Many scaffolders across the country are ditching the traditional scaffold spanner in favour for a never tiring Impact Wrench (battery depending) for the erection and dismantle of scaffolding.
Could this be the future for our industry? Will we all end up having one of these hanging from our belts? But seriously.. should we be using Impact Wrenches ?
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has been busy behind the scenes performing vigorous tests tightening couplers with two popular types of impact wrenches and a wide range of drop forged couplers. The couplers were from different suppliers in various conditions, new, used, lubricated and unlubricated. Over 60 tests were completed.
No Concerns
Industry experts at the NASC analyzed the data and found no concerns or adverse effects to the couplers from the tests carried out with both impact wrenches and the traditional scaffold spanner. Subsequently the NASC has deemed the use of impact wrenches for scaffolding purposes acceptable.
However the confederation has released a statement highlighting several important recommendations to be considered by the employer before the use of impact wrenches by operatives:
- The recommended force required to tighten a fitting is 50 N/mtr as stated in EN 74. Most wrenches have stated torque settings (N/mtr) in excess of this recommended figure. However during testing it was noted that settings published by the manufacturer can differ greatly from what is actually achieved. It is therefore recommended that any employer considering authorising the use of impact wrenches carries out testing to establish that the impact wrench which they intend to authorise for use by their employees is capable of applying the correct torque to scaffold fittings on a consistent and recurring basis. Further to completion of an adequate risk assessment by the employer the impact wrench may then be deemed fit for purpose for erection/dismantling and alterations to scaffolding by their employees.
- It is recommended that prior to use of an impact wrench on site the employee should first undergo a suitable period of training, familiarisation and monitoring, to ensure that the impact wrench is being used in the correct manner at all times.
- The NASC recognises that impact wrenches can offer certain benefits. However members and users of such equipment should be aware that there is potential for concern regarding use and operation. Employers should adequately assess the risk for their own particular situation and ensure that they put in place protocols to cover safe use. It is recommended that any assessment should also address noise and hand/arm vibration.
- In addition to the initial training and familiarisation phases, it is recommended that employers should carry out regular toolbox talks refreshing operatives with company policy and rules for the safe use of impact wrenches.
- In the event that a nut is stripped off the ‘T’ bolt it is recommended that the fitting should be returned to the employer’s yard where a new replacement ensemble (‘T’ bolt, nut & washer) can be fitted by the company’s maintenance team.
- Impact wrenches are normally supplied with rechargeable lithium batteries that provide a more stable power pack. However the confederation recommends that all users follow manufacturer’s instructions and that battery life should be monitored.
- This statement only applies to drop forged scaffold fittings. The NASC does not recommend the use of impact wrenches with ‘pressed’ type scaffold fittings.
The NASC has also developed a basic Form which users of impact wrenches may find useful.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
They should be banned. Who will be checking they’re set at the correct torque if they’ve been calibrated? Then there’s the unseen damage to nuts bolts and gates of the fittings.
There only any good to greedy companies wanting to bust the lads backs on the price. There’s only 1 winner and that’s the company and that’s why they’ll not be checked to the regulations proposed.
Makitas r pony
Use a spanner lazy fuckes
Old school better
Wank
Dan said can’t use em on that firm. Gutted xxx
Makita probs cause people always complain
Hilti all day long U0001f44cU0001f3fb
Same here
Chris Corcoran
Ashley Hudson
And have vibration white finger/fingers
Yeh if u wanna b deaf in 10 years
Best thing I’ve ever bought
Rob Holding
Impact wrenches may have their uses and maybe favoured by many scaffold operatives. Before scaffolding organisations freely allow them to be generally used there are many considerations to be taken into account. Why? Because if anything goes wrong the company the operator is working for is ultimately liable and also the said company would not want anyone to suffer ill heath or injury by doing so.
The considerations to formulate a Policy on their safe use would be based around:
1. Training
2. Testing
3. Noise
4. Hand/Arm vibration
5. Tool Lanyards
6. PPE
7. Familiarisation
8. Torque
9. Maintenance
10. Safe Storage
There use would be required to be included in a safe plan of work….RAMS.
Proerly risk assessed with control measures in place.
Noise is the only prohibitive item I have listed above, it would be interesting to learn of the Peak Noise levels emitted from the different wrenches used in scaffolding and in different situations, ie. Unboarded scaffold, Fully boarded, on beamwork, inside work etc.
Industrial deafness is irreversible !! Food for thought 🙂
Had to be tight.lol
Michael Fowler
Dont know how much u earn but when i was scaffing on price on £1 per ft erect we was bring home £1200 a piece doing various work house bashing. You must be raking it in with your gun
Yes they do rob I’ve got one if it opens seized fittings can’t be bad. Plus when I check em after I can’t turn it at all n if I can I change the battery
Everyone bangs on like the nasc are the law… Its guidelines only.
