# Screw everything

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Tags:** tools-electric-diy\
**Created:** [October 2, 2022, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579 "2022-10-02T13:27:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/21 "2022-10-02T15:57:12Z")

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A long time ago I found that by organizing my work area, it made everything else easier and less frustrating. It is kind of fun for me to do it.

Maybe the organizing is left over from my carrier duty. Tight and limited spaces, requires organization.

My workbench in my first house was always a mess and tools were in a variety of toolboxes. Everything was harder. So the second house I got organized as I had a huge unfinished basement and plenty of room.

This house, I didn’t really feel properly moved in until I had finished building my workbench. It was 2.5 months later.

The garage had a 1st and 2nd pass but finally got 100% organized over the last few weeks. Combined with the redo of the craft area I think after 21 months I’m done with the organizing.

Time for the next project …

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**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/22 "2022-10-02T16:06:50Z")

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The problem with a perfectly-organized workspace is that then, when you do get a new tool, there isn’t a place for it already, and you have to find one, possibly redoing much of your existing organization to make room.

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**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/23 "2022-10-02T16:23:49Z")

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Great thread title. And yes, screwing IS fun!

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**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/24 "2022-10-02T16:33:43Z")

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> [@What\_Exit](#):
>
> This house, I didn’t really feel properly moved in until I had finished building my workbench. It was 2.5 months later.

We’ve been in this house a bit over a year and I still need to figure out how best to utilize the space in the garage. My wife has hoarding… tendencies, so theres a small mountain of crap that pretty much overwhelms the space. If we could get rid of 90% of that junk – and it’s truly junk – I’d have room for a workbench and tool storage.

> **[20220916-182650 hosted at ImgBB](https://ibb.co/3F0Gqd8)**
>
> Image 20220916-182650 hosted in ImgBB

Since we’ve always been tenants and I’m not much of a hobbyist I’m getting a late start on my tool collection. Most of what I have are small hand tools and a few yard tools, most of them fit in the big tool box seen in the pic.

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**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/25 "2022-10-02T16:46:27Z")

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In addition to driving screws, you can use your impact driver on nuts and bolts. Just purchase an adapter set (like [this](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010GJF8N8/)) and attach a socket.

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**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/26 "2022-10-02T17:00:47Z")

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> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> In addition to driving screws, you can use your impact driver on nuts and bolts.

I’m assuming what you (and the OP and everyone else in this thread) is referring to when you say “impact driver” is a traditional battery powered drill/screw gun with an impact setting or feature and NOT what I picture as being an traditional impact driver: a pneumatic tool that has a (usually) ½" drive head on which a heavy-duty socket attaches. Mechanics use them a lot: go to any tire and alignment shop and you’ll hear those tools being used all day long.

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**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/27 "2022-10-02T17:14:20Z")

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Lord, grant me the screw gun, the impact driver, and the wisdom to know which to use for a given task.

Amen.

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/28 "2022-10-02T17:23:23Z")

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I’m not always consistent in the terminology for these devices. Impact drivers are usually the things looking like drill drivers but have a dedicated impact drive mechanism. Then there are impact wrenches covering the wide middle-ground between impact drivers and their much bigger brothers impact drills and hammers. The impact wrench is the pneumatic tool used by mechanics. The impact wrench can pull a wheel stud through a brake disk by tightening a nut on it. Most uses on a car don’t require that kind of torque to install a bolt but often it’s necessary to remove one that’s been there a long time. It’s sometimes a necessity for some of the heavy coarse threaded screws and bolts like Grade 8 stuff. The impact driver is mainly used for smaller screws, nuts, and bolts. Many of them only have a 1/4" drive but that will drive a 1/4" lag screw easily. They can be used when a drill driver would do but there is a danger of overtorquing the fastener with an impact driver instead of a drill driver.

