikes the back of the handle with a hammer.
In using this tool there are two main disadvantages:
- Only the two of them can work effectively.
- There is no conversion of impact energy into torque. Hitting with a hammer only promotes unscrewing because it helps break up the rust and creates vibration.
To eliminate these shortcomings, an impact screwdriver was created. This tool is already a mechanism that allows you to transform the impact force into a rotational movement of the tip.
Impact screwdriver mechanism, operating principle
Hereinafter, by the term “impact screwdriver” we mean impact screwdriver, since this is the name assigned to this instrument.
The impact-rotating mechanism is located in the handle. The tip is rigidly connected to a gear having oblique teeth. The handle is a clip with reciprocal teeth. When a hammer hits the heel of the handle, the clip moves along its axis and imparts a rotational movement to the sting through a gear transmission. The rotation is only a few degrees, but this is enough to loosen the connection and complete unscrewing with a regular tool. After the hammer hits, the clip returns to its original position using a spring.
Work with such a tool quite simple. The mechanism provides a combined translational and rotational force on the screw slot, which is most effective for successfully unscrewing stubborn threaded connections.
Types of impact screwdrivers
Available models may vary technical characteristics and complete set. Let's take a closer look at these differences.
Specifications
Here we will not consider the quality of workmanship and reliability of the materials used. It is clear that models from well-known manufacturers are made of the “correct” steel, which has the necessary hardness and strength.
It will be more important to note that more advanced models equipped with reverse. They allow you not only to unscrew rusty connections, but also to firmly tighten the screw where the structure being fastened requires it.
Another important point is the design of the handle, which serves as a handle for holding and the body of the mechanism.
The steel body is the most reliable and allows clearly control the work process and optimally dose efforts.
If a pad made of polyurethane, rubber or polyethylene is placed on the steel body, the screwdriver is much more convenient to hold. When the overlay has a bulge in the heel area, operational safety increases. Manufacturers can take one of two paths:
- The dimensions of the case remain unchanged. The tool is highly reliable, but is not suitable for use in hard to reach places and cramped conditions.
- In order to increase ease of use, the dimensions of the metal case are reduced, which negatively affects the reliability of the tool.
Choice of the most suitable option remains with the buyer.
Equipment
It is inefficient to produce a separate impact driver for each slot. Most often the tool means use of universal nozzles. The screwdriver is equipped with a chuck holder for standard bits. The kit may contain either a pair of attachments or a decent set.
There are a wide variety of attachments for various splines and hexagons on sale. When purchasing them special attention should be given to the quality of workmanship. Quality and reliability are especially important due to impact loads.
Advantages and disadvantages of an impact screwdriver
The most important advantages impact screwdriver are:
- Efficiency of impact energy use.
- Significantly lower impact force required. Regular impact screwdriver without rotary mechanism requires both stronger blows and a greater number of them.
- Can be used by one person.
The disadvantages are not that significant at correct operation, but it’s also important to remember them:
- Risk of breaking the impact-rotating mechanism. The simplest impact screwdriver has many times greater survivability due to its monolithic design. Avoid hitting the impact driver too hard.
- Mechanism wear. Gear teeth and races are subject to friction associated with shock loads. During operation, their resource decreases.
Rules for using an impact screwdriver
To simplify the unscrewing process as much as possible, you need to follow some simple rules:
If the tool has a reverse, some experts recommend that after the first displacement of the screw head, set the tightening mode and make a couple of blows, and then unscrew the hardware again. This is explained by the fact that with this approach, rust is removed from the thread even better.
It is important to follow safety precautions:
- Use good work gloves or non-slip gloves to hold the handle.
- Do not hit too hard. A hammer weighing up to 500 grams is quite suitable.
- Strikes should be delivered lightly. Do not tilt the hammer, otherwise the hammer may slip off the screwdriver.
Videos widely available on the Internet will help you learn how to use an impact screwdriver.
Impact screwdriver vs impact driver
It is important to remember that an impact driver and an impact driver are not a replacement for each other. The screwdriver also imparts impact force in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. This, by the way, is what distinguishes it from impact drill, which creates shock loads along the axis of rotation. However, a screwdriver only facilitates the process of unscrewing and tightening an already rotating screw.
