Club 80-90 Forums

Emma&Al wrote:Right...im guessing that the an old tool equates to disaster?
Might have to go and buy myself one then - looks like another trip to ScrewFix...Im really liking it there!

If it's the one I'm thinking of they were often used for 'cracking' case screws on motorbikes ... I've seen a crankcase smashed using one I still have one somewhere but they are 'last resort' on bigger stuff than an M6 mirror screw.

Ian

Thanks lefty67 - I've never been to europarts but now you've mentioned it, yes I think there is one in Hastings, perhaps I'll take your suggestion, cheers

Is this sort of thing a good impact screwdriver? I don't really want to spend that much as i might get very little use out of it...I am gradually building a good tool set though!!!
http://www.powertools2u.co.uk/Cordless- ... oC_mvw_wcB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ye Olde Skool type looks like this ..



and has a socket head which a variety of bits fit. You would position the driver in the screw then strike the end with a hammer

Ian

Ian's photo is not unlike the one I have. It's the fact that the turning force is only applied the moment the hammer hits that virtually guarantees the bit isn't going to rise out and chew the head. I use mine on all sorts of screw sizes, not just the big stuff. When I removed my dash the big crosshead screws behind the door shuts and a couple of the small philips screws along the windscreen edge were rusted in, but the impact driver took them all out clean and undamaged. Obviously you have to be pretty careful with the hammer aim when working near to things like windscreens and mirrors!

This is the one I have. I got it cheap from a tool stall at a show. The chrome plating where the hammer hits has loosened and curled, and now acts like a razor blade every time I use it, but the cuts soon heal!

The cordless one you linked to is the sort I was on about and a very usefull tool for lots of jobs. If you think thats expensive I think I should point out thats just for the body, and batteries and charger etc are on top!
I bought a screwfix one for my seven year old who struggles with screws and its surprisingly powerfull.

If you can't afford tools you've bought the wrong van.

Harsh but true.

These are enthusiast's vehicles, you need to be either enthusiastic enough to accept that you WILL need to get down and dirty to keep your pride and joy on the road OR enthusiastic enough financially to realise you're going to have to pay someone else to do these jobs for you. It helps if you are a bit of both. As you say you can't 'raise the vehicle yourself it sounds like you'd better be more of the latter. Do you have a proper jack ? (and I don't mean the one for changing a tyre at the roadside )

Simple as.

Ian.

CJH wrote: The chrome plating where the hammer hits has loosened and curled, and now acts like a razor blade every time I use it, but the cuts soon heal!

I think mine's an old Draper one in a blue tin box ... the chroming did exactly the same on mine Even the catch on the tin was sharp enough to take yer leg off

Ian

The link I put up was just an example of the type that I was checking everyone was talking about. Not the actual one I was thinking of buying.
The old school manual type is the one I have currently. I've watched several videos on this. It sounds like the aim is the important part. Perhaps I should get some help with using it if Im making do with the tools I have.
Thanks all

Ian Hulley wrote:If you can't afford tools you've bought the wrong van.

Harsh but true.

These are enthusiast's vehicles, you need to be either enthusiastic enough to accept that you WILL need to get down and dirty to keep your pride and joy on the road OR enthusiastic enough financially to realise you're going to have to pay someone else to do these jobs for you. It helps if you are a bit of both. As you say you can't 'raise the vehicle yourself it sounds like you'd better be more of the latter. Do you have a proper jack ? (and I don't mean the one for changing a tyre at the roadside )

Simple as.

Ian.

I remember a quote from Henry maker of The Model T at an exhibition "If you need a tool and you don't buy one, you'll end up paying for it and won't own it"

Emma&Al wrote:The link I put up was just an example of the type that I was checking everyone was talking about. Not the actual one I was thinking of buying.
The old school manual type is the one I have currently. I've watched several videos on this. It sounds like the aim is the important part. Perhaps I should get some help with using it if Im making do with the tools I have.
Thanks all

Another suggestion: I've got a large head old Phillips type screwdriver which has a wheel-nut brazed on the shaft so I can use a spanner on it for extra leverage. I used it on door lock striker plates and door hinges etc and it worked a treat.

You could just buy a suitably sized screwdriver that perfectly fits your mirror head screws, find a suitable sized nut the is a snug fit on its shaft, and have it brazed or welded on by a local garage. A cheaper, and more bodywork friendly, solution to your problem.

Thanks New Kentish