Another question for the camper project that I've not updated for months in the project section-
Just about to install hundreds of #8 flange head self drilling screws- these have an 1/4" head on them.
But the heads are so short relative to the flange that my small drivers have a tough time getting a good grip on them. So these have been a real chore to get off, and some have been problems getting back on. Getting old one off was more of a chore thanks to 50 years of rust, but even getting new ones on- it's easy for the driver to skip on the head.
Is there a special driver that works better with the shallow heads of these screws? Or should I just get a new one and change them at the first sign of skipping?
No special driver but don't use the adapter that you put screwdriver bits in... a lot of them have chamfered edges and won't grab the screws.
I haven't tried this, but maybe file/grind flat the end of a deep socket to remove any radius that is causing the slipping off.
In reply to akamcfly :
I tried that with limited success.
You will probably need to buy a quality driver. I use Dewalt's black oxide drivers almost exclusively. They are extremely hard and don't wear as fast. Grinding the end of the driver flat will help. Drivers are a wear item and won't last forever. I usually buy 2-3 at a time and swap them out at the first sign of trouble.
Sockets and most cheap drivers are too soft for anything beyond occasional use. You will end up stripping the end of the socket out.
In reply to Toyman01 + Sized and :
+1 on the DeWalt drivers. They work great!
Slow down a mite and keep the tool square to the head of the screw. And of course use a quality driver.
In reply to Toyman01 + Sized and :
Thanks- I'll look for those next time I'm at the HW store.
I've ground my small drivers flat so they use the full height of the hex head.
Like Toyman I've been happy with the DeWalt black oxide magnetic driver sockets.
I've found that some screws are better than others. I have no idea of brand but the ones I get from McMaster-Carr are less frustrating than those purchased at the big box stores.
I don't know if it's practical in your application but I go up to a #10 when I can just because they're easier to drive.
In reply to APEowner :
#10 would be nice, but I'm re-installing windows, and don't really want to open the holes up.
My daddy always taught me to discard the bit or driver at the first signs of trouble. So far so good with that advice.
One of my sideline jobs is HVAC and I do run a pile of screws doing that work.
The industry standard is a Malco flip bit. Not expensive, magnetic, durable.
