Whitewater Woman's Equipment Maintenance and Repair

[Nitro]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2356124825...X2wEufm+MVhDbYm0XG0YpF4FnQ==|tkp:BFBMto76-J1k

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Technically that is an impact driver for running threaded fasteners.
Most modern drills are capable of driving the same fasteners but without the advantage of the impact function.

So, I think this is the tool which runs screws into wood. I am trying to put together a small wooden collapsible step stool. The heads of the screws are star shaped and they gave me an Allan wrench for it, but I can only screw it in about half way. So I will need the electric impact driver I think you called it.

That is as far as I can get it by hand.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Insert the battery from the front and slide it towards the back until it clicks and locks in to place.

I thought I was doing this and I am not getting the "click" and it is not locked into place. Can you show me which is the front and which is the back, please?

 

[Shevek]

I once had a tool battery that became a charger-killer. Sometimes I put the battery cells from a new, on-sale battery of any brand into a case that matches my old tools. Lithium batteries need special, intelligent chargers.

 

[Nitro]

I thought I was doing this and I am not getting the "click" and it is not locked into place. Can you show me which is the front and which is the back, please?

Hopefully this helps

red, part that clicks into the tool body

release tab in depressed position

Orange, Engagement when released

Depressed

 

[Nitro]

So, I think this is the tool which runs screws into wood. I am trying to put together a small wooden collapsible step stool. The heads of the screws are star shaped and they gave me an Allan wrench for it, but I can only screw it in about half way. So I will need the electric impact driver I think you called it.
View attachment 132755
That is as far as I can get it by hand.

Likely a Torx fastener, quite common these days because of how well they work

 

[Nitro]

I have driven well over 8 pounds of Torx construction screws with a single driver.
The old Phillips ones would have trashed about one driver per pound.

 

[Outdated]

I have driven well over 8 pounds of Torx construction screws with a single driver.
The old Phillips ones would have trashed about one driver per pound.

I was almost going to mention that before, when you posted a pic of how you organise all your bits. I spent a couple of years working for a furniture retailer where everything is Philips Head, and those bits never last long, they always break. So we had bits in our pockets, bits lying around on benches, bits in the footwell on the passenger side of the truck, bits in a bag in the back of the truck, bits everywhere.

 

[Outdated]

I thought I was doing this and I am not getting the "click" and it is not locked into place. Can you show me which is the front and which is the back, please?

Did Nitro's pictures with the arrows help? Post #125.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Did Nitro's pictures with the arrows help? Post #125.

I’ve had a couple of rotten days and have been unable to look at it closely. I will get back to it because it is all spread out on the bedroom floor. The only other room in the house is full of mangos.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Success! at least partially. I got the drill connected to the battery, which still had charge. I was able to complete this nifty stool for my tall-as-the-ceiling bookcase, so I can reach the top shelves.

Even better, the steps fold in so it is a little table when not been used as a stool. Good for my glasses, a book, a cup of cocoa.

HURRAY AND THANK YOU EVERYONE!

 

[Shevek]

Have you ever tried a manual screwdriver? If you need more torque, there's usually a way to add a side handle.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Have you ever tried a manual screwdriver? If you need more torque, there's usually a way to add a side handle.

I tried the manual screwdriver, but the pre-drilled holes were to narrow. I could not get the screws in more than half way.

 

[Shevek]

Did you try adding a side handle to the screwdriver? BTW, screws go in easier if first quickly rubbed on a bar of soap to pick up a bit of lubrication. Other solutions would include enlarging the holes, or using smaller screws.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Did you try adding a side handle to the screwdriver? BTW, screws go in easier if first quickly rubbed on a bar of soap to pick up a bit of lubrication. Other solutions would include enlarging the holes, or using smaller screws.

Thank you for the suggestions I might try on my next project.

I had to get the drill working because it is essential in putting up the plywood in the event of a hurricane.

 

[Shevek]

I think that's an impact driver, not a drill. Does it make a loud chattering sound when working a bit hard? A drill is generally faster and quieter, and often strong enough if it has a slider on top for two speeds.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

I think that's an impact driver, not a drill. Does it make a loud chattering sound when working a bit hard? A drill is generally faster and quieter, and often strong enough if it has a slider on top for two speeds.

I had to look up in google what an impact driver was, and yes, I am using an impact driver.

I have also figured out how to charge the batteries, so I had six fully charged batteries which should be more than enough to put up the Hurricane plywood.

I know where the plywood is.

Now I just have to find the screws.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

NEW PROBLEM: I've been using these drivers and screws for a couple of months. I used them to put up plywood over my windows when the hurricane was coming.

I'm trying to take the plywood down. But the drivers are having no effect at all on the screws in place. I have checked the direction of the force, clockwise or counter clockwise and have tried the "wrong" setting just to see what was going on. Nothing it appears.

I put the bit into the star-shaped head of the screw and squeeze the appropriate trigger that controls the speed of the drill. The bit "screws" easily both clockwise and counter clockwise but there is no effect on the screw in the wood.

Here are the tools I am using. The problem occurs with both drills. You can see the screw in between. I think it is a three inch screw with a star head.

I am mystified. A frequent state for me. But I just used these tools and screws a month ago and now I can't get them to unscrew. Yes, I know the shove the red button in and out to change the direction of the drill. Yes, there is plenty of charge. Squeezing the trigger produces a lot of power.

Advice, please!

Thank you.

 

[Nitro]

NEW PROBLEM: I've been using these drivers and screws for a couple of months. I used them to put up plywood over my windows when the hurricane was coming.

View attachment 137147

I'm trying to take the plywood down. But the drivers are having no effect at all on the screws in place. I have checked the direction of the force, clockwise or counter clockwise and have tried the "wrong" setting just to see what was going on. Nothing it appears.

I put the bit into the star-shaped head of the screw and squeeze the appropriate trigger that controls the speed of the drill. The bit "screws" easily both clockwise and counter clockwise but there is no effect on the screw in the wood.

Here are the tools I am using. The problem occurs with both drills. You can see the screw in between. I think it is a three inch screw with a star head.

View attachment 137148

I am mystified. A frequent state for me. But I just used these tools and screws a month ago and now I can't get them to unscrew. Yes, I know the shove the red button in and out to change the direction of the drill. Yes, there is plenty of charge. Squeezing the trigger produces a lot of power.

Advice, please!

Thank you.

Are the screwheads and the bits the same shape?

It sounds to me like you used Torx drive fasteners which you may be calling "star" drives.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Are the screwheads and the bits the same shape?

It sounds to me like you used Torx drive fasteners which you may be calling "star" drives.

View attachment 137149

I'm using the same drill bits now that I used successfully to screw in the screws. If the bits are wrong, they wouldn't have worked to screw them in. Right?

But that is what it looks like to me. But I don't understand why they would work once and not now.