These tools perform completely different tasks:
- An impact-turn screwdriver is designed for the initial “breaking” of a “stuck” screw from its place.
- An impact screwdriver is designed to reduce the required pressure on the tool during operation.
After learning the features of impact screwdrivers, it is recommended to watch videos that provide reviews various models. This will help you make the right choice when purchasing and become the owner of a useful and reliable tool.
In order to make an impact screwdriver from a starter with your own hands, you will need:
* Angle grinder, cutting wheel, safety glasses, gloves
* Bench vice
* Faulty car starter
* Old socket wrench
* Metal pipe with a diameter equal to the diameter of the bendix
* Metal lathe, through cutter
* A pair of small springs
* Metal washer
* Welding machine, welding mask, leggings
* Drilling machine, metal drill with a diameter of 5 mm
* Tap with M6 thread
* Kern
* Bolt M6
* Boring cutter
* Small hammer
* Masking tape
* A can of hammer paint
Step one.
The first step is to disassemble the faulty starter from the car, only two parts are needed from it,
this is the armature of the electric motor and the bendix, on which the principle of unscrewing will be based. You can purchase a non-working starter at a metal acceptance shop, for which they will ask for pennies compared to buying a factory-made version of an impact screwdriver.
You need to remove the rod from the anchor itself; this can be done using a press or a powerful bench vice. You can also knock out the anchor with hammer blows, but in this case there is a risk of deforming it, so I do not recommend this method. So, we clamp the anchor in a vice and squeeze out the rod; after it has completely come out, we move on to the next step.
Step two.
Now you need a part with splines from the Bendix; it can be sawed off using an angle grinder with an installed cutting disc, and then modify it to lathe to the right size. When working with an angle grinder, be careful; you must hold the power tool firmly in your hands, and do not forget about safety glasses and gloves. The splined part will subsequently fit onto the shaft and transfer rotation to it from the impact.
Step three.
In order to be able to install various heads on this screwdriver, you need to cut off the tetrahedral part from the driver using an angle grinder.
The base of the screwdriver was a round metal blank, in which a step was made for installing the splined part from the Bendix using a lathe and a boring cutter.
If you do not have a lathe, then the base can be made from a pipe of a suitable diameter, preferably with a wall thickness of at least 2 mm. This is what the assembled tool will look like.
Step four.
To fix the rod, clamp the base in a vice and use drilling machine drill a hole with a diameter of 5 mm for the bolt.
Next, we clamp the part in a vice on a workbench and, using a tap, cut a thread for an M6 bolt; during the threading process, we add a special lubricant that will reduce the wear of the tap.
After this, we check how the bolt is screwed in by hand.
Milling needs to be done on the rod itself, since milling machine no, we tighten the part in a vice and use an angle grinder to make a small groove that will prevent the rod from falling out freely.
Step five.
The time has come welding work. We install the splined part into the base and fix it in a vice, then use a welding machine to weld the parts together. When working with welding machine use the means personal protection, welding mask and leggings.
After this, we tap the seam to remove any slag formed during the welding process.
Let the part cool a little, then clamp it into the three-jaw chuck of the lathe and remove the weld marks using a through cutter.
The result is a foundation like this.
Step six.
We clamp the rod with the tetrahedron on it in a vice and use a welding machine to weld them to each other, then tap the slag with a hammer and use a lathe to remove the unevenness of the weld.
As it turned out, during testing it was revealed that when the hammer hit the shaft, it jammed a little at the base; in this case, the springs could not push it back out. This problem was solved by installing an additional thick washer, which was welded close to the splines and then turned on a lathe.
We assemble all the parts into a single structure, then move on to painting it.
Using a can of hammer paint we transform our homemade instrument, the tetrahedron and spline part are covered with masking tape in advance.
After the paint has dried, we get such a very nice impact screwdriver, all that remains is to install a ball with a spring to fix the attachments, and replace the regular bolt with a bolt with a countersunk head.
