Broken Socket Adapter

[mculik5]

I was putting 1/2" lag screws in a deck ledger board yesterday using the Centrotec 3/8" socket adapter (495133) and my Ti15. I had to put 30 screws in. I got through 22 before the socket adapter snapped.

Anyone have any suggestions for a stronger socket adapter?

Also, was I asking too much of the Ti15? It drove the screws slowly, but without issue. I don't want to overheat it/wear it out.

Thanks.

 

[AlexThePalex]

That adapter is not rated for impact use, only for use with normal drills.

I don't know about any Festool centrotec adapter that is impact rated. I don't think they have any.

The Ti15 sould be ok with these screws. If there's a chance it overheats, it will shut of by itself.

 

[mculik5]

Oh...didn't realize it's not rated for impact use...

I thought any drill attachment with that green rubber ring is rated for impact use. That's not correct?

 

[Birdhunter]

Did you predrill the holes?

I find predrilling the holes and applying a little bee's wax to the threads greatly reduces stress on the drill.

 

[six-point socket]

Oh...didn't realize it's not rated for impact use...

I thought any drill attachment with that green rubber ring is rated for impact use. That's not correct?

Hi!

No, not every drill/driver accessory is impact rated - the green rubber ring does not indicate "rated for impact use". And I'm with Alex, I have no idea which Festool accessories would be rated for impact use.

And as far as I know the Ti15 is not really meant to be used with sockets - especially not when using an adapter from 6.4 mm HEX to 3/8" ... This is true torture for the 6.4 mm HEX shaft and the whole machine thereafter. The Ti15 is not an 3/8" or 1/2" impact driver

And you're really quite lucky it just broke. I'm really and honestly happy you didn't get hurt! If you use bits/sockets/accessories that are not rated for impact use they can literally burst, this happens especially with very hard drill/driver bits and accessories. Drill/driver bits and accessories rated for impact use are especially tempered to be rather tough that just hard (=brittle).

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Holmz]

Oliver,
Is it in the fine print? Or how would he know it?

 

[six-point socket]

Oliver,
Is it in the fine print? Or how would he know it?

Hi!

I'd like to say common sense but thats not really true. It's more like educate yourself about the tool, it's capabilities and the accessories you're going to use.

You can use adapters to go anywhere. I could take my 1/4" / 6.4 mm HEX drive Snap-On T72 ratchet, use the 3/8" drive adapter mentioned in this thread, add a 3/8" -> 1/2" drive adapter, add a 1/2" -> 3/4" drive adapter .... until I get to 1 1/2" drive... Should I do it? Obviously not. Do I need to be a trained mechanic to know that this is not going to play out in my favor? Again, obviously not. And I don't need any fine print for that.

And now imagine that with the force of a power tool driving it.

Why would I place a 3/8" drive socket on a 1/4" drive tool? I will never understand why Festool added the adapter in question to the Centrotec HD installers set for example - because this is effectively the result: people trying to place a 3/8" drive socket on a 1/4" drive tool. This will work once, twice maybe a hundred times and nothing will happen - but it's not what the machines are made for. And in case of the adapter: it's the use with an impact driver that it is probably not meant to be for.

With a little bit of knowledge about soft and hard screw-joints you'll sooner or later find out that there are different types of bits for different purposes. Now, while a hard bit would be the right choice for soft screw-joints, it's not so much in combination with an impact driver. And the same goes for sockets or any kind of adapter - if it goes on an impact driver it should be rated for that, meaning it is tempered to be tough and not just hard (=brittle).

I have no idea if Festool says the bits and adapters that come with the various sets are good for use with an impact driver, but judging from this experience they're obviously not. And it doesn't surprise me as the Ti15 is discontinued, so there is no need for impact rated accessories. A picture of that broken adapter would be great, btw.

In the end: using an adapter to go up in size is almost always a very bad choice. You can do that if you know what you are doing/ asking of the tools involved. But it's hard on the tools, hard on the accessories - especially with the power an impact driver can generate. The weakest link will eventually break when doing this.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[AlexThePalex]

Is it in the fine print? Or how would he know it?

It is safe to say that if it isn't specifically mentioned, it is not impact rated. People who work with impact drivers are generally aware there is a difference. If you're new to it, you'll find out soon enough.

I have no idea if Festool says the bits and adapters that come with the various sets are good for use with an impact driver, but judging from this experience they're obviously not. And it doesn't surprise me as the Ti15 is discontinued, so there is no need for impact rated accessories. A picture of that broken adapter would be great, btw.

When Festool still sold the Ti15, they had some bits and accessories that were impact rated. They're now probably discontinued along with the Ti15.

I don't see a problem with using sockets with the socket adapter, I do it all the time with my T15. There are plenty of bolts that aren't that big and tight. I often use the drill for the quick in/out spin and then tighten it with a wrench/ratchet.

 

[six-point socket]

I don't see a problem with using sockets with the socket adapter, I do it all the time with my T15. There are plenty of bolts that aren't that big and tight. I often use the drill for the quick in/out spin and then tighten it with a wrench/ratchet.

Hi!

Yeah, if used in the same way that you describe, there is no problem. But a lot of people don't know that, and they think: "it fits, so it's going to work..." And because there is no immediate problem they feel confirmed and go on until it's to late.

I feel usage like this simply shouldn't be endorsed when other tools that will do the job better are available.

Like I said, I'm happy it's just the adapter in this case.

Kind regards,
Oliver