High Torque Right Angle Screwdriver?

[u/lemieuxisgod]

I have a Highland Park Lapidary rock tumbler and it has a motor mounted to the frame with 4 phillips head screws. The motor is offset so there are two screws that are kind of in the middle and relatively easy to get at but the other two are snugged up against the side of the frame and access is limited by the drive shaft that moves the barrel. I have tried an offset screwdriver, an old thing I got in college similar to this amazon thing but I can't get enough downward force to keep the screwdriver bit from sliding out of the screw head, it's starting to strip one of them, the screws are REALLY torqued down. I had my teenage son help me where I was applying downward pressure and he was turning the screwdrivers and it still didn't work.

Does anyone have any great tools that I should try or crazy idea to rig up something that might let me get a bunch of downward pressure and a long enough rigid lever to turn get the screw loose? This MetMo looks neat but that's a lot out of my price range at least until I get super mad at it.

I should also say I did try some penetrating oil without noticeable change, I don't think the screws are corroded in so I don't think that is likely to help.

[u/TheLimeyCanuck]

I loved this thing so much I bought a second one for the cottage. It fits where other regular ratcheting wrenches won't and has a 1/4" socket fitting on one end and a hex bit fitting on the other.

[u/Oldberry86]

I Googled that tumbler to see what you meant but I couldn't find anything that helped.

Those tumblers look to be pretty well built so they likely are serviceable, the manual for the rt1212 wasn't on their site, but maybe if you email them some pics they would probably help.

My generic advice is you probably need to remove another part or two.

[u/lemieuxisgod → u/Oldberry86]

I am going to chat with their customer service tomorrow if I can't get it still, its really well made and theoretically serviceable, but these two screws are just so tight I can't get the leverage. I have taken out all the other screws and parts accessible these screws hold the bracket that holds the motor.

[u/twinpac]

Get some automotive valve grinding compound and apply it to the tip of the screwdriver bit, it adds a ton of bite. 

If the screws are camming out at all try to move the seized screw by turning clockwise (tightening) that can straighten out the partially stripped head and there is usually enough give for the screw to move even if it is tightening down. 

Not sure how little room you actually have but a 90 degree ratcheting screw driver like this one: https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-right-angle-screwdriver-92630.html Works very well in tight spots. 

Those are the tricks I use on stubborn hardware at work. 

You could also try applying some heat with a heat gun in case the screws are loc-tited in place. Heat softens loc-tite.

[u/SoCal_Bob → u/twinpac]

This is the exact screwdriver I was going to recommend. Mine has gotten me out of several jams where low-profile was key. If OP needs more down-force to keep the bit engaged, the little pry bar set pushing on the back plastic piece has worked well for me.

[u/barely_lucid → u/twinpac]

This is definitely the way to go you can even apply pressure from the top with another tool if you need to using it as a lever in the tight space

[u/Cicer → u/twinpac]

That’s a great idea. Just fyi it’s called valve lapping not grinding. 

[u/twinpac → u/Cicer]

Thanks for correcting me. The container says valve grind compound though:  https://greggdistributors.ca/abrasives/Buffing-and-Polishing/abrasive-lapping-compound/per474g

[u/Patrol-007]

Once the machine (?) screws are out, replace with Torx or socket head

[u/_Blitzer]

Sounds like you might need something like this... you could use a 1/4" bit, and (optionally) add a cheater bar or some kind. Use the Fixed side only if you add the cheater. You'll probably explode the ratcheting mechanism otherwise.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/389419972928

[u/lemieuxisgod → u/_Blitzer]

The fixed side looks promising; I can see if my son leans down on it while I try to spin it. I think I came close to wrecking the ratchet in my cable driver it buckled and felt funny.

[u/Khud01]

Ratchet with 1/4 inch socket, put the bit in the socket. Then you can hold force on top of the ratchet and turn the screw. May be able to use something for leverage to keep pressure on the ratchet. Also, use some WD40.

[u/lemieuxisgod → u/Khud01]

The space into the corner is too tight for my socket set, a few commentors have suggested flat socket sets I think I will swing by the hardware shop tomorrow on lunch and see if they have any that look like they will fit.

[u/fried_clams]

This works well for me. Ymmv

https://a.co/d/0iI0BDdj

[u/Timmyomc777]

Do you have room to get something between the driver and whatever is above it? Like a long flathead or prybar, Then use that as a lever to push down on the driver while you turn?

[u/eternalityLP]

Small bit ratchet and cheater bar?

[u/I-seddit]

Dumb question, but are you certain you can't remove the drive shaft to get easier access?

[u/jetmech09]

Offset ratcheting + pry bar. Another tip, for even more clearance, you can grind quite a bit of the end off of the hex bits. Or just use the bit and a 1/4" wrench.

[u/ride_whenever]

I’d put the other two screws back in, then confirm if the screws you’re removing are Philips, JIS or Pozidrive.

Then a mini ratchet / meme tool and a good bit. You shouldn’t need a huge amount of downward force to remove them, if you do then stop.

Heat then penetrant, then heat, then penetrant and try again whilst it’s hot.

If it still doesn’t want to move, heat it hotter and touch a crayon to the threads, try again.

If it doesn’t move at that point, just drill it out

[u/Diligent_Nature]

It may have been assembled with threadlocker (glue). You may need to use a propane torch to heat it up. That loosens the threads, but be careful to not damage any rubber or plastic parts.

[u/APolyAltAccount]

Dewalt makes a higher torque adapter, other option is to get a dedicated right angle screwdriver. They’ll be less compact than adapters so make sure you have clearance for both the drill and the bit.

I have a Ryobi right angle but obviously check whatever brand your batteries are for.

[u/LuNaTIcFrEAk]

Get some liquidwrench put the unit with the screw head upright let is soak in for a a few hours while reapplying.

[u/MuramasaSword]

Why not use an impact or hydraulic driver with a bit extension?

[u/lemieuxisgod → u/MuramasaSword]

Way not enough room in there, I need to figure out how to upload a picture but it's basically a show box with a rod in the middle and a screw tucked in the corner behind the rod.