Using electric drills/screwdrivers for bolts
Discussion
When I was an apprentice mechanic in the 80s I was told never to use an electric drill/air gun to undo or do up bolts, and less so nuts. They said there is a real risk of stressing the bolt (especially small sizes) and or cross thread.
I used an airgun to remove the 10mm bolts on a cam belt cover and was told off. He said they can easily stretch or snap and if you were doing it by hand you would "feel" it and take appropriate action.
I see a lot of videos now (TikTok, YouTube etc) and everyone seems to use electric tools where possible, plus they all seem to wear gloves!
Is this something you lot of DIYers use?
I used an airgun to remove the 10mm bolts on a cam belt cover and was told off. He said they can easily stretch or snap and if you were doing it by hand you would "feel" it and take appropriate action.
I see a lot of videos now (TikTok, YouTube etc) and everyone seems to use electric tools where possible, plus they all seem to wear gloves!
Is this something you lot of DIYers use?
I cant get used to power tools personally for most stuff but i do use my battery impact gun on suspension work, mainly for taking out.
The smaller ones are useful as long as you take care, i would always loosen by hand first just to feel how the bolt is which may sound silly but its just a habit.
The smaller ones are useful as long as you take care, i would always loosen by hand first just to feel how the bolt is which may sound silly but its just a habit.
You should never use an air/electric gun to torque up bolts/nuts etc.
Having said that many are now adjustable & this may be why.
Also having said that, I never would, I use them to undo/do up bolts/nuts right up to the point of the bolt/nut seating & then would always hand-torque to finish.
Having said that many are now adjustable & this may be why.
Also having said that, I never would, I use them to undo/do up bolts/nuts right up to the point of the bolt/nut seating & then would always hand-torque to finish.
Depends on the fastener... but yes generally speaking.
Cam cover bolts are a great example - if they're in good condition then until recently I'd have used an electric impact to undo them, now I'd use my electric ratchet which generally means breaking away the bolt by hand then zipping out. I've not had a broken bolt in a long time.
Doing them up I'd use an impact/ratchet to just about nip them up (with an impact until you get the first hammer click), then torque with the appropriate wrench. Again no issues there as the speed is very controllable, and unless you hit it at high speed with an impact it won't be over-torqued.
The modern electric stuff is all adjustable for torque as well, some (like my Milwaukee) have a fastener tightening mode.
Cam cover bolts are a great example - if they're in good condition then until recently I'd have used an electric impact to undo them, now I'd use my electric ratchet which generally means breaking away the bolt by hand then zipping out. I've not had a broken bolt in a long time.
Doing them up I'd use an impact/ratchet to just about nip them up (with an impact until you get the first hammer click), then torque with the appropriate wrench. Again no issues there as the speed is very controllable, and unless you hit it at high speed with an impact it won't be over-torqued.
The modern electric stuff is all adjustable for torque as well, some (like my Milwaukee) have a fastener tightening mode.
I would never start a bolt or nut with a drill/driver because of the risk of cross threading, however most drills/drivers have a torque setting which , if correctly set , allows the bolt/nut to be tightened safely and reliably. I use impact drivers to undo bolts provided they are not socket headed or torx, provided the head is in good condition and the socket is 6 point and a good snug fit it is a reliable method and speeds up disassembly markedly. If you use your common sense then power tools are of great benefit.
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