Powered Hex Driver?

[Steve Joblin]

Anyone use a powered hex driver? Seems like a good way to ensure that each screw is tightened the same amount. No over tightening to worry about. Surprised I never see anyone use one... Has anyone seen a RC store that sells such an item?

[KSHeli]

I know Align has a hex driver set that has a handle and then you insert the hex shafts into the handle, I believe they are 1/4" drive. I would think that you could use something like a Black & Decker electric screwdriver that has the torque setting feature on it to do what you want.

[apriliamille]

i have used a hitachi db3dl for about 3 years on my rc cars. it has a variable torque clutch. ive been able to tap into the rc car plastic and set the clutch to tighten to where i need one final hand turn to assure tightness. im sure it would work on the heli if your in a hurry. im on phone so i cant post links as i suck at phone texting. mine came with two lithium batteries and it's quarter inch drive. in my car applications i use a dab of grease in the threads going into plastic as it generates heat

[apriliamille]

here is a link to the screw driver

http://smile.amazon.com/Hitachi-DB3D...hitachi+db3dl2

[Steve Joblin]

I have this Makita set and I LOVE it! Small, light, keeps a charge, and has enough power and torque for 99.9% of what I need.

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LCT209W...s=makita+drill

I was more interested to see if people use these types of drivers on their helis. I "think" most use a driver that looks something like this, and I wondered why people don't use a power driver.

[MrHoverLover]

I think a set of MIP hex bits in a nice cordless driver like a Bosch would be a great setup. The MIP hex drivers are outstanding. Wish I never bought Wiha stuff.
http://miponline.com/store/MIP_Thorp...nsert_bit.html

[Steve Joblin]

Originally Posted by MrHoverLover

I think a set of MIP hex bits in a nice cordless driver like a Bosch would be a great setup. The MIP hex drivers are outstanding. Wish I never bought Wiha stuff.
http://miponline.com/store/MIP_Thorp...nsert_bit.html

Nice find!!! I think I might need to make an investment, or perhaps a great idea for a Father's Day gift (hint, hint)!

[Larry227]

I use one of these at work and liked it so much I bought one for home.

https://store.snapon.com/CTS725-Seri...--P819576.aspx

[GBKSU]

Originally Posted by MrHoverLover

I think a set of MIP hex bits in a nice cordless driver like a Bosch would be a great setup. The MIP hex drivers are outstanding. Wish I never bought Wiha stuff.
http://miponline.com/store/MIP_Thorp...nsert_bit.html

The speed tips are awesome!! I have used them since taking up off-road racing and they are by far the best tool purchase I have ever made in the hobby. The only downside is it makes me mad when I need to actually use a "traditional" hex driver, simply because I don't have MIP ones...yet!!

[akschu]

Hudy makes super high quality bits for RC stuff. Hudy is very popular with the car guys, who also need high quality tools since they are also dealing with these little crappy Chinese bolts.

http://www.hudy.net/xhudy/products/p...&kategoria=538

[fastflyer20]

I use two Ryobi drivers on the heli's all the time. They are not used for final tightening.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-TEK...53LK/202351930

Whatever one you get, look for:
Adjustable torque
2 speeds
Separate lion battery

The Ryobi is the most cost effective one I could find with those features and they have held up well.

[Heli_Jelly]

MIP came out with a gyroscopic powered hex driver

I kid I kid... It's a DeWalt.
Absolutely love it

[zzyzx_cm]

good for disassembly and running bolts down, not for final torque. true for pretty much anything youre working on, not just helis

[Steve Joblin]

Originally Posted by zzyzx_cm

...good for disassembly and running bolts down, not for final torque...

Surprised you don't recommend it for final torgue... seems that is where the real value proposition comes in... ensures that all bolts are tightened the same and correct amounts! Right?

[KSHeli]

Originally Posted by fastflyer20

I use two Ryobi drivers on the heli's all the time. They are not used for final tightening.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-TEK...53LK/202351930

Whatever one you get, look for:
Adjustable torque
2 speeds
Separate lion battery

The Ryobi is the most cost effective one I could find with those features and they have held up well.

Tom that driver with the adjustable torque is no longer available from Ryobi, so take care of the 2 you have. Ryobi and Home Depot still offer the batteries and charger through the store. The driver that replaced it doesn't have the adjustable torque settings.
I found a couple on E-Bay.

[fastflyer20]

It was one of the best deals, all the features for around $30.
I have two

[learnedthehardway]

I'll take the shaft out of my drivers and chuck em up in my 12v Craftsman cordless for disassembling a heli. It does have a variable clutch but I wouldn't trust any of them for final torque, do that by hand/feel. Might trust a torque driver for gunsmithing but with varying amounts of loctite, old threads, different materials, ect the torque required can vary on each screw.
Plus with old or small screws you also use feel to prevent stripping the head which absolutely varies on a per screw basis after they've been run in and out a couple/few times

[Puttputt maru]

More choices on this thread:
https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=736318

I have the Dewalt too and love it. The gyroscopic activation is great for fast or slow rotation and the rachet prevents over torque.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ilpage_o03_s00

I got also the flashlight that uses the same battery, very handy in dark corner of helicopter building.

[zzyzx_cm]

Originally Posted by Steve Joblin

Surprised you don't recommend it for final torgue... seems that is where the real value proposition comes in... ensures that all bolts are tightened the same and correct amounts! Right?

It's the same reason that you don't jam on wheel lugnuts with an impact wrench, a torque wrench or even just your arm can be controlled with much more precision

[Steve Joblin]

Originally Posted by zzyzx_cm

It's the same reason that you don't jam on wheel lugnuts with an impact wrench, a torque wrench or even just your arm can be controlled with much more precision

Sorry...don't buy your logic:

Ferrari F1 Pit Stop Perfection (0 min 56 sec)

This is the driver that I use It has a torque setting so each hex bolt is tightened the same amount. I have it set to "6"