Impact screwdrivers: varieties, characteristics and manufacture

In the process of carrying out locksmith work, each person may encounter a problem in the form of rusted fasteners. You can try to unscrew them with a regular screwdriver, but this may not always work. There is the possibility of ripping the splines or worst of all, ruining the tool tip.

The most difficult job is dismantling steel bolts from metal bases. Rust is a strong bond between the two, making it extremely difficult to separate them. But in the presence of an impact screwdriver, this problem turns into a small obstacle that anyone can cope with.

The impact screwdriver has been popular since the days of the Soviet Union. At that time, it was performed in the simplest manner with the presence of a monolithic core. After a while, this device underwent a slight modification, and screwdrivers of this type began to be supplied with a hexagon near the tip, and in some models they installed it on the handle. That is why power screwdrivers have gained the ability to transmit rotational force from the wrench. To carry out successful work with the described device, it was necessary to use a double labor force. In simple terms, one master supported the sting and at the same moment created rotation with pliers, and the second made superficial blows with a heavy object.

In the modern world, such a name as an impact screwdriver means a modified device capable of unscrewing any bolts. Classic models from the past have lost public interest and are no longer in demand. In current modifications, the shock-rotary unit is located in the handle, the sting is mounted on the gear. The movement of the device begins under the influence of a heavy object. The cage moves along the specified axis, due to which the fasteners are displaced by a couple of degrees. This distance is enough for the connection to loosen, after which the bolts are unscrewed. The return of the impact unit to its original position is due to a special spring located in the structure. Only one manpower is needed to operate this model of power screwdriver.

You should familiarize yourself with the technical data of the impact screwdrivers. It makes no sense to talk about the quality of the device and the reliability of the metal used in the production. Popular brands will never use low-quality materials for the manufacture of their products.

An important factor in the device of an impact screwdriver is the presence of a reverse. It is he who expands the capabilities of the percussion device. It is important to pay attention to the design of the handle. The presence of rubber or polyethylene interlayers in the body will allow you to hold the unit in your hand. In addition, this is a special safety condition.

Manufacturers take into account several factors when designing each model of impact screwdriver.

• The dimensions of the case do not change, but its use in difficult and crumpled conditions is strictly prohibited.
• Allows to increase the area of ​​use and improve the level of convenience during operation. But then the reliability of the instrument itself may suffer.

When making a choice between one or another unit, it is necessary to understand the features of the upcoming work, with all possible difficulties and nuances, and only after that acquire a power screwdriver. It should be noted that the purchase of one screwdriver is extremely illogical. For this case, tool manufacturers have found solutions and began to release kits with several attachments of different sizes and tips on the world market.

The second name of the impact unit is a power screwdriver. Mostly used for locksmith work. All models have a reinforced safety handle.

Each impact device has its own specific properties. The main distinguishing feature of the percussion model from a conventional instrument is its equipment with a durable body made of metal. Accordingly, this factor is several times higher than the design of the power unit relative to a conventional tool.

On the technical side, the power units differ in some features.

• The presence of a reverse. In modern modifications, there is always the ability to break the connections and tighten them tightly.
• Handle design. In fact, the handle is not just an ordinary handle of the unit, it is a one-piece housing for the tool, without which the work will be extremely difficult.
• Body material. Quite often, tools are made in a steel shell, and expensive models are coated with a special surface polyurethane, rubber or polyethylene linings are present in the handle.

As for the field of application, this tool is used not only at the household level, but also on an industrial scale. Quite often they can be found at technical inspection stations.

In addition to the main technical characteristics of the impact screwdriver, it is necessary to mention the replaceable tips. Almost all sets contain additional bits, in the minimum sets their size is 8 and 10 mm. Most often, the complete set consists of one screwdriver and four different bits in a flat and figured form. This configuration is considered to be very effective, since you have to work constantly with different splines of the mountings.

In addition, the product can be used not only as an impact force, but also as a conventional twist-off attachment.

As mentioned earlier, it is extremely ineffective to acquire just one impact screwdriver in our time. Often, a tool involves the use of several universal attachments at once for one job. That is why manufacturers began to sell screwdrivers in a set.

Any configuration is presented in the form of a starter, chuck and bit holder. In addition, the kit may contain a couple of different sizes and tips that can be used in place of the drill.

Advanced kits for large jobs offer different types and sizes of attachments and hexagons. The main thing is to pay special attention to the quality of the materials used in the manufacture of additional elements, since they must withstand the impact of shock loads.

Many craftsmen make a percussion unit with their own hands, while claiming that this work does not require any exceptional knowledge or additional skills. You just need to take into account the step-by-step instructions.

• First you need to take a rotor from any motor. Remove all elements present except the bushing and shaft.
• Place a piece of steel tube on the surface of the sleeve, which at the end will become a handle.
• A nut is inserted on the other side. It is she who helps to prevent damage to the handle in the process of physical impact.

• Next, the shank is sawn, to which the bits are mounted.
• The last stage of work is to connect all the elements to each other by welding.
• The device is now ready for use. It looks, of course, not as presentable as factory models, but in terms of service life it can be much stronger.

If you follow all the steps correctly, you get an artisanal impact screwdriver. As it turns out, making it is not as difficult as it might seem at the very beginning of work. There is no need to use special drawings and markings. But if you have any doubts, it is better to turn to a professional.

For many people, especially those who have taken an impact screwdriver in their hands for the first time, many questions arise as to how it works. That is why, before you start using the tool, you need to familiarize yourself with its detailed instructions and understand how to use it correctly.

• Before starting work, you should carry out some manipulations with the fastener. It must be cleaned of possible contamination. To do this, just use a sponge, a brush.
• Several drops of brake fluid drip onto the surface of the fastener. If it is not available, you can use other means, for example, WD40 grease, which is used in the automotive industry, antifreeze, kerosene or any machine oil. Wait a couple of minutes after applying the lubricant. This time will be quite enough for the liquid to get inside the fastener.
• Next, you need to pick up the nozzle. Impact screwdriver kits generally have several types of bits, and you can try them on to find the perfect bit size.
• After that, it is necessary to install the nozzle into the shank and fix it in the base of the fastener.
• Then, a few hammer blows must be applied over the screwdriver. It is worth noting that when exposed to force, the screwdriver should be held in such a way that its axis coincides with the axis of the fastener being screwed, that is, it is located along the slots.

During prolonged use, the impact screwdriver may fail. But this does not mean that you need to buy a new model. First you need to disassemble the tool and determine the cause of the breakdown. In most cases like this, you just need to replace the rotor. After repair manipulations, it is important to correctly assemble the unit and check the operation in action.

If the unscrewed element has succumbed to dismantling, then the screwdriver system can be switched to reverse and again made several strong blows. As soon as you feel that the fastener is unscrewed from the base, you can remove the impact screwdriver, then use the usual model with a simple tip.

Despite the fact that the impact screwdriver is the most common tool in the manufacturing and construction industry, it is not always able to help the craftsman. Especially when old-fashioned corrosion has stuck between the fasteners and the base. To solve this problem, you will have to drill.

How to use the shock-rotary response, see the video below.