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  #11  
Old 08-06-2015, 01:36 PM
DHeal DHeal is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Windsor, California
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The lighter and smaller the better. A touch of grinding compound on the tip of the Phillips head bit helps when removing tough screws.
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  #12  
Old 08-06-2015, 02:57 PM
rdoerr01 rdoerr01 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 117
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+1 for the Bosch. I have one similar to this and have used it for many years for screws on the RV-10.


http://www.boschtools.com/Products/T...px?pid=PS22-02
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  #13  
Old 08-06-2015, 04:49 PM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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I use a Harbor Freight cordless and run the clutch down to minimum torque. Works well if you have run a tap through your nut plates first. Just ensure each has gone "home" and not stalled out before bottoming out.
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  #14  
Old 08-06-2015, 05:51 PM
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Location: Perryville, MD
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Snap On speed handle with appropriate apex bit.
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  #15  
Old 08-06-2015, 06:17 PM
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ackselle ackselle is offline
 
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Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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+1 for cordless impact and screws. Great control. No slip.
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  #16  
Old 08-06-2015, 09:43 PM
DaveWelch DaveWelch is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
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Dittos for the power tools. There are just too many screws, multiple installs and removals for these old arms and wrists. Definitely concur with the importance of torque control.
Perhaps most important...use best quality bits. I've had good results with Snap-On Phillips and flat tip bits, their shape is less prone to strip out the screw heads.
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  #17  
Old 08-06-2015, 09:55 PM
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Arvey Fleur Arvey Fleur is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 51
Default This one!

http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DEC...00-A/202019856
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  #18  
Old 08-07-2015, 05:33 AM
novipilot novipilot is offline
 
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Location: Novi, MI & Venice, FL
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveWelch View Post
Perhaps most important...use best quality bits.
Ditto on using quality bits and throwing them way when required. Can not stress this point enough.
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  #19  
Old 08-07-2015, 05:56 AM
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bullojm1 bullojm1 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Baltimore, MD
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I went through a handful of cordless drills before I found the Black and Decker LDX120C 20 Volt Lithium Ion drill. The drill is lightweight and the battery lasts a very long time - for my annual, I never have any fatigue in my hand and the battery lasts without needing any charging. The clutch system works flawlessly for automatically disengaging the drill once the proper torque has been achieved.

Amazon and Home Depot have it for around $55, and the reviews for the drill are in the 4.5+/5 stars range. The only regret about this drill I have is that I did not buy it during my build. I consider it my favorite tool now!



Since my purchase, Black and Decker has released a version with 2 speeds - the LDX220SB model (0-400/0-1400 RPM Settings). It goes for about $70 on Amazon. I haven't found the need for multiple speed settings for the one I have.
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  #20  
Old 08-07-2015, 07:25 AM
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AlexPeterson AlexPeterson is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Maple Grove, MN
Posts: 2,333
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I like my Milwaukee M12 Drill (not the driver linked earlier). Most drivers probably have a light, but I'd consider that mandatory after having used a drill with it. I like the battery being part of the handle, and not a large appendage to it. Those make more sense for construction type of work.

For aircraft building/maintaining, another necessary feature for any drill or driver is minimum clutch torque. The M12 drill, when set at "1" or "2" on clutch torque, is perfect for driving #8 screws. More powerful drills may have a minimum torque which is too high.

Chuck quality is another factor to consider or research.

Lots of choices...
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