Where To Find LARGE Screwdriver for Lower Unit Plugs?
 

Thanks everyone who has offered info to help me locate a 1/2" blade
screwdriver. I believe I have narrowed down to one screwdriver that is
suitable for me. I appreciate your help.

Jay Chan

Where To Find LARGE Screwdriver for Lower Unit Plugs?
 

wrote in message
ups.com...
Jay, take a VERY close look at the slots in those plugs. If they seem
deeper
in the center than at the edges, they're supposed to be removed with
something called a DZUS driver. My Johnson outboard's drain plugs are
like
this, and a normal screwdriver (which you can get at Sears, by the way)
will
mess up the slots.

I don't think the plug is like what you have described if I remember
this correctly. I will double check it before I order the screwdriver
from Harbor Freight.

Thanks for the warning though.

Jay Chan


Jay, before you bother with Harbor Freight, have you simply walked into a
Sears store? I have tool # 41852. On the handle, it says it's a 3/8" driver.
When measured, it's just a hair under 1/2".

Where To Find LARGE Screwdriver for Lower Unit Plugs?
 

I'm sure you'll hear derogatory remarks about Harbor Freight. I used to
refer to Harbor Freight and Global Tools as being disposable: so cheaply
made that you'll be luck to use a tool more than once.
But when you're on a budget, that may be all you need. I've taken advantage
of the big discounts often.

wrote in message
oups.com...
You can get the same thing from Snap-On or Mac for more money but this
will do the trick. Great for loosening phillip screws that hold lower
unit
together also.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46978

Thanks for the link. It seems to be exactly what I need:
o It has a 1/2" blade that matches the slot size of the plug.
o Its full length looks like quite short that is perfect for the
limited room available for removing the drain plug at the bottom of the
lower unit. That drain plug is pointing kind of downward and the lower
unit is almost touching the ground. These limits the size of a
screwdrive that I can use unless I tilt the motor up.

I need to buy something from Harbor Freight anyway because I have heard
a lot of good things (and bad things) about that place and I want to
try that place to see for myself.

Jay Chan

Where To Find LARGE Screwdriver for Lower Unit Plugs?
 

On Mon, 05 Dec 2005 10:01:29 -0800, wrote:

You can get the same thing from Snap-On or Mac for more money but this
will do the trick. Great for loosening phillip screws that hold lower unit
together also.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46978

Thanks for the link. It seems to be exactly what I need:
o It has a 1/2" blade that matches the slot size of the plug.
o Its full length looks like quite short that is perfect for the
limited room available for removing the drain plug at the bottom of the
lower unit. That drain plug is pointing kind of downward and the lower
unit is almost touching the ground. These limits the size of a
screwdrive that I can use unless I tilt the motor up.

I need to buy something from Harbor Freight anyway because I have heard
a lot of good things (and bad things) about that place and I want to
try that place to see for myself.

Jay Chan

You can change directions as to weather you're loosening or tightening a
screw or bolt. Be sure you push in on the tool with your hand and turn it
to the left to loosen the screw before hitting it with a hammer. If it is
turned to the right this tool is capable of tightening a screw to the
point of twisting the head of the screw off. I never use one to tighten a
screw.

This is a popular tool used to remove the screws that hold many motorcycle
engines together.

I have also used it to take wheel lug nuts loose that someone gets carried
away tightening with an air impact wrench and then they rust in place with
time such as a boat trailer that been submerged and neglected.

Good luck.
--

______m___~¿õ___m_________________

Where To Find LARGE Screwdriver for Lower Unit Plugs?
 

Jay, take a VERY close look at the slots in those plugs. If they seem
deeper
in the center than at the edges, they're supposed to be removed with
something called a DZUS driver. My Johnson outboard's drain plugs are
like
this, and a normal screwdriver (which you can get at Sears, by the way)
will
mess up the slots.

I have checked the slot in the plugs, and they are the same depth from
edge to edge. This means I can use a regular screwdriver instead of
the special kind. Thanks for the warning though.

Jay, before you bother with Harbor Freight, have you simply walked into a
Sears store? I have tool # 41852. On the handle, it says it's a 3/8" driver.
When measured, it's just a hair under 1/2".

I was in Sears a couple days ago, and I checked all the screwdriver in
the store. Nothing was larger than 3/8", and yes I used a measuring
tape to check the width of the blade.

Jay Chan

Where To Find LARGE Screwdriver for Lower Unit Plugs?
 

.. If it is turned to the right this tool is capable of tightening a
screw to the point of twisting the head of the screw off...

Thanks for the warning. I will be careful.

Jay Chan

Where To Find LARGE Screwdriver for Lower Unit Plugs?
 

Over the years I have bought a lot of screwdrivers for this. I ended
up just making one. Usually, even if they are wide enough, the blade
is not thick enough and it still tries to cam out, screwing up the
plug.

You have a point.

When I got my new Merc and it was still in the driveway I took
one of those big screwdrivers with a fairly short shank and made it a
perfect fit with my grinder.

Unfortunately, I don't have a grinder, and I am not about to get one
just for making a screwdriver. ...may be I can get one to sharpen the
blade for my lawn mower...

Grind the end down to the point where it completely fiulls the slot.

It sounds like the type of screwdriver that people use for firearm,
like the screwdriver for setting a scope on a rifle. May be I should
look for one in a gun shop ... but I doubt they have one for 1/2" wide
screw. Seem like I am still better off getting the one from Harbor
Freight, and this is what I am going to do.

Jay Chan