What Your Power Tools Are Trying to Tell You

Tool: Drill, Screw Gun

Problem: You're driving a screw and the bit starts skipping out of the screwhead.

What the Tool is Trying to Tell You: Either the bit tip is used up or you're holding the tool incorrectly.

When a screw gun starts chattering out of a screwhead, it's called "camming out," and it can mean one of a few things. First, your driver tip could be wearing out. Take a look at it, and if the edges are becoming rounded at all, replace it. Over time the sharp edges of the bit get beaten down and lose their ability to grip the screwhead.

Camming out can also point to an error on your part. To properly drive screws, you need to make sure that the screw gun is pointing straight into the screw. If you're holding the tool even slightly out of alignment, your bit tip won't hold as well and could slip. Also, make sure that you're pressing with adequate force to drive the screw. If you're driving longer fasteners or screws into dense hardwoods and the bit skips, this could be the problem.

Whatever the cause, don't just charge ahead in frustration. Camming out can quickly strip the screwhead, and then you've opened up a whole new set of problems. Stop what you're doing and figure out what is wrong or it will cost you more time in the long run.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/reviews/power-tools/what-your-power-tools-are-trying-to-tell-you?src=rss

pat sajak vanna white michael robinson joe paterno memorial service taco bell breakfast menu ener1 national chocolate cake day