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/29 "2022-10-02T17:40:15Z")

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I’m obligated to point out that I have a Sears radial arm saw that is even older than yours.  
Mine is this generation:  
[![](https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c5ef481432dd6f96d27f5e3f79c9f1f2) ](https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-c5ef481432dd6f96d27f5e3f79c9f1f2)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/30 "2022-10-02T17:45:37Z")

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I’m in. 1956 DeWalt MBF:

[![](https://www.lumberjocks.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.lumberjocks.com/attachments/lhri40i-jpg.2593917/) ](https://www.lumberjocks.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.lumberjocks.com/attachments/lhri40i-jpg.2593917/)

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**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/31 "2022-10-02T17:50:30Z")

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> [@What\_Exit](#):
>
> this is my basement workshop

I’m not religious but I swear I heard a chorus of angels.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/32 "2022-10-02T17:52:26Z")

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Mine is from around 1962 or 63. I bought it back in 1994 I believe from the original owner. $200

The bandsaw was a real bargin, only $100 including the stand and a bunch of blades and sanding belts.

Tablesaw I bought new on sale for about $400. Also with stand

The lathe was free but needed a motor and a lot of work. I put it back together for under $30.

Sold it 2 years ago for $30 I think.

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/33 "2022-10-02T17:55:31Z")

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You got me beat, my RAS is from '59. But I do have a 1947 Delta bandsaw. I have to find places for new acquisitions of old tools.

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**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/34 "2022-10-02T19:49:26Z")

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Looks like someone has a [Garrett Wade](https://garrettwade.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw7eSZBhB8EiwA60kCW5V5eZC5kghQlymcO0oAECC1-X49QGEmteoiopswfxhY3QE2ueW3bBoCwK0QAvD_BwE) addiction …

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/35 "2022-10-02T20:08:04Z")

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I never heard of them. Am I missing a joke?

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**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/36 "2022-10-02T20:12:06Z")

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Garrett Wade are an online [I also think they have a physical store?] that sells all sorts of amazing stuff - tools, tools, and more tools of niftyness! They occasionally buy old warehouses and end up selling neat crap like antique Sabatier knives, once they had Japanese ultra fine cabinetry saws, and arcane tools like dovetail jig makers. Every time mrAru or I go window shopping on their site, we have to restrain ourselves from buying really cool tools!

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**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/37 "2022-10-02T20:12:52Z")

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> [@Lancia](#):
>
> I’m assuming what you (and the OP and everyone else in this thread) is referring to when you say “impact driver” is a traditional battery powered drill/screw gun with an impact setting or feature

Correct.

An [impact driver](https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcf885m2/20v-max-14-impact-driver-kit) has a 1/4" hex chuck. It’s primarily used to drive self-tapping screws into wood using hex bit. But I’ve also used mine to tighten/loosen standard hex bolts and nuts using an [adapter set](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010GJF8N8/). Of course, it can’t produce much torque when doing that. When I need a lot of torque (e.g. loosening lug bolts), I’ll use an [impact wrench](https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcf900b/20v-max-xrr-12-high-torque-impact-wrench-hog-ring-anvil). An impact wrench has a 1/2" square drive.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2022, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/38 "2022-10-03T00:16:11Z")

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> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> In addition to driving screws, you can use your impact driver on nuts and bolts. Just purchase an adapter set (like [this](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010GJF8N8/)) and attach a socket.

Thank you did not know that!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2022, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/39 "2022-10-03T01:32:25Z")

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Hex bit sets often include a 1/4" drive adapter. If you have 3/8" and 1/2" socket adapters already you can use them in combination with a 1/4" adapter if it doesn’t become unwieldy. A set of [hex drive sockets](https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-Drive-Socket-10-Piece-SHB90102/dp/B07RWVS164/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=2VH6ZP7W9HS4Y&keywords=1%2F4%2Bhex%2Bdrive%2Bsocket%2Bset&qid=1664760620&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjY4IiwicXNhIjoiMS4xMCIsInFzcCI6IjEuMzAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=1%2F4%22%2Bhex%2Bdrive%2Bsocket%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1) is nice to have also.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2022, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-everything/972579/40 "2022-10-03T10:57:09Z")

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> [@Isamu](#):
>
> Oh my, screwing is fun! Screwing for me used to be making a hole and then twisting a metal screw into the wood. Takes a lot of time. Not anymore. wow, the wood just sucks in the screws.
> 
> I know I am decades behind, but if you haven’t played with an impact driver, please find the time to do so. I want to screw everything now.

You may not want to get a chainsaw, lest you quickly rationalize cutting down every tree in sight.

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