Having trouble unscrewing rusted bolts? I suggest you try to make a screwdriver yourself that will allow you to unscrew almost anything!
Sometimes there are times when it is necessary to unscrew a heavily rusted bolt or, for example, screws with torn edges. You can't do this with a regular tool. And now such a simple tool will come to your aid, which you can easily make yourself. I will tell you how to do it using the example of a rotor from a faulty Zaporozhets electric starter.
First of all, we cut off the part of the rotor shaft on which the winding is located (see photo 1), and then, with the remaining part, we remove all excess.
As a result, we only get the shaft and bushing (see photo 2).
We put a piece of pipe on the sleeve, which will serve as a handle. At the other end, we insert a plug into the tube from a piece of a large bolt, which will not allow the handle to deform due to blows with a hammer and at the same time limit the movement of the shaft inside this sleeve (see photo 3).
Then, using electric welding, we weld all the parts (see photo 4).
We sharpen the end of the shaft into a square shape so that it is possible to put on different heads (for bolts). If you need to unscrew a screw, you must insert the appropriate bit into the head. The principle of operation of the screwdriver is simple: when you hit the end of the handle with a hammer, the shaft begins to rotate slightly on the oblique slots inside the handle. This is quite enough for the dried bolt to come loose.
Due to the fact that all parts of the electric starter are made of high-quality steel (need to be cut with a grinder), the screwdriver is quite powerful and durable. You should not hit the handle hard with a hammer, because the heads of the screws or bolts will break off. And in order for the splines to serve you faithfully for a long time, they must be constantly lubricated.
Note! To make this screwdriver, an old starter from almost any passenger car. And the larger it is, the more powerful your instrument will be.
Corrosion is one of the most adverse effects to which all metal materials, including fastening elements. Often in the process of unscrewing bolts, screws or screws, you have to face the fact that these elements simply cannot be moved from their place. In order not to damage the tool used to unscrew the fastener, you need to choose the appropriate approach. A regular screwdriver is not able to deal with rusted or stuck joints, so the only option left is to use an impact screwdriver.
Features of the functioning of impact screwdrivers
The tool discussed in the material also has a name such as an impact screwdriver. It is a product equipped with a monolithic core. The main difference between this device and a regular screwdriver is the reinforced metal body, which is resistant to hammer blows. Only high-quality alloy steel is used to manufacture impact screwdrivers.
Before you find out how the tool works, you should understand design features. The tip of the product runs through the entire length of the structure from the working slots to the heel of the handle. The rotation of the tip is carried out due to the splines, which are set in motion with each blow of the hammer. The impact-rotating mechanism is located in the handle of the product. The tip is connected to a helical gear. The handle in the form of a clip has teeth of a similar design. Hammer blows are applied directly to the heel, located on back side devices. The tool is used not only for unscrewing oxidized or rusted fasteners, but also for checking their screwing.
Design diagram of an impact screwdriver
The operating principle of impact-type screwdrivers is that when you hit the handle with a hammer, the clip moves. Through this movement, torque is transmitted to the tip through a gear train. Each time the hammer strikes the heel, there is a slight movement of the tip, which is enough to weaken the strength of the joint. After loosening this connection, you can use a regular screwdriver to completely unscrew the hardware element.
The device does not have any complex elements, so it is very convenient to unscrew fasteners that cannot be unscrewed with standard tools. Their advantage is not only the gradual movement of the sting when striking the handle, but also the inability to lick off the head of the fastener.
Technical Parameters of Impact Screwdriver
Each manufacturer strives to make their product not only high-quality, but also multifunctional. Impact screwdriver, depending on technical features and configuration, is determined by the following characteristics:
- Reverse. A good tool will definitely have a reversible design. This function is not always needed, which is why they are absent on products from the USSR era. The presence of reverse affects the cost of the tool, but is not always justified by necessity
- Material of manufacture. Products from the times of the USSR were made of steel, and in this form they went on sale. Modern models are rarely found without a surface coating, which is polyurethane, rubber or polyethylene. Availability of coverage metal base provides not only additional protection for the tool, but also eliminates the possibility of slipping and injury electric shock when working with electrical devices
- Lever. The role of the handle in a conventional tool is to apply physical force. In an impact screwdriver, the role of the handle is slightly different - it is integral part impact-rotating mechanism, and is also intended to hold the product during work
This is interesting! Every home handyman has encountered a situation where a fastening connection cannot be unscrewed. Typically, this situation is familiar to car owners when the rusty bolt securing the door canopies cannot be unscrewed. For such purposes, a special bit is put on the impact screwdriver, which performs the corresponding actions.
