Power tools?

I use them on everything (vehicles, home, even snowboards) except my bikes. I tried to do it once, but there's just something about a T-handle and a torque wrench that just seems right.

Edit: after thinking about it, my bike is the only thing I turn a wrench on that I'm not in a hurry with. Therapeutic maybe, or the fact that a rushed over bolt could end badly. If it was my job to work on bikes, I might feel different but I've had a lot of the same tools for the 25 years I've worked on my own bikes so why fix it if ain't broke, durr.

My buddy does car restos and for most stuff its a no.

Larger stuff he will use power to spin it on/in, but once you've worked on stuff you almost don't need a torque wrench ever.
He finishes everything with the real tool.

Keep in mind, You tube shit is trying to sell you something. Like, Power tools.

"And now, I'm going to use this 700 Foot lbs of Torque 18 Volt Brand XXXX tool to tighten this 8mm triple clamp pinch bolt!"

I use a dewalt impact all the time. With enough experience you wont strip bolts

Really depends on what type. I have a great hammer drill that has an adjustable clutch that can be adjusted to be weak enough that it wouldn't strip any lightweight fasteners.

If you're worried, then use it for disassembly only.

An impact wrench is great. I thought I didn't want to use one but they come in handy for so many things. You dont need a super powerful one, but for hard to loosen nuts and bolts, it works wonders. Usually your trigger pull dictates how fast it goes which I go slow for some (usually fastening), and faster for unfastening.

I use air tools and electric power tools but also have no problem using T handles either . Air wrenches are easier to get a feel for the threads than electric impact wrenches but its just a matter of getting use to the tools you are using.

Disassembly is so much faster with them.

I use my impact wrench for disassembly, much faster. But for assembly I prefer the feel of manual tools.

That's a pretty good guide line and or advice for anyone. I will pass that one on.

I bought a 2017 KTM used and it had 3 bolts with the heads broken off. I can pretty much guarantee it was from power tools. A T handle is fast enough and I've never broken a bolt with one.

I use my impact for disassembly. T handle and torque wrench for assembly.

I have a Milwaukee m12 ratchet, it's nice because you can use the motor or tighten by hand if it's going into aluminum.

I have experience applying power tools in a factory setting. We use a lot of cordless power tools on the line to save hardware rundown time and final torques on non-critical joints.

We use all Bosch guns for impact and applications where we only care about getting the joint or screw tight. Impact style guns are not precise with torque and are limited by a torque setting tolerance of +/- 50%. These will be similar to your DeWalts, Makitas, Milwaukee, Etc.

A high quality Panasonic power gun can be trusted to +/-20% of the rated torque. You can buy these for home use but they are expensive. If you are a serious mechanic and build a lot of bikes with impact guns, spending money on a nice Panasonic gun would be justifiable because the torque can be adjusted and they are more accurate.

A standard clicker torque wrench is good for +/-10%. Also the cheapest solution.

To get better than 10%, typically talking about DC tooling with computer monitoring systems that are restricted to factory applications.

Always torque the bolts with a clicker wrench. Keep the threads dry and clean (unless otherwise noted) and leave the impact guns for disassembly and rundown only.

I am a certified aircraft mechanic(A&P), who happens to love bikes too. Never used or even saw a "power tool" in A&P

school. Never used one on any airplane. Snapped off bolts and stripped threads=$$$$. ok.

What about your $10k bike?

Or do you care about someone else's $10k bike?

For some, it's about time and money. Saving and making. In the current internet/Craigslist/Ebay times, stripped out,

cracked, destroyed replacement parts are just a click or two away for the home "mechanic" at decent prices.

The only exception to my NO POWER TOOLS ON BIKES is to remove a clutch basket nut or ancient lower fork leg allen

bolt. I have lots of bikes and many vintage bikes that have never been apart, especially the lower fork legs, where

special holders would have to be fabricated or purchased. Take a close look at the parts after a power tool has been

used- often damaged or show accelerated wear. Again, is it yours or someone else's? Is it rare or one of a kind,

irreplaceable or original? Do you care? Just the cost of doing business? Or part of routine maintenance?

Do you save money not buying that clutch basket holding tool or just slip a penny or nickel in-between the primary gear

and clutch basket gear? I've done both with satisfactory and catastrophic results. Along with power tools, do you buy

and use cheap hand tools? Quality tools were pointed out to me by old school mechanics that maintained fleet aircraft.

The quality tools maintained fastener integrity much longer and prevented rounded bolt heads and phillips screw

degradation for example. Do you ever have your torque wrench calibrated? A/C mechanics do. Do you know about

torquing screwdrivers? Get those calibrated too. Some fasteners require certain temperatures when torquing.

What do airplanes and bikes have to do with each other? Lots of aluminum and are relatively fragile. Many bikes use

butter soft, cheap fasteners to save money. The dealership is there to make money. Time is money. Saving time and

charging book rates makes even more money. At your expense. See, it's not only the power tool but also the quality of

the socket or accessory bit. Combination of over torquing and worn tools does the damage/wear.

Never use power tools on a bike unless a rare exception and buy quality hand tools when possible. You will save money

in the long run.

Add me to the "power for disassembly, hand tools for assembly" club.

I like them for disassembly. They have saved me many times when buying used bikes when somebody has “worked” on it before and something is almost stripped. A t handle is almost quicker to put back to get her tho. I like to feel how tight I’m going

Same.

I use Makita just because I have a lot of batteries for them. And they sponsored RC . Look how fast he was. I should get faster, too, since I'm using a Makita power tool AND Slick wash. Right? I mean, that's how it works, right?

Seriously, the ranch bought Makita tools and they've been holding up great for me in lots and lots of non-bike use.

I'm in the "use them for disassembly" club. I do prefer to use hand tools for assembly.

I use them for disassembly and assembly. However I generally always start the bolt with my fingers to avoid stripping. No issues that I can think of. Purchased plenty of bikes where you could tell an air ratchet was used on everything (if it doesn't fit, you just use a sheet metal screw...right?).

Thought this thread was about RexEasely

But now that I’m here Power tools are for construction not to work on your bike. Ratchet/Socket set & screw drivers it is.