Ratchets are only really of use for screws which need some effort to turn throughout their length. A screw in a threaded hole tends to be tight only for the last bit/ first bit. For these a normal screwdriver works best for me, I simply spin the screwdriver shank between my finger tips - which is much faster, than gripping and turning the handle.
for seriously rusty stuff the inward whack is the business, coupled with light hand pressure to turn the bit when it is ready.
They've been replaced by cordless screwdrivers.
Amen! And every time I walk round ALDI . . .
+1 for the Snap-on ratchet screwdriver. They cost more like £40 now but they will last forever and stand up to professional use.
Are you certain that's how it works?
what else is there? the air hammer knocks the bit in along the line of the screw, a short handle takes light hand pressure. There are no other parts.
An electric impact drill driver works only by rotation - a series of whacks. And shifts otherwise stuck screws etc nicely - and without damage to the head. I notice they're using them in tyre places these days instead of the air ones.
I think that is largely because they (battery impact wrenchs) have become more affordable and you can get lighter more powerful battery packs. plus of course no mains cable or air line to trip/tangle. But when something is seriously tight, out will come the one inch two handled long anvil 2000 lb ft air wrench !!
And running an air compressor is far more expensive than most people realise.
I've never had a problem removing nuts and bolts no matter how stuck they are. It's screws that are are all too easily damaged with a normal screwdriver if too tight. And for those, an impact driver is invaluable. But one thing an impact driver is good for, bolt wise, is removing a crank pulley fixing. No need to jam the engine.
One thing I have learnt when using an Impact Screwdriver always 'do up' a fraction first before trying to undo a screw. It also helps a lot if before you start take the bit off and hammer it into the screw, then put the driver on.
Slatts
The type of impact driver you hit with a hammer are old fashioned. And also require what you're hitting to be solid. An impact driver doesn't. It's an electric drill which 'kicks' in a rotary direction rather than the hammer sort which kicks in and out (for drilling masonry). They're great for removing rusted in self tappers which would otherwise just shear off with a normal screwdriver. As well as other things.
I'm suprised a grade-one tosser like you would know one end of a screwdriver from another.
An' ill'terate.
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