Screw Driver

[dsm8]

Good Evening builders:

I have been getting increasingly frustrated with the stripping of screws, screws that have been installed once, and when it comes time for disassembly may of them strip out. I would expect this from the Aviation section of Home Depot, but these are screws purchased from the mothership or Aircraft spruce.

I must assume that it is the screwdrivers I am using. Occasionally I use my Dewalt 8v screwdriver and have purchased a variety of bits. At the first time of stripping, I switch a manual screwdriver. I have tried Craftsman, Rigid, and others. Should I be using anti-seize or boelube on these screws?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have read the recent post regarding screwdrivers and inspection panels.

[NinerBikes]

Originally Posted by dsm8

Good Evening builders:

I have been getting increasingly frustrated with the stripping of screws, screws that have been installed once, and when it comes time for disassembly may of them strip out. I would expect this from the Aviation section of Home Depot, but these are screws purchased from the mothership or Aircraft spruce.

I must assume that it is the screwdrivers I am using. Occasionally I use my Dewalt 8v screwdriver and have purchased a variety of bits. At the first time of stripping, I switch a manual screwdriver. I have tried Craftsman, Rigid, and others. Should I be using anti-seize or boelube on these screws?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have read the recent post regarding screwdrivers and inspection panels.

The plane I bought built in 2012 had been retrofitted with all Torx bit Pan head or Truss head SS screws. Use a screw gun that has a slip clutch torque setting when you tighten up your screws, and set the torque setting lower. Also, the clutch works better if you thread with the slow speed instead of the high speed setting. I find the Torx heads have far more bite from the bit, and are less liable to strip the driver heads out.

[David Paule]

The factory screws are not particularly strong. They are made from relatively soft steel. Replace them with screws made of 125 ksi to 160 ksi steel and that problem goes away.

Dave

[kreidljj]

I use valve lapping compound on the tip of the screwdriver - miracle in tube. Switching all access panels over to Torx drive screws are the ultimate solution.

- Jason Kreidler

[TimO]

I had some local guys tell me they used Philips P2R bits rather than the standard #2 and they hold much better. I don't know that the tip itself should really be all that much different, but the ones they gave me worked much better than the tips that I had been buying. I picked some up locally and they are all I use now. But I don't know that all brands are equal. You may have to try a few to find one you like. But grab some at the local hardware store and see if you can find a brand that works better than the bits you're using now.
Torx will be better, for sure, but if you want to stay with standard hardware, it's a potential help.

[Taltruda]

I love the JIS screw drivers. Stands for Japanese Industrial Standard. And they fit Phillips screws better than any Philips screwdrivers. Look them up on Youtube, buy them on amazon. I need to find just the bits for my electric screw drivers. .

[BobTurner]

I think there are some magic screwdrivers. Maybe all SnapOns, I don’t know. But years ago I bought a mid-priced Craftsman #2. It worked great. I had partners in a 182, and virtually every year, at annual, one of my partners would call out, “I can’t get this screw out. Where’s Bob’s screwdriver?” And sure enough, that screwdriver would get the screw out. More recent Craftsman drivers seem to have lost the magic. I do use an electric screwdriver, but always unscrew the first half turn by hand, and likewise the final turn or two by hand when installing a screw. The torque release mechanism just seems a little too variable.

[scard]

Just to be clear, what are we talking about here with "stripping" of the screws. Do you mean stripping the threads, or the cross point "Phillips" tool camming out?

In either case, a power screwdriver, can be a very dangerous weapon.

[Taltruda]

Originally Posted by BobTurner

I think there are some magic screwdrivers. Maybe all SnapOns, I don’t know. But years ago I bought a mid-priced Craftsman #2. It worked great. I had partners in a 182, and virtually every year, at annual, one of my partners would call out, “I can’t get this screw out. Where’s Bob’s screwdriver?” And sure enough, that screwdriver would get the screw out. More recent Craftsman drivers seem to have lost the magic. I do use an electric screwdriver, but always unscrew the first half turn by hand, and likewise the final turn or two by hand when installing a screw. The torque release mechanism just seems a little too variable.

I'm telling you. .these JIS screwdrivers are so awesome, you can snap the head off before the cross point slips!

[snopercod]

Klein #2 Phillips screwdrivers are the gold standard. I've also used "Southwire" screwdrivers from Lowe's and they actually last as long as the Kleins.