Impact Screw Remover
If ever there was a useless blog, this has to be it. But I am so excited about my new tool, I can’t help but tell you about it.
In the past, I have occasionally been blocked in a repair by screws (bolts) that I simply could not remove. In the first photo, you can see the arrows that point to such screws. The screw on the left controls the locking lever which often gets loose so that it locks the pruner when you are using it. By replacing the washer under it, you can increase the friction that keeps it from moving freely. The screw on the right has to be removed if the blade needs to be brought closer to the hook.
Here’s how you use an impact screw remover. You place the bit into the screw head and strike the driver with a hammer. The device will not only apply a downward force, but a twisting force at the same time. The twisting force can either be set to tighten or loosen.
Now, would you ever use this tool? You really have to be serious about fixing things.
Stan, The Excited Tool Man
Ever pinched your hand using a pruner? Well, if not, you don’t know what you are missing. LaVille didn’t miss out, and you can see the results on her hand. This injury frequently occurs when using a pruner with a sliding lock mechanism. The plastic lock always seems to have sharp corners, and when you close the handles, the skin of your palm can get trapped.
The second photo shows a badly rusted spring. If you soak a rusted spring in vinegar, it will remove the rust and work much smoother, especially with the addition of WD-40. Note that the top spring in the first photo and the treated spring in the third photo certainly don’t appear new, but they will work just fine. This may be the experience that hooks you on cleaning the rust off your tools.
It’s easy with springs because any small container will work. I use a measuring cup. If you choose to tackle the whole pruner, try a plastic take out container. It’s recommended that you dilute the vinegar to 50% with water. A black substance will replace the rust. It is different iron oxide that appears to shield the iron from more rusting.
I was headed out to the roses, but never made it. A week ago LaVille and I had attacked the Australian Somethin Or Nuthers. (I thought they were Johnny Jump Ups.) You can see the Australians are all entangled in the base of the rose where we were loathe to reach.
Well, as I walked by pots of Abutilons, I noticed small weeds growing in the pots—mainly baby tears and oxalis. I found that the long tweezer forceps I was carrying could very easily pull the weeds out. Now, perhaps you personally have no need for 12 inch tweezers.
