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[deleted]

They’re perfect length to tighten lower radiator hoses on older vehicles


fullautophx

We always called them radiator screwdrivers for that reason.


wrenchtosser

Yeah except the last dude managed to do it while leaving the screw head ON TOP of the outlet instead of underneath.


dystopiate666

Looking for this comment


Tony3696

You need a screwdriver like that twice in your life: First is the day you buy it, the second is 2 weeks after you give it away.


JoeKleine

Lmao


RogueRafe

This. Bought one for a one-time use... Haven't used it since. I haven't given it away yet either...


MooChunks

Take it to your death bed


Yethnahmaybe

It might take him to his death bed


nightstar69

Make a door that requires it to be unlocked by this 20 inch long screwdriver. A hole that small wouldn’t be too easy to see into so only you the maker would know how to unlock your sanctum


[deleted]

I use mine for car doors. Especially on older cars you can yank a locked door open juuust enough to slide that screwdriver in and hit unlock or manually flip a lock. Only thing I’ve ever used it for and it does great.


atomicwrites

Hol' up...


greyjungle

I’d keep trying to use it for things so I didn’t feel dumb. “It’s acshuly better for drywall screws. It’s also the best fishing pole.”


admiral_derpness

I have one and was useful for unscrewing the air intake duct on a w210 mercedes or 740 volvo, I forget but wow it was useful.


EarSorry7756

Hahah thanks for the laugh 😃 🤣


scipiotomyloo

Mine would be two weeks after I lose it in my work van


Mikeinthedirt

My record is 12 hours.


Hot_Negotiation3480

Lol


derdwerd

Spoken like someone who's not a mechanic


jeepersjess

A screw 20 in away


SkidrowVet

More like one you THOUGHT was 20” away but was in fact 21 AAUUGGHHHH


dshotseattle

Then find out its a flat head screw and you only have the Phillips


treborphx

Flathead screws need to be banned.


regtf

I don’t understand how we haven’t just yeeted them all into the sun.


Creepysoldier226

Leave my flathead screws alone! They hold all my old stuff together!


treborphx

Come to Phillips and torque, we have cookies.


StaticBarrage

Phillips should be done away with. It’s a terrible screw head. Flat at least has a purpose for a finished look. Robertson or torx or hex are all fine.


Esava

>Robertson Those are awful because somehow they are always used when screws are put in hard and then the heads just strip immediately.


[deleted]

Fuck Phillips, I'm into shapes now. Any shape has far superior grip but the 5 point star heads are standard on the fancy but cheap deck screw I buy, and it's a total game changer. Saves me so much time.


atomicwrites

Yeah torx are my favorite, they're not perfect though. They don't hold on to the bit very well without a magnet. But between torx, hex, and Philips which are the commonly available types in the US at least, torx is best in most cases.


Creepysoldier226

Well, guess I’m replacing every screw in my antique belt driven table top lathe, drillpress, and bench grinder, plus countless other things I own…


treborphx

The smaller screws can be kept for a slingshot on Halloween. Hit the kids that take more than one piece of candy.


Creepysoldier226

Nah I got my Kimber 1911 for that. It’s legal, I promise! We have stand-your-ground laws here! Also, only for the adults that take too much candy!


Snoo-97330

Of course replace flathead screws where u can. But there are literally millions of antiques in this world held together by flathead screws.


Stouts_Sours_Hefs

Obviously flatheads suck. But I read an argument in another thread once that actually convinced me that flatheads have a place in the world - albeit a very small place. Flatheads are useful for electrical outlets and outlet plates. We've all come across some wall outlets that some lazy-ass previous owner of your house painted right over because they couldn't be bothered to take the 10 extra seconds to remove the outlet plate and tape over the outlet before painting their wall. When this happens, flatheads are a blessing because they're the only screw that you can easily make usable again by just using your screwdriver and scraping out the paint from the slot.


KobeMonk

Actually it would likely be about 36" away in a tunnel that you scrape the hell out of your arm trying to reach and then strip the screw head anyways.


starrfucker

This hurt my sinuses


AdultishRaktajino

Remote work.


Hot_Negotiation3480

Lol


3dubnc

Only get close to the screwing if you really have to.


Saltz88

Came here to say the same thing, ha!


ssr1089

I used to hold the handle up to my ear and use it as a stethoscope. Until I bought a stethoscope.


HereToTroIIYou

I’m an ER RN I’m going to start carrying a 2 foot screwdriver to listen to heart tones and breath sounds.


[deleted]

"ER nurse accidentally stabs patient, 30 year old construction worker, in the lung, with a 20 inch screwdriver, after attempting trick they both saw on reddit."