Impact rotary devices are supplied with several options for replacement bits. Moreover, manufacturers complete their tools not only with Phillips and flat bits, but also with hexagons and an asterisk. Bits with different diameters do not have to be included in the set with the product, since ordinary bits from standard screwdrivers are suitable for such a screwdriver.
What are percussion instruments for? Everyone can answer this question independently as soon as they use the product. These tools will always come in handy if you have them in your arsenal. home handyman. If there is an urgent need to use a tool, but have not yet had time to buy it, then for this there is the possibility of making an impact screwdriver with your own hands.
How to make an impact screwdriver with your own hands
Many people probably already have a homemade impact screwdriver in their arsenal of tools. You can do it yourself without much effort. To make a homemade product you will need only one part - the car starter mechanism.
It is this mechanism that is best suited for the manufacture of such a tool. The process of making a tool with your own hands in the form step by step instructions described below:
- From a car starter you only need a shaft. You need to remove the rotor part from the shaft, for which you will need a grinder
DIY impact screwdriver from a car starter: cutting off the rotor winding
- The shaft and bushing that remain after removing the winding will form the basis of the future tool
Necessary elements for making a tool
- The tool is almost ready to use. All that remains is to make the handle and heel, for which you will need a piece of pipe. An impact heel is made from a large diameter bolt. The bolt head is used as a heel
Additional parts for manufacturing - a piece of pipe and a bolt
- To combine all these elements, you need to use a welding machine. After welding the pipe and bolt to the shaft, final stage wrap the resulting handle with electrical tape
Ready tool
The percussion instrument is now ready for use. As you can see, making it with your own hands is not difficult. Disadvantage homemade device is an unpresentable appearance, as well as the lack of reverse.
Using the tool and how to use it correctly
Before using the device, it is necessary to pre-treat the fastening joint with brake fluid, solvent or WD-40. These liquids corrode rust, so their use will not only make the unscrewing process easier, but also speed it up.
After this, a percussion instrument is taken, into which it is installed required type and bit diameter. The tool should be positioned exclusively parallel to the leg of the hardware. Light blows are made with a hammer on the end of the device, holding it in one hand, and holding the device by the handle with the other.
To increase the effectiveness of your actions, you need to hold the tool tightly. As soon as the fastening of the hardware begins to loosen, continue striking the tool until the hardware is unscrewed with a regular screwdriver.
The effectiveness of the work performed also depends on the quality of the tool. Cheap options are aimed only at unscrewing small hardware products, so when choosing, be sure to focus on which fasteners you plan to unscrew.
When working with a tool, it is important to follow the safety rules:
- Work is performed with gloves
- Using a hammer weighing up to 0.5 kg
- The blows are applied easily, as this is enough to set the hardware product in motion. If you miss and the blow lands on a finger or hand, the master will receive a minor injury
Advantages and disadvantages
Having analyzed a tool such as an impact screwdriver, you should note all its advantages and disadvantages. Based on these criteria, appropriate conclusions can be drawn about the benefits and necessity of such a device.
Today, an impact screwdriver is a very popular tool not only in construction, but also for work at home. It will be simply irreplaceable in those situations when you need to unscrew a tightly “welded” screw. An ordinary screwdriver in this case simply cannot help you, but an impact screwdriver is a completely different matter.
What kind of instrument is this
If you look visually, there are very few similarities with the screwdriver we are used to. This model has a metal body, which makes it more durable and can even withstand strong hammer blows.
