Tool Review: Irwin Impact Performance Series Bolt-Grip Extractors and Screw-Grip Impact Performance Series Extractors 3-pc Set
Irwin Impact Performance Series Bolt-Grip Extractors, No. 1859143, feature reverse spiral flutes engineered to provide maximum gripping power to easily remove the most stubborn of broken, damaged or rusted nuts, bolts and screws. While they're built for maximum durability and long life with impact tools, they also work perfectly with rotary drills and drivers. They are manufactured with high carbon steel, ensuring longer life and greater durability, and the universal lobular design fits all types of fasteners. The Irwin Screw-Grip Impact Performance Series Extractors 3-pc Set, No. 1876224, offer DoubleLok technology, which ensures that both ends lock into impact drivers and quick-change chucks. A single bit drills and extracts to easily remove stripped or damaged screws and small bolts in three steps: drill, flip bit and extract. The tip of the drill end is designed to start fast, with minimal walking, and the tip of the extractor end is serrated for increased torque to easily remove even the toughest bolts and screws.
The review
“A technician is never happy about a broken bolt or fastener of any kind,” says Phil Fournier, owner of Phil’s Auto Repair in Hemet, Calif. “Whenever an extractor needs to be brought out, it’s a bad day.”
However, after testing the Irwin Impact Performance Series Bolt-Grip Extractors, No. 1859143, and the Screw-Grip Impact Performance Series Extractors 3pc Set, No. 1876224, Fournier says he discovered they help reduce the frustration brought on by trying to remove broken bolts, fasteners or certain other troubling items during vehicle repairs.
“The Irwin extractor set is very efficient at removing broken bolt,” adds Fournier.
One job being conducted at Phil’s Auto Repair shop saw the head of a glow plug get snapped off during the repair process, and Fournier realized an Irwin extractor was just the tool he needed to address the issue.
“It dug right into the plug and allowed me to continue turning and pulling on the plug,” he says. “It wasn’t easy, but I believe it saved me from hours of grief.”
One feature of the Irwin extractors Fournier greatly appreciates is that they are manufactured with high carbon steel, which prevents them, he says, from being either too soft or brittle.
“These are made with the correct balance between hard and flexible,” says Fournier, noting that he believes the Irwin extractors are so easy to employ that any technician who has ever extracted a broken bolt can use them.
Fournier’s shop is located in southern California and far away from the Rust Belt, so he doesn’t need extractors for many jobs. That being said, such a tool came in quite handy in the case of the broken glow plug. And while he was quite impressed with Irwin’s extractor offerings, Fournier says he would like to see “a larger set with more sizes on the bigger end for the female tool.”
However, for a number of reasons, Fournier felt both the Irwin Impact Performance Series Bolt-Grip Extractors and the Screw-Grip Impact Performance Series Extractors 3pc Set were excellent tools.
“They are easy to use, effective and, most of all, strong enough to do the job without breaking,” he says.