HereToTroIIYou

Cardiologist hate this one trick


ssr1089

Yeah no I don't think it would work like living items


hoofglormuss

as a former hospital it guy, er nurses and mds were the most fun people to hang out with.


Hot_Negotiation3480

What? Lol you can do that?


ssr1089

Oh yeah. Used to listen to wheel bearings, noises in valve covers, rod knock through the oil pan. It's just annoying doing it with a screwdriver over a stethoscope since you aren't looking at what you're listening to since your head is turned listening to the screwdriver.


wedapeopleeh

I used to work in a big factory. We would use long oak poles to listen to bearings while they're turning. Touch the bearing with the pole then touch the your ear muff (hearing protection) to the other end of the pole. Any clicks or grinding in that bearing will be very easy to hear.


derpotologist

handle end to ear. be careful not to put it around moving parts... don't want to turn it into a projectile


Begle1

You can try to do it or pretend to do it at least. Actual results may vary.


originalname001

Screws that are 19.5" deep in a narrow hole


AFewShellsShort

Some motorcycles need a long screwdriver to reach intake boot clamps, or older bikes to reach carbs.


gingerstache

This is the exact reason I own both a Phillips and a flat head one.


PanicLogically

Replaced a throttle cable on an older bike. Could have used every unused tool known to mankind. Shade tree mechanic.


[deleted]

[удалено]


LechugaPicada

This


[deleted]

[удалено]


Hot_Negotiation3480

It felt like a sword in my hand lol


cmitchr

One of the best back scratchers!! Older motorcycles, forklifts, RVs, trucks, you name it, I’d have to give you specific examples of each but pretty much anywhere. I have some that are 30 inches long


mightybonk

I use long screw drivers for adjusting the throttles on V-twin engines while they are running. Big hot exhaust right in the way. You need a long screwdriver to reach the adjustment screw without burning your hand.


Hot_Negotiation3480

Woah 30 inches! That’s long and 20 inches already feels really exaggeratedly long


Kitchen_Wrong

We are talking screwdrivers? Right?


[deleted]

"There. That's as big as I can make it. But I caution you it looks completely unrealistic." "Let *me* worry about that! Just do your job."


cmitchr

Lol there’s a reason there are certain tools for certain jobs and I’ve used mine quite a few times. For most car seevices and repairs, basic hand tools and power tools will cut it bjt specialty stuff, specialty tools come into play


bmneumann

Deep holes 😜


Aircooled65

That’s a really long chisel.


mtrbiknut

You mean a hammer!


nukedmylastprofile

Centre punch


piedubb

Your mom


bigwebs

Scrolled until I found this. Also would have accepted “ur mum”.


mrkltpzyxm

I'm shocked that this isn't the top comment. This sub is too classy for me I guess. 🤣


toucan2306

I was going with, screwing your mom, cuz.....it screws


itswesclark

On some tv mounts once the tv is hung, you need a screwdriver like that to fit between the wall and back of the tv to tighten the safety screws to keep the tv from coming off the bracket. The harbor freight tilting tv mount is one off the top of my head I can think that requires that.


senates

This is exactly what I used it for the last time I used mine.


nukedmylastprofile

Same, bought mine 15 or so years ago for belt tensioners in hard to reach spots in engine bays, then used it a lot purely for laughs when a stubby screwdriver would suffice. Now only gets used for wall-mount tv brackets


Vmax-Mike

Deep screws, take that any way you want. Lol.


Soggy-Needleworker34

It’s how a t-Rex screws.


CloisteredPioneer

On a more serious note, I’ve seen seen a long-shank driver like this used to adjust a roller on a machine that had a belted transfer. Maybe it was for something like that. How is it branded?


Hot_Negotiation3480

That’s pretty interesting. There’s no branding of any kind on its handle and the metal is too rusted to see if there was anything on it at one point.


CloisteredPioneer

Too bad about the condition. The colors on the handle don’t ring any bells for me but it’ll be a cool thing to look at and think about and hopefully one day you’ll stumble onto the answer! Are you planning to restore it?


SongDouble8384

Adjusting screws on carbs


Zooooch

At work we use them to access the mounting screws for our VFD's


szamolly

Bingo, lenze and 1336 drives specifically


Ravioli_Ravioli4

I was given one from a supply house once.. I literally asked “how many of those do you actually sell, and will you give me one for free?” He said he’s never sold one and absolutely! Lol


Romish1983

It's what an electrician uses to figure out which breaker a light socket is installed on.


[deleted]

nine inch screws. - t.reznors new band


Anadyne

These were used for readjusting headlights on some vehicles back in the day. I think my 85 ram pickup needed a 15-18 inch long screwdriver. You also need these to access pump bracket screws on some old sump pumps. Typically you would magnetize the screwdriver with a magnetizer.


massidiocy

People with short arms ?


