Flexible socket extension drives

[Brian]

I had one of those pain in the rear jobs yesterday - I needed to access an
Allen head bolt and turn it a gnats but access was very limited. Nor did I
have access to my normal tools. In the end, I bought a bit set from a DIY
shed (for an arm and a leg ) with a universal joint, an extension, Allen
bit, etc. With these, and a bit of colourful language, the job was done.
However, thinking over the problem later, I’ve been looking at other
flexible drives.
I’ve only ever used the universal joint type - never the ‘spring’ ones.
The above job may have been perfect for a spring one.
But, looking at one on EBay, it suggests you can only turn them clockwise (
ie tighten)
Is this always so?
It seems a very restrictive, although I can see the spring may ‘unwind’ if
turned the wrong way.

<https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/hex-keys/cat9780003?keyheadtype=hex_head___ball_end>
I've never seen a set with the short arm round-headed for use where
there's limited access above the Allen head bolt as well as to the side.

For the problem I had, they probably wouldn’t work. The access was really
restricted- almost like key hole surgery.

[Brian]

I had one of those pain in the rear jobs yesterday - I needed to access
an Allen head bolt and turn it a gnats but access was very limited. Nor
did I have access to my normal tools. In the end, I bought a bit set
from a DIY shed (for an arm and a leg ) with a universal joint, an
extension, Allen bit, etc. With these, and a bit of colourful language,
the job was done.
However, thinking over the problem later, I’ve been looking at other
flexible drives.
I’ve only ever used the universal joint type - never the ‘spring’ ones.
The above job may have been perfect for a spring one.
But, looking at one on EBay, it suggests you can only turn them
clockwise ( ie tighten)
Is this always so?
It seems a very restrictive, although I can see the spring may ‘unwind’
if turned the wrong way.

The ones I have use a double spring, 'clockwise and anti clockwise' so the
springs can lock in either direction.

Ah, that would work.

Perhaps the one I noticed the note on was a cheapie.

[wasbit]

I had one of those pain in the rear jobs yesterday - I needed to access an
Allen head bolt and turn it a gnats but access was very limited. Nor did I
have access to my normal tools. In the end, I bought a bit set from a DIY
shed (for an arm and a leg ) with a universal joint, an extension, Allen
bit, etc. With these, and a bit of colourful language, the job was done.
However, thinking over the problem later, I’ve been looking at other
flexible drives.
I’ve only ever used the universal joint type - never the ‘spring’ ones.
The above job may have been perfect for a spring one.
But, looking at one on EBay, it suggests you can only turn them clockwise (
ie tighten)
Is this always so?
It seems a very restrictive, although I can see the spring may ‘unwind’ if
turned the wrong way.

If a flat ratchet drive is too tall too gain access I have on one
occasion used just the hex bit & an open ended spanner
-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/OSDUE-Phillips-Screwdriver-Reversible-Ratcheting/dp/B0B4N2LVLH

Or if the worst comes to the worst, a pair of water pump pliers on the
outside but they are likely to graunch up the head.

[Brian]

Post by wasbit

I had one of those pain in the rear jobs yesterday - I needed to access an
Allen head bolt and turn it a gnats but access was very limited. Nor did I
have access to my normal tools. In the end, I bought a bit set from a DIY
shed (for an arm and a leg ) with a universal joint, an extension, Allen
bit, etc. With these, and a bit of colourful language, the job was done.
However, thinking over the problem later, I’ve been looking at other
flexible drives.
I’ve only ever used the universal joint type - never the ‘spring’ ones.
The above job may have been perfect for a spring one.
But, looking at one on EBay, it suggests you can only turn them clockwise (
ie tighten)
Is this always so?
It seems a very restrictive, although I can see the spring may ‘unwind’ if
turned the wrong way.

If a flat ratchet drive is too tall too gain access I have on one
occasion used just the hex bit & an open ended spanner
-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/OSDUE-Phillips-Screwdriver-Reversible-Ratcheting/dp/B0B4N2LVLH
Or if the worst comes to the worst, a pair of water pump pliers on the
outside but they are likely to graunch up the head.

Access was too tight. *I could hardly get my fingers into the gap to guide
the bit into the bolt. Even my wife, who has very small hands, struggled.

Hopefully, I won’t need to repeat the exercise. My question was more out of
interest.

* it was the gap between a vehicle door mirror and the cover. I needed to
twist the whole assembly but the securing bolt was too tight. AFAIK, it is
intended that you can twist the body to get the basic position right. The
bolt is, supposedly, accessible when the mirror is tilted down. At least,
that is the theory.

