The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Clutch Head drivers/bits

Got a request to start a sticky so they can be referenced more quickly. List your tool numbers and prices and any other important info here for all to see,
Scott

American Classic Truck Parts screwdrivers, bits, driver/bits

Chevs of the 40s clutch head bits and drivers

Classic Parts screwdrivers & driver/bits

Just bought the double ended set on ebay to add to my collection of clutch head bits. Also bought the 8 pc socket set of 4 long and 4 short bits. Sizes 5/32-3/16-1/4-5/16. Delivery was prompt but I'm still waiting for a refund on the combined shipping that the vendor said he would give me:
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/651chriss/m.html stocked in 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16

Have these from McMaster Carr. 1/4 Hex drive, odd lengths:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/117/2811/=bzzp23 stocked in 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 1/4

note: You need the 5/16 for the AD rear fender screws.

Also Scott, I'd much rather see this list in the Tech Tips, there are already WAY to many "STICKIES" to jump over before you get to the meat of the forum. To many heads up, Donations, Edits, etc. there should be a limit on how long a sticky can run. There are stickies in some forums that are 5 years old, I would think by now the idea should have been gotten across. I personally would rather send a newbe to the Tech Tips for an often repeated question rather than see the clutter at the begining of a forum.
DG

I agree with Denny about a Tech Tip, but somebody has to write it up.

Here's an advertisement for clutch-head screws. Notice that one advantage of the clutch head is that a normal screwdriver (of the correct size/fit) can be used.

I think once we have it all it may be made into a tech tip. This is a short term sticky trial run...
Scott

Thank God Scott, so you mean this is gonna be like a fact finding sticky huh.
Tim, I think I heard Scott volunteer for that task. And a flat blade screwdriver.... that sound like its a mirrored from the discussion on the other thread about Clutch Head drivers. Yes, if the screws are not very tight and if you can find a flat blade screw driver that will fit the diameter it is possible to remove or install them clutch head screws with a flat blade screwdriver.
However, I've found it a pain in the ars to locate a blade that fits the slot good. And if the screws are tight (which they usually are) all you succeed in doing is bending the tips of the screw driver blade. I'm in agreement with Grigg on this one. That is, I'm all for using the right tool for the job at hand.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I notice the ad Tim posted shows a different configuration of the "clutch" than the ones I've seen, which are like the McM-C one .... maybe the ad is from when they were first designed and the style that ended up in actual use was simplified?

I've chipped off the corners of a slot screwdriver tip on a tough clutch screw, but I've also gotten a lot of them out that way in the field when I didn't have the right screwdriver with me

Bill

Here is a possible lead-in for the Tech Tip

What are those odd screws that have an hour-glass indentation on their heads? Some people swear that these screws rust and break more readily than standard screws.

These screws are called clutch head screws, and they rust and break no more readily than any other type of screws made out of the same metal. However, with the correct driver head, screws with a clutch head are in fact more easily installed and removed.

The clutch head screw was introduced by American Screw & Bolt and 5 different sizes (supposedly ?) were used : 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16".

[insert magazine advertisement at link in my previous post]

etc

etc



A link to the following Tech Tips might be nice:

bolt and screw removal

clutch head screw removal

"bowtie" (clutch head) screws are often found on RVs

removing a broken bolt

It might also be helpful show links to catalogs/companies that sell these screws in various sizes. Here is a start:

Chevs of the 40s

Classic Parts

Restoration Specialties - in Clutch Head Screws & Accessories

others?

I looked into this a couple of years ago Bill. Yes the clutch head tools and head are simpler than they were originally. The original tool was forged to shape the new tools are cut using two passes with a rotory mill cutter. Much simpler to make the tool so they simpified the broach design also.
I did a little layout of the original design and the simplified one being offered to us now: http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/134156738/large
And the simpified bit here, you can see how easy it is to just take a touch on either side with a bit to make the tool. http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/134157607/large
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

SNAP-ON
CLUTCH HEAD BITS ,Life time warranty about $2.55 each.
Part numbers are
SDM242G
SDM243G
SDM244G
SDM245G
SDM246G

Here are the MCMaster Carr part numbers to use in the future if the catalog page link changes.

Short 1/4" Hex Shank insert bits:
7188A31 Clutch-Head Insert Bit 3/32" Size
7188A21 Clutch-Head Insert Bit 1/8" Size
7188A23 Clutch-Head Insert Bit 5/32" Size
7188A24 Clutch-Head Insert Bit 3/16" Size
7188A32 Clutch-Head Insert Bit 1/4" Size

Longer 1/4" Hex Shank insert bits:
69815A51 Clutch-Head Power Bit 3/32" Size
69815A45 Clutch-Head Power Bit 1/8" Size
69815A46 Clutch-Head Power Bit 5/32" Size
69815A47 Clutch-Head Power Bit 3/16" Size
69815A52 Clutch-Head Power Bit 1/4" Size

First let's clarify the two different styles.
The one with the round portion in the center is called "Clutch style G" and the more plain ones we're familiar with are called "Clutch style A"
Here's a nice page in a book with the description and pictures.
http://books.google.com/books?id=zh...nap-on%20clutch%20a%20or%20g&f=false

The bits webstershotrods listed above are style G, we're probably less likely to use that style.

Snap-on also offers the more common A style as 1/4" hex insert bits under these part numbers:
Bit, Clutch A, 3/32" Stock#: SDM242
Bit, Clutch A, 1/8" Stock#: SDM243
Bit, Clutch A, 5/32" Stock#: SDM244
Bit, Clutch A, 3/16" Stock#: SDM245
Bit, Clutch A, 1/4" Stock#: SDM246
Bit, Clutch A, 5/16" Stock#: SDM247

In adition to the insert bits Snap-On also offers some 1/4" and 3/8" square drive bits to use with your ratchet. (Some of them may simply be the insert bits in a holder, others are forged from one piece.)

Socket Driver, Clutch, Standard, 5/32" Stock#: TM31E
Socket Driver, Clutch, Standard, 3/16" Stock#: TM27E
Socket Driver, Clutch, Standard, 1/4" Stock#: TM30E
Socket Driver, Clutch, Standard, 5/16" Stock#: F30E
Socket Driver, Clutch, Standard, 3/8" Stock#: F29E

Note that they even have a 3/8" size, you're unlikely to find that size bit from someone else so keep Snap-On in mind if you run across a screw needing one.

Grigg

Using a flat blade screwdriver (a "normal" screw driver) is not my idea, it is illustrated and it is described as an advantage in the advertisement by the clutch-head manufacturer.

Thanks Grigg, those are very clear source listings. Interesting page in that book, I never new there were the two styles, just thought they abandoned the old style for the new one.
I went to the Snap-On site, first time I ever broke down and talked myself into buying a Snap-On tool, spent 45 min. ordering and filling out the squares for all of their clutch head bits only to have the order come up with an error on the last page of the check out and wouldn't let me back up. Now I'm not in the mood and they probably won't get the hundred bucks out of me again. Been a very non-productive day form me, some times I hate the internet!!!!

DG

Just noticed there is a contradiction between Tim's old sales literature and both the snap-on catalog and the Google book link.

The original literature calls the type with the round portion in the center "Type A"
Both the others call the round center one type G, and type A is the more plain hourglass shape.

I'd trust the later, but odd to see the confusion.

Again, from what I've seen we use the plain hourglass looking ones, what snap-on calls type A

Grigg

Found out the hard way that Snap on considers the "A" type to be the one with the round center insert (SDM242 through SDM247). Now I need to return these.
For plain hourglass, we want what Snap calls "G" type (SDM242G through SDM246G).