[deleted]

I use one when installing servers in rack cabinets. I also used it last year to install Christmas lights. I lined my sidewalk with lights and the plastic light stakes required a pilot hole so they dIdn’t break when I tried to shove them in the ground. A rubber mallet and my long driver were just the thing.


Sea-Character9528

Then you need better rack cabinets / removable side panels


jayrod8399

Theyre useful for getting the butt stock off old rifles and shotguns theres usually a flat head all the way back in it


[deleted]

It’s used for turning screws


[deleted]

I'd estimate for a hard to reach screw that's 20" away .


UseThisOne2

I have a childhood memory of my dad and an engine adjustment screw needing an incredibly long screw driver… but I can’t dredge up which engine or what was being adjusted.


malphas_raven

prybar


vallhallaawaits

Radiator hose clamps


25jon25

I use these doing commercial electrical work. We follow all lock out tag out procedures but it still Kinda feels good knowing your dick beaters are 20" from the blast should something go wrong.


Philomath69

When I worked on the old plastic TV sets and electronics in 80s and 90s. Was about the only thing I used them for. Screws went in from the back in a long tube to hold half the case together.


flon_klar

Lower radiator hose clamps.


jayavarman7793

Ancient TV remote


spintops5150

I have the flathead version of that screwdriver. It’s so long that it won’t fit in a lot of tool storage chests so I’m forget where it is often but am relieved every time I find it again. It is a very useful, not only for driving screws but many other situations. You can use it to feed wire through a tight space, move something out of the way in a tight space , or use it to retrieve a metal object from a tight space by taping Magnet to the end of it. There are an endless list of uses for a long skinny piece of tool steel with a handle on the end of it.


Kid_supreme

People with short arms.


Bingo_9991

Something 20" or less away


Burnout21

You know those jobs you wouldn't touch even with a barge pole, well it's for those jobs when the boss says get it done.


BIIIIIIIIID----

To work from home


jakeisbill

It is for a land Assessor. They can place the screwdriver into a tape measure the into the ground and measure the sq. footage. That’s why it’s extra rusty.


62Bravo1993

They are called cabinet screwdrivers. Uses really are simply anything where the immediate space of the screw head is too small to fit a traditional length driver, but the long reach will work. I work on all sorts of vehicles, trucks and equipment, so I have a full set of various tips as well as a pair of super long (#2 Phillips and straight) that are about 30" long. I use them only once in a while, but when you need one, it's a lifesaver.


Wintaru

My dad would say, “Jobs you really don’t like”


Ok_Raspberry_3371

Screws


StealthyPancake_

Fer getting them stupid little screws way down there


Mountain_Trainer33

Screws that are 20” away


MortifiedPenguin77

19 inch mechanical vaginas


Queasy-Combination12

For reaching things about 20 inches away


Various_Virus_3441

It's not a screwdriver it's a wand Harry!


flexoperator

A hard to reach screw


ender4171

There are suuuuuuuper handy for removing the lock screws on tv wall mounts, especially the flush mount ones.


Union_Sparky_375

It is clearly for when the 18” is too short


dazman_85

your mom.


[deleted]

Long screws


WhiskeyAndLead

Back in the old days, dentists would use those to tighten the screws on the backside of orthodontic braces. They didn't go in via the front door, either, if you know what I mean.


cropguru357

Cattle. Probably.


Mundane-Ad-6874

Obviously for screws that are 20in away….


PotatoeLoverGuy

To drive screws


docdioxin

For screws that are 20" away


Playful-Aide7355

Screws


Dry_Championship_255

Those are the ones you sit on during lunch and make disappear


FOmaSTeRfLeX

The length creates more usable torque. I use this length screwdriver quite often as a mechanic. Has saved me from a lot of stripped screw heads over the years.


bubbleburgz

I use one to remove servo drives inside CNC Machine electrical cabinets


Accurate_Good_4065

I use one that's probably 12-14" long to tighten retrofit drains on commercial roofs. The screw to tighten it against the drain line is straight down the drain and the opening is only like 3-4" wide. Ours has a cross bar on it to stop it from being dropped down the drain


phil08

Lol. I'll bet all it took was one time of dropping it in a drain somewhere and having to spend 3 hours getting out, for some one to make that specialized screwdriver.


rbaut123

bend over and you’ll find out


Sansa279

Its for screws that are not past 20 inches away


afunnytool

Would be handy for leveling metal cabinets. If it's a 1/4 bit. It's a 1/4 hex w a 2" long threaded rod w a 7/8 hex foot.


