Craftsman Impact Screwdriver

[santov]

I'm the go-to guy for brake jobs for my family, extended family, and friends. Most Hondas and Acuras have two short pan screws that hold the rotor to the hub and inevitably these stubby screws are rusted solid into the rotor. One or two whacks with the impact screwdriver and they turn right out. Great addition to your toolbox! Built well, $20, and lifetime warranty. Can also turn 3/8 sockets.

http://m.sears.com/mt/www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947641000P?vName=Gifts&cName=Father'sDay&sName=Fix-it%20Father&sid=IDx20070921x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=00947641000P

 

[river_rat]

I have that. ^^^
It's like a six gun in Texas...You don't need it often, but when you do, you need it bad.

 

[scurvy]

Great tool to have. I originally tried the horrible freight version, which is barely useful as a regular screwdriver and not at all as an impact. Chucked it into the alley, went and bought this one at Sears instead.

 

[The Critic]

Wow, I'm surprised how inexpensive the Craftsman kit is. I wonder if it will hold up.

As a comparison, my favorite Snap-On branded impact driver is $230!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?...amp;dir=catalog

$20 vs $230, seems like a big difference. There must be something missing from the Craftsman set at that price.

 

[river_rat]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
horrible freight

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Wow, I'm surprised how inexpensive the Craftsman kit is. I wonder if it will hold up.
...
$20 vs $230, seems like a big difference. There must be something missing from the Craftsman set at that price.

My Dad has had his Craftsman impact driver for 40 years. Mine has stood up to several bashings with a hand sledge and still works perfectly. There's not much to a hand impact driver and my 'new' Craftsman one looks just as beefy as any other one I've seen.

The $210 price difference means you're paying for better metallurgy, prettier packaging, a truck & driver to come around to your shop and the prestige of the Snap-On name. In this application, there's no downside to making it a bit heavier out of not as fancy material - with impact tools, might makes right. The Craftsman one has never let me down.

 

[porcupine73]

Great information, thanks. I have the horrible freight version but never used it so maybe I will pick up this Craftsman one so when I do need it I have one that will actually work!

I intended to use mine on the oil pump rotor case cover screws on Subaru's. These screws tended to back out on the mid 90's models and really need to be secured with loctite red. But if they haven't started loosening you need an impact to get them loose or they will just strip out with a regular screwdriver.

 

[TallPaul]

I have a Craftsman impact driver, can put HD screw driver bits it comes with, or IIRC a socket can be inserted. Works great. I bought mine in the 1970s.

 

[TooManyWheels]

I don't know how long I have had my Craftsman driver, but it has been at least thirty years. The quality is first rate in my opinion, at least from that time period.

 

[Chris142]

I bought an expensive MAC tools one and it broke the 1st time I hit it.The replacement broke soon after. The Hf one I replaced the MAC ones with still works fine.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: The Critic


$20 vs $230, seems like a big difference. There must be something missing from the Craftsman set at that price.
The bragging rights are missing.

 

[dwcopple]

I have a $5.99 Tool Shop one from Menards with a lifetime warranty that I have replaced three times...oh well, works when I need it too.

 

[Vikas]

What kind of hammer does it need? I have a hefty impact screw driver but the hammer I have is a girly ballpin hammer used for pounding household nails.

- Vikas

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
What kind of hammer does it need?
Doesn't matter but it needs to be of high mass. Hand sledge, 5 pound dead blow, 2 pound copper, big rock, what-have-you.

You use a ball peen hammer for driving nails?

 

[Kestas]

A ball peen is okay for driving nails as long as he doesn't try to remove the nails with it!

 

[TooManyWheels]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
What kind of hammer does it need? I have a hefty impact screw driver but the hammer I have is a girly ballpin hammer used for pounding household nails.

- Vikas


What kind of arm do you have?

 

[ludey]

Had to exchange mine due, to it tightening the bolts and not loosening. Got a new one straight out of the store. Gotta love Sears.

 

[santov]

Originally Posted By: ludey
Had to exchange mine due, to it tightening the bolts and not loosening. Got a new one straight out of the store. Gotta love Sears.


It wasn't broken! Twist one way to tighten and other way to loosen. It's engraved on the driver.

 

[ludey]

Originally Posted By: santov
Originally Posted By: ludey
Had to exchange mine due, to it tightening the bolts and not loosening. Got a new one straight out of the store. Gotta love Sears.


It wasn't broken! Twist one way to tighten and other way to loosen. It's engraved on the driver.


Geesh!!! I think I know that already! I had it more than 3yrs. How else can one use it if, you don't know the simple directions? It would only tighten and not loosen. It was broken if, you cannot see the obvious of my post.