[Theo]

Post by Brian
Access was too tight. *I could hardly get my fingers into the gap to guide
the bit into the bolt. Even my wife, who has very small hands, struggled.
Hopefully, I won’t need to repeat the exercise. My question was more out of
interest.
* it was the gap between a vehicle door mirror and the cover. I needed to
twist the whole assembly but the securing bolt was too tight. AFAIK, it is
intended that you can twist the body to get the basic position right. The
bolt is, supposedly, accessible when the mirror is tilted down. At least,
that is the theory.

Doing some car stuff recently, it seems like some bolts were designed to be
turned with an electric ratchet with a right angle head. ie there was
enough space to get the socket on there, but if using a manual ratchet there
wasn't enough space to turn the handle even one click on the ratchet, let
alone a spanner. With the electric the body is a bit fatter but you just
press the button and go.

Milwaukee M12 series seems to be the popular one, but I bought a Parkside
one from Lidl for £35 (including battery and charger) and it's probably my
best recent tool purchase in terms of how much easier it made the job.

Theo

[Brian]

Post by Theo

Post by Brian
Access was too tight. *I could hardly get my fingers into the gap to guide
the bit into the bolt. Even my wife, who has very small hands, struggled.
Hopefully, I won’t need to repeat the exercise. My question was more out of
interest.
* it was the gap between a vehicle door mirror and the cover. I needed to
twist the whole assembly but the securing bolt was too tight. AFAIK, it is
intended that you can twist the body to get the basic position right. The
bolt is, supposedly, accessible when the mirror is tilted down. At least,
that is the theory.

Doing some car stuff recently, it seems like some bolts were designed to be
turned with an electric ratchet with a right angle head. ie there was
enough space to get the socket on there, but if using a manual ratchet there
wasn't enough space to turn the handle even one click on the ratchet, let
alone a spanner. With the electric the body is a bit fatter but you just
press the button and go.

Once I had the Allen bit in the bolt, with a universal joint at the bit end
and a 100mm or so extension, I was able to use a racket ( all in the kit I
bought ( although I had them all at home, just not to hand) ). I only
needed the slightest of turns, I doubt 1/8.

Post by Theo
Milwaukee M12 series seems to be the popular one, but I bought a Parkside
one from Lidl for £35 (including battery and charger) and it's probably my
best recent tool purchase in terms of how much easier it made the job.
Theo

Parkside / Lidl tools are surprisingly good for the price and certainly
good enough for general DIY use.

[Chris Green]

Post by Brian

Post by Theo
Milwaukee M12 series seems to be the popular one, but I bought a Parkside
one from Lidl for £35 (including battery and charger) and it's probably my
best recent tool purchase in terms of how much easier it made the job.

Parkside / Lidl tools are surprisingly good for the price and certainly
good enough for general DIY use.

Yes, I've recently bought a whole set of Parkside 12v tools,
drill/driver, circular saw, angle grinder and jig saw. All use the
same batteries so I can use just one charger and have batteries ready
to use when I need them. Also, the 2.4Ah batteries are slim, same
diameter as the drill handle, which I like better than a big mushroom
on the end. I have some 4Ah batteries too.

The drill driver is excellent (I have two of them now, one for home,
one for boat), auto-locking chuck, brushless motor, nice zip case, etc.

They are more freely available in France which is where I bought them
all, on-line, delivered to a local locker (as I'm on a boat here I
don't have a 'real' address for deliveries).

[RJH]

Post by Theo

Post by Brian
Access was too tight. *I could hardly get my fingers into the gap to guide
the bit into the bolt. Even my wife, who has very small hands, struggled.
Hopefully, I won’t need to repeat the exercise. My question was more out of
interest.
* it was the gap between a vehicle door mirror and the cover. I needed to
twist the whole assembly but the securing bolt was too tight. AFAIK, it is
intended that you can twist the body to get the basic position right. The
bolt is, supposedly, accessible when the mirror is tilted down. At least,
that is the theory.

Doing some car stuff recently, it seems like some bolts were designed to be
turned with an electric ratchet with a right angle head. ie there was
enough space to get the socket on there, but if using a manual ratchet there
wasn't enough space to turn the handle even one click on the ratchet, let
alone a spanner. With the electric the body is a bit fatter but you just
press the button and go.

(Even I) have never quite been able to justify one of those - neat though they
are. I generally get by with spanners and bits, and the right angle and offset
attachments for a Bosch screwdriver has paid for itself a few times over:

https://www.bosch-diy.com/gb/en/p/ixo-7-set-06039e0001