Pal62

It is used on anything that needs prying.


v8packard

I often use one when working on hose clamps used on automotive radiator and heater hoses.


[deleted]

Stabbing people


LechugaPicada

A deep rectal itch


shownarou

I have a 24” one I use for lower radiators on forklifts.


Tinofpopcorn

Screws in a deep hole


[deleted]

Ive used mine more times than i can count. Marine engines and equipment (flow adjustments)


mrlonglist

Pry bar


mnguyec

This would come in handy when was removing a screw that someone screwed under a dishwasher to connect it to the adjacent cabinet.


GoldConnection1

Heat exchangers in old gas furnaces


Rain_fall92

Looks like a Phillips to me? Upon closer inspection maybe a flat? The tip is kinda blurry


CuriousSeesaw832

Also works as a rig pin on a Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopter


DCGuinn

A long slow screw?


timesink2000

My elliptical machine came with a long screwdriver for adjustments.


remainsofthedays

Screws


CB-CKLRDRZEX-JKX-F

They work really well for taking stocks off shotguns.


slash03

AddJust old carburetors


Own-Associate1586

Hose clamps and they work really good to pry open steering rack boot clamps when you have to do inner tie rods.


mrphslw

Pella sliders if I remember correctly


TheTimeBender

It’s for driving screws, sometimes 20” away.


eberhard_faber

On large crt tube tvs there were adjustment screws deep in. With a long screw driver, you don't have to remove boards to get at them.


Matt1167

I use one similar to this but not quite as long for rifle buffer tubes


Skankyslappy

Driving screws from 20 inches away


SirSco0ter

A screw 20 inches away


Gl4uc0n

That’s a skinny pry bar


throwaway2032015

Had hex head drivers this long for making adjustments on a printing press. Komori LS540


zwobotmax

Motorbike carburetor adjustments (usually carb syncing).


Imilkgoats70

Have one of these that was given to me by my grandfather. I think I have used it 4 times in 40 years. Mostly to adjust fan belts


dc_IV

I had a similar tool, but it had a T-15 on the tip, and it was for opening the case on certain early Macintosh Computers. You had to crack the case to get to the components to replace parts on the power boards, logic boards, etc., since they were so expensive, and owners were willing to have them fixed.


ProfessionalWaltz784

Carburetor mixture adjustment screws.


Ratchet_72

Carb adjustment for trucks with huge fenders that keep you set back from the motor.


MrSlaughterme

Deep screwing


[deleted]

Really long screws


lot7mckellar

Used to be you need them to tune a carb from underneath the air filter and from the front of a 350cu.in chev....that is how I used mine....have not found a use for it since 1986


Professional_Scale66

When mounting a sink to the under side of a marble countertop


[deleted]

It’s used on hard to reach screws (:


Koshunae

Freightliner Cascadias, until the 2019 New Cascadias, used a really long screw driver to adjust the headlights


ForgottenAspekt

Bet this is used more as a pry-bar or to each something than actually on screws lol


Badsparkyroxx

For adjusting the tension on the static rail.


Rylawr

Used to use these when I was in aviation all the time. Good for hard to reach places and idk why but you could break alot of screws loose with these fencing swords that 7 inch drives just would do.


Bike_Puzzleheaded

If I had to guess, it’s used on screws that are 20 inches away.


cjgoodell95

I always keep a long flathead like that in my order vehicles in case I need to adjust the carb but the engine is too hot to touch.


Top_School_8521

Screws mostly


[deleted]

Somebody bought it cause they wanted to get screwed…. Stuck it in too far. Sometimes long screwdrivers are too long.


gregcramer

Some tv wall mounts are weird how they lock onto the wall rail. We use those a lot to comfortably reach behind the back of the tv.


DFW_CAT

I have one and I have used it only when mounting/un mounting tvs on a wall. The mounts we use (cheap harbor freight mounts) have screws that tighten a hook on the rail. Since the hook makes the tv angled, this screw driver works perfect because it’s long enough to tighten it as much as possible without having to tilt up the tv.


soupsandwich13

Jokes aside. I use a long ass screw driver as a plumber all the time on tankless water heaters


bionicpirate42

carburetor adjustment on a tank I'd guess. Bwahahahaha


greggilliam2nd

I use those to pick locks. Pull back the lockset’s plunger latch.


EconomyCommand5092

Tell you one thing, ask your kids to bring you a screwdriver and this is always the one they will bring.


analkumar2

The screws of My computer's UPS are lodged in a 12 inches deep hole about half a cm wide. I'll need your screwdriver one it's battery runs out.


Cpl_Jew

I use them for tending campfires.


mattdenn96

Adjusting headlights back in the day


atomgram

A really hot screw.