Long right angled screwdriver

[Erico19]

Hello,
I want to tighten a screw at the back of a radiator. Instead of removing the radiator, I thought it would be better to use a ratchet screwdriver or a right angle screwdriver. However the screw is at 20 cm depth. I would appreciate any advice from you on the best tool to use to tighten the screw instead of removing the radiator as i can't find as long right angled screwdriver / ratchet screwdriver. Thank you.

Thank you.

 

[Chuck]

I once made a pair of long-handled right-angle screw drivers by sawing a standard one in half and welding extension bars to the ends. Didn't work because the blade-end was too difficult to control and kept slipping/springing out of the slot. This is probably why tool shops don't sell them.

I'm a tortoise not a hare, so my advice is to take the radiator off. Only then will you'll have enough access to do the job properly (apply some thread lock / install a bigger Rawlplug / whatever) so it doesn't need doing again.

 

[Erico19]

I once made a pair of long-handled right-angle screw drivers by sawing a standard one in half and welding extension bars to the ends. Didn't work because the blade-end was too difficult to control and kept slipping/springing out of the slot. This is probably why tool shops don't sell them.

I'm a tortoise not a hare, so my advice is to take the radiator off. Only then will you'll have enough access to do the job properly (apply some thread lock / install a bigger Rawlplug / whatever) so it doesn't need doing again.

Thank you for your response. Strange given the availability of long spanners and wrenches. Taking off the radiator is more challenging for me...what about "Flexible screwdriver angle extension shafts", are they any good?

 

[Erico19]

I can only find Mini Ratchet in Amazon....

 

[ShaunCorbs]

1/4 inch spanner and a 1/4 pozi bit ? Prob need to epoxy or weld it to the spanner so there’s no movement

Or if you have room Milwaukee right angle attachment and a long 1/4 extension?

 

[Basher]

In such circumstances I just hold the appropriate size bit in (the inner curved part of) the jaws of gas pliers/ slip joint pliers, and holding tightly there's usually no problem getting enough torque or pressure!

Alternatively super low profile ratchet driver wrench with bits ( 1/4" 6.35mm) ENGINEER DR-27 | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/super-low-profile-ratchet-driver-wrench-with-bits-1-4-6-35mm-ENGINEER-DR-27-/266817001774?
Similar low profile things on Amazon.

Edit: Just realised you said "screw is at 20cm depth" do you mean it is recessed by 20cm into the radiator? In which case ignore the above.
What is the clearance to get into the recess - if that's much less than 20cm probably easier to take radiator off!

 

[Erico19]

Thank you for your response. The screw is located 18 cm from the top of the radiator and can only be accessed from above, not from the side. I thought a long ratchet wrench might allow me to tighten the screw without having to remove the radiator.

 

[Dan]

moved thread to the tools forum.

 

[marvoni]

I have a Dewalt flexible shaft bit-holder attachment that works surprisingly well but the cheaper ebay versions are rubbish. You'll still need about 40mm gap between the radiator and the wall to get it in and it won't be easy to put enough pressure on it to stop it skipping in the screw thread. I'd also advise you're probably going to waste time and money going the gynecology route and easier in the long run to just remove the radiator.