Tools: Snakedriver and Dampp-Chaser installation

[Vanderhoofven]

Dear Friends,

I got a new tool recently that I have to tell you about.  It is called the
Snakedriver, and it is a 3.6 volt electric screwdriver with a flexible
shaft.  What makes this tool worth owning is that I recently saved at least
a half an hour of time on my last installation of a 6 part grand
Dampp-Chaser humidity control system.  On my next Dampp-Chaser
installation, I will save enough time to make the tool pay for itself.

The Snakedriver is made by DURAPRO, and I got it for about $40.00 (plus
tax) at Target (a local discount store similar to Walmart or K-mart or
Venture).

The Snakedriver includes:
A nice carrying case 
a racheting screwdriver handle
the 3.6 volt electric screwdriver
a battery charger
a flexible shaft (which fits either the electric screwdriver or the
racheting screwdriver handle)
12 assorted screwdriver tips (flat blade, Phillips & Torx)
6 drill bits  (1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 7/32")
6 hex head nut driver attachments (1/4", 9/32", 5/16", 11/32", 3/8", 7/16")

All of the drill bits, screwdriver tips and nut driver attachments have a
hex head that fits right into the electric screwdriver, the flexible shaft,
or the handheld racheting screwdriver.

Here are some ways that an electric screwdriver will help you.

1.  Removing or installing a whole set of action parts will take much less
time and prevent damage to your wrist!  (Thanks for the tip, Dr. Jim
Coleman, and Kent Swafford)

2.  Installing a Dampp-Chaser system will take less time.  Dampp-Chaser
will sell you a handy tool kit with a screw starter, a 1/4" nut driver, and
other tools to help in installing the system.  You should own one of these
tool kits from Dampp-Chaser because it is compact and useful.  However, I
believe that the Snakedriver can help you get the job done much faster.  

Dampp-Chaser uses 1/4" hex head screws to install all of the hardware and
to hold the brackets and secure the cords under the piano.  Normally you
would find the place to install the screw, use the screw starter to start
the screw threads, then get the nut driver to finish installing the screw.
Works fine.  But with the Snakedriver, you can insert a drill bit to drill
a pilot hole, quickly remove the drill bit and install the 1/4" nut driver,
and have the screw completely tight before you have time to put down the
screw starter and pick up the nut driver.  The big savings in time comes
when you need to install a cord clamp or a humidistat in a location where
there is very little space between the beams.  There are some places where
you just can't get the screw starter or nutdriver in the proper place to
turn the screw because of lack of space.  But with the Snakedriver, you can
use the flexible shaft to turn the screw even when there is very little
space for a conventional tool.

3.  If I am laying on my back under a grand piano and installing a lot of
screws using only hand tools, by the end of the install of the Dampp-Chaser
system, my body feels like I just had a beating.  Ok, Ok , I know... I need
to exercise, eat right, get lots of sleep, drink carrot juice, and take
herbs and vitamins, etc.  But all I can say is that using the Snakedriver
to install a bunch of screws into the hardwood beams underneath a grand
piano doesn't make my body ache.

4.  Most Importantly, you can buy another tool and actually justify the
expense to your wife or significant other!

Have fun with tools!

Sincerely,
David A. Vanderhoofven
Joplin, MO