Impact Driver Vs MCB

[Zerax]

I think we should be careful to differentiate between 'impact drivers' and 'cordless screwdrivers'... My main cordless that I use all the time, has torque settings on it... so it's very possible to dial that down to do the initial run up of breaker screws. I don't use mine for that of course... I've got the Bosch cordless screwdriver that's permanently set a low torque for that purpose... with a proper torque screwdriver for the final tightness.

...just saying

 

[Dustydazzler]

Lazy people with no mechanical sympathy.

I would say site sparks on price who get paid per flat or per house who want to smash out a board in an hour

 

[Dustydazzler]

I think we should be careful to differentiate between 'impact drivers' and 'cordless screwdrivers'... My main cordless that I use all the time, has torque settings on it... so it's very possible to dial that down to do the initial run up of breaker screws. I don't use mine for that of course... I've got the Bosch cordless screwdriver that's permanently set a low torque for that purpose... with a proper torque screwdriver for the final tightness.

...just saying

Yes you can use a small low torque battery drill to wind up all the screws and then do round with a screwdriver to 'tweak up' the terminals

But most guys I have seen us an impact as you can clearly hear that rat a tat tat that an impact makes as it hammers down the screw

 

[Dave OCD]

Just another example of idiots taking over the world. It's pretty sad really.

 

[UNG]

The problem is for every type of screw head that is produced there is an impact bit to fit it, so do consumer unit screws need to be of a unique patented type that prevents the manufacture of impact bits. Might also limit the DIY brigade doing CU swaps

 

[nicebutdim]

The problem is for every type of screw head that is produced there is an impact bit to fit it, so do consumer unit screws need to be of a unique patented type that prevents the manufacture of impact bits. Might also limit the DIY brigade doing CU swaps

In NI electricians use Scrulox almost exclusively for mounting any fixture or fitting. This frustrates DIYers no end, but it doesn't stop them.

As for impact bits - if there is demand, someone will supply. With the sort of torque required for this application, bits don't need to be impact rated and simply need a 1/4" hex shank - whatever you come up with, there'll be a pack of 5 for a few £ on ebay.

 

[Intoelectrics]

I've been guilty of using my impact driver to whizz up the slack on occasion. But always stop short of the impact action engaging and tightening the screw.

It's often the "tool" who's using the tool that's the problem. Using an impact driver to "tighten" terminal screws is idiotic.

 

[Risteard]

In NI electricians use Scrulox almost exclusively for mounting any fixture or fitting. This frustrates DIYers no end, but it doesn't stop them.

As for impact bits - if there is demand, someone will supply. With the sort of torque required for this application, bits don't need to be impact rated and simply need a 1/4" hex shank - whatever you come up with, there'll be a pack of 5 for a few £ on ebay.

Scrulox should be mandatory everywhere. As you say, even wholesalers only ever stock square head wood screws here.

 

[TheConduitKing]

Scrulox should be mandatory everywhere. As you say, even wholesalers only ever stock square head wood screws here.

I think torx screws are better. But there are too many sizes for construction. T10, 15, 20,25,27,40 etc. It's a bit ridiculous...

At least with square it's just sizes 1,2 and 3

 

[nicebutdim]

Scrulox should be mandatory everywhere. As you say, even wholesalers only ever stock square head wood screws here.

Can't imagine using anything else and keep a stock of different sizes for every job. I hate waste and it pains me to throw away all the useless fixings supplied with stuff, but it doesn't bother me enough to go through the ballache of using them.

 

[nicebutdim]

I think torx screws are better. But there are too many sizes for construction. T10, 15, 20,25,27,40 etc. It's a bit ridiculous...

At least with square it's just sizes 1,2 and 3

Torx have their place, but I don't think it's this. Scrulox bits last for years - it's almost a flawless design.

Look at me calling it Scrulox now, after years of 'Robertson'

 

[Risteard]

Can't imagine using anything else and keep a stock of different sizes for every job. I hate waste and it pains me to throw away all the useless fixings supplied with stuff, but it doesn't bother me enough to go through the ballache of using them.

Agreed. Posidrive hasn't a patch on Scrulox. I remember a Scottish spark coming over to do a shopfit job here and when stripping old stuff out saying WTF are these screws!

 

[nicebutdim]

Agreed. Posidrive hasn't a patch on Scrulox. I remember a Scottish spark coming over to do a shopfit job here and when stripping old stuff out saying WTF are these screws!

It was asking that very question in my teenage years, that opened my mind to the wonders of sqare drive screws. Be as ignorant as you like with the impactor at an odd angle and that screw is still going in - I feel sorry for folks in GB who don't know any better

 

[MJPD29]

Pozi is for peasants it's square or nothing

 

[littlespark]

You never get them in a multi pack of screwdriver bits.

Straight, Phillips, pozi, hex and torq… but never really seen the square Robertson or scrulox in packs like that