An impact screwdriver set usually comes with two bits: a flathead and a Phillips. The connecting part where these nozzles are installed has the shape of a square. In fact, this is very convenient for the reason that you can attach socket heads to it, which will give you the opportunity to special effort work with bolts, self-tapping screws and self-tapping screws. This is especially good for that category of people who constantly repair cars.
Using an impact screwdriver, you can not only unscrew the fasteners, but also install new ones in their place. It is worth noting that this tool screws in parts “for centuries.” Believe me, you will not be able to unscrew the bolt with a regular screwdriver.
Impact screwdriver principle: how it works
The principle of operation of the tool is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. When the hammer hits the butt, bottom part begins to rotate with such force, which is quite enough for the nozzle to cope with the most durable fasteners.
Brief instructions:
- In order to make your task a little easier, before starting work, you can slightly lubricate the fasteners with a rag pre-moistened with brake fluid.
- Next, take our screwdriver and install it perpendicular to the head of the hardware.
- We take a hammer in our hands and hit the end of the tool with all our might.
After the fastener begins to rotate around its axis, give it a few more blows with a hammer. This is necessary so that the screwdriver switches back to the “twisting” mode. As you can see, it's not that hard to figure out how to use an impact screwdriver.
Making your own impact screwdriver
Oddly enough, making this one is quite useful tool can be done at home without much effort. The main thing is to understand how an impact screwdriver works, then the work will go much easier.
Let's get started:
- Prepare a rotor taken from an electric motor (small). Everything needs to be cut off from it so that only the shaft and bushing remain.
- Take the bushing and select a piece metal pipe, which is the right size to put on her. This will be our handle.
- WITH reverse side you will need to insert a larger nut. This will give the handle strength and not break under a strong blow with a hammer.
- We weld all the parts together.
- We sharpen the end of the shaft thoroughly so that it takes on a square shape.
Our homemade tool is ready. You just need to put in a little effort, and believe me, the impact screwdriver will turn out just as good as any store-bought model.
Advantages
- Has a reinforced body made of steel.
- Significantly larger than a regular screwdriver.
- Has a torsion switch. This is very convenient if you need to tightly tighten a bolt or unscrew a rusty part.
- Using an impact screwdriver is absolutely safe for humans. It cannot hurt you or cause you any other damage.
- It is possible to change attachments, depending on the case. With only one tool at home, you will always have both a cross-shaped and a flat attachment at hand.
- You can make it at home without much effort, and this is a significant cost savings.
- Can be used not only in construction work, but also repairs related to the car.
There are times when you need to unscrew heavily rusted fasteners. What to do in this situation, because household tools do not cope well with this task. All you need is an impact driver. It's hard to believe that she is able to unscrew an outdated part.
Wet the bolt with a small amount of brake fluid and see how easily the part comes off. Of course, it happens that this doesn’t help either. There is no need to despair. Moisten again with the fluid you use for the car's brake system and leave for several hours. After that, you can use an impact screwdriver to do the necessary work.
The tool can be purchased at the store or made at home. In any case, in addition to the body, you will need additional attachments. This will save you from unnecessary tools. Imagine how nice it is when instead of ten screwdrivers in a drawer there is only one - an impact driver, and it comes with attachments that will help you in any construction situation.
What types of impact screwdrivers are there?
Main types:
- A tool in the form of a simple beard. It's very easy to use. The biggest advantage of such models is that they are very cheap and absolutely everyone can afford them.
- In the form of a regular screwdriver. If you put two screwdrivers side by side - an impact screwdriver and a standard one - you will not be able to find any visual differences. However, our tool is equipped with a special mechanism inside, thanks to which you can handle difficult situations during construction and renovation. However, if we talk about the cost of such models, they are quite expensive.
- DIY impact screwdriver. The best and economical option. If you have a little time and desire, then with the help of simple parts you can make a very useful tool for the household with your own hands.
Let's sum it up
As you have already seen, an impact screwdriver has a very simple principle of operation. It's useful and the right tool in the arsenal of any mechanic who can easily help unscrew even the most outdated bolts. Having made it yourself, you will work with pleasure. Be sure that you will get it no worse than models from specialized stores.