Choosing an Impact Driver?

[58CorrySuburban]

So, I have to buy an impact driver....

Should I go with a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive for outboard work?

Can anyone suggest a quality, mid-priced driver for the non-professional?
Snap-on was suggested, (and I know they make quality tools) but they want $350 for a 12 piece set. Thats more than I paid for both of my parts motors, and the runner!!!

Yikes,
-Josh

 

[cdnfthree2]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

Pneunatic or electric? If electric, I use a Dewalt 1/2" daily and have never had any problems nor do I anticipate any.

People swear, and I tend to agree, that Harbor freight tools arer junk but I know a guy in the same business as myself who uses their 1/2" elctric impact and has had no problems over 4 years. For a non-pro, that might ne the way to go.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

Considering many fasteners are steel into alum threads I can't see where an impact driver is required, for screws I use the manual impact from sears, home depot has them for less than $20, its the type you hot with a hammer and it turns a few degrees, works wonders on oil drain screws.

but if you want decent and cheap ? autozone sells 1/2" 120v drivers for less than $70, I use mine for lugnuts on my truck and trailer work but haven't needed it for the outboard.

I also have air tools but the 120v electrics are convenient ( but bulky heavier) ,

the portable 18v drivers are great but pricey, try craigslist.
My air tools are chinese, had to dissassemble when new to grease them and re-fit parts to get them working but they do work good.

I also mostly use regular sockets, and break one occasionally, no big deal, trailer work needs the black oxide impact sockets.
I have some DeWalt 18v tools, excellent power and design.

 

[JIGGER]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

If its air I like 3/8 for tear down. Strong,light and fast!!!!!! Match the fastener to the drive. Everything shound be put together by hand.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

Are you going to work in a shop or just evenings and weekends at home?

Air, electric, or the one you hit with a hammer?

Go to Sears, buy any socket set that appeals to you.

A decent 1/4 inch set will do most all ignition and carb related work, heavier work you could use a 3/8 set.

The little hand held hit it with a hammer impact is all you really need at home.

It you really want to spend some money, buy a quality lb-inch torque wrench.

 

[58CorrySuburban]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

Thanks guys,

Looks like I'm gunna go with the 3/8 manual impact driver from sears. I'll only be using it on weekends so....

 

[HybridMX6]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

I personally use a Sears one like you are referring to. I'm a weekend mechanic, so I don't use it all the time, but it does work great.
I read your previous post about the issue, so hopefully it works out for you.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

If you just want one for a few projects take a look at this one, also available from Sears: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00990131000P?mv=rr

 

[Grem]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

Thanks guys,

Looks like I'm gunna go with the 3/8 manual impact driver from sears. I'll only be using it on weekends so....

I'm sure for weekend spannering it will be more than adequate. One good solid whack normally works better with these tools than repeated tapping. And don't forget to use a good quality hammer.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

You guys are braver than I am.
I would be afraid of using a manual impact on an outboard motor.
I'd wind up cracking the aluminum.
As it is, on older motors, the bolts snap off too easily.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

you don't have to hit them that hard.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

Considering many fasteners are steel into alum threads I can't see where an impact driver is required, for screws I use the manual impact from sears, home depot has them for less than $20, its the type you hot with a hammer and it turns a few degrees, works wonders on oil drain screws.

I agree. All you need is a $20 hand held impact driver that you hammer. I have 2 large ones and one small one.

 

[karlow1]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

Don't buy a hand impact from harbor freight, their's is junk.
Try to find one that is not MIC, or MIT. The electric impact from Harbor freight (sale price about $39) is still on the job. It has broken several things, it removed the flywheel nut. They claim 250Ft-lbs. I try not to buy junk tools, but some things you need rarely. Your choice is buy Chinese or rent.

KP

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

No impact will ever go near my outboards !!!! (I hope)

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

Air guns are not necessarily bolt breakers and strip threads out of aluminum parts.

Yes, I do have a 1/2 inch Ingersol that will turn a little over 400 lb-ft, but I don't use that on an outboard.

Many shops use a 3/8 air gun for motor tear downs, and I regularly use a 1/4 gun for assembly as it's max torque is set light enough that I still have to make almost a 1/4 turn with my lb-inch torque wrench.

But I am totally anal about thread cleanliness prior to assembly, ALL threads are cleaned, brushed off or have a tap run thru it, hosed with solvent, blown clean and dry, lubed or lock-tited. NOTHING turns dry.

 

[garym31]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

ive found that im less likely to break something when im using impact....i never break anything using impact....it seems that the tapping loosens fastners without applying the constant torque needed to break somehting

 

[58CorrySuburban]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

Believe me I don't like the idea of hitting anything on my outboards, but fact is that 50 years of salt water can do some amazing things. I have used a screwdriver with vicegrips clamped to the shaft. I'm not a small guy, but even stainless steel (without slipping and slowly wearing away at the head) can spread like butter way before 50 yrs of corrosion lets go.

Before reinstalling any bolts I'm like CharlieB, and the freshwater motor I have has yet to present me with a fastener I couldn't remove comparativly easily.

ezeke posted a link, and it looks the part.

Thanks again everyone,
-Josh

 

[jonesg]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

That sears impact posted is the cats meow.!

If a screw gets mangled and theres no room to cut a new slot with a dremel disc, drill a hole, take the philip impact screw bit, drive it in the hole then slip the impact on it and belt it .

If that fails or breaks the screw, touch it with a mig welder tip on low setting, that will vaporize the salt because the crud in the threads is the elec resistence.

Steer clear of ez outs.

 

[58CorrySuburban]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

I don't have a mig. Can I use a plumbers torch instead?

 

[ezeke]

Re: Choosing an Impact Driver?

cdnfthree2 is speaking of using electricity to burn the corrosion out between the screw and the aluminum. Heat won't do the same job.

Use the hand impact driver - it's the right tool for the situation unless you have the welding rig.