Booked in September bud. No didn’t go they wudnt let me lol
You the simple category or the never used category?
1- No there shot when battery runs out
2- there too noisy
3- u look like a prick with it in ya belt
wally theyre the way forward spent long enough in the game to know theyre a god scend let the macho nob heads say spanner all the way
Stuart BaxterU0001f600U0001f600U0001f600U0001f600
Impacts are for unskilled ringers unless you use them for double channels. ..
Paid by the hour
Randy Pacholuk this is a doug
been using them for 15 years here in denmark for erection….. dont leave home with out (y)
yeh in the real world !!
Only old school scaffs! or stoners who would rather buy puff then tools would stick to the spanner. Saves time and makes life easy… You wouldn’t build stuff with just a screw driver would you??? Power tools always!! Get with the times try before you knock it
Nath Fullick
Wayne Crabb
Trent Brown U0001f602U0001f602
Don’t run until u can walk, learn the way of the spanner ,
That’s what lanyard for mate lol
NASC NEWS statement here: http://www.nasc.org.uk/nasc_news/impact_wrenches_statement
Hansen Nicholas
Big fan of the tool itself, especially on a building site, but as my experience on the tube and clip I would also have to agree with your call. Why change something now when it’s worked so well for generations.
Just what we need more limp wristed cunts in the industry that don’t know how to use a key
Extra weight in the belt, some hard to get fittings and I’m a traditionalist it’s a no from me. Your thoughts from your years of experience in the industry?
There only good for doing up dynabolts on wall ties,
Keep the spanner and the feel of the game….if it aint broke dont fix it.
So true
Kevin Deighan
30 years on the spanner !!! Drills are for them that cant scaffold U0001f603 like Kezer
I now use 1 after 11 years scaffolding on the spanner and got to say with things like dog bones and traning out it is quicker
Nick Bailey
I’m more of a swing over man myself U0001f600
Karl Dunne what u think?
True
Spanner all day long end of
I’m self employed and I don’t need a drill you muppet
Been on spanner ten years plus make a lot more on gun as I say whoever says a spanner is faster is either a bit simple or never used an impact wrench.
No brainier.
Chur chur bro well said
Always U0001f44dU0001f3fb use the Hilti every day U0001f44dU0001f3fbU0001f44dU0001f3fbU0001f44dU0001f3fbU0001f44dU0001f3fb
Certain jobs call for it. Should never be a permanent feature though
Fuk the drill, hammer all the way for the Layher…. Even so I do own a Hilti.
Retrain as a plumber like i did. so much more money for doing far less work
If you cant earn your money with a spanner then u obviously dont know how to use 1
Ive seen countless lads get impact drivers and guess what? They all go back to the spanner.
Gobshite if you do
Your hearing and your wrist will suffer in later years after using these things that are designed for girly new age scaffolders.
Real scaffolders will use a spanner.
Charger and things a lot more kit.
Should not be used they don’t tighten the fitting no where near enough absolute shite they are
Bell ends use drills
I fort the impacts do lol but then sayin that u can put more strength into it
I would all day long, it’s the 21st century, get with it or just keep carrying your club and keep saying “Scaff” on the streets and sites
youd love it
We can all guess what will happen next, as NASC love to make money off the backs of scaffolders, it will be a case of them deciding that only NASC approved testing will be acceptable and that this must be done ether every 6 months or yearly
Not sure on that Simon ‘St’ George I’ll ask em next time I visit their headstone
So the “old boys” you mention developed bad hips through carrying a spanner belt and bubble? Nothing to do with the amount of tube, boards and fittings they had on their shoulders at the same time then?
https://scaffmag.com/2015/07/should-you-use-an-impact-wrench-for-scaffolding/
Franie King
Justin Peachey
Have been a scaffolder and self employed for over thirty years now and i think impact wrenches are the way forward eh lads time is money
If u can’t earn £400 extra with the hilti over a few months u in the wrong game
Av just gone fifty wish I’d av as one of these thirty yrs ago could av made great money
You’re choice boys move with the times or get left behind
Every trade on site now use power tools of some sort wise up
JCB or shovel?
Me and mo! Me and mo! Lll
Tman u never use urs u just carry gear that’s all ur good for lol x
Thats the other 1 iv got sav,, mite wanna buy a bigger battery tho if ur guna buy it bruv
Lick my sack
Been in the game 34 years. I’ve seen the same arguments when the doubles came out instead of bands. Same as steel toe boots, hard hats, harnesses all add to the weight we carry daily. On my first belt was a podger flat spanner 7/16, 1/2 inch, bubble and you think a gun is heaven.
thank u if u can use it correctly its good
Its orite mate plenty of graft if u can live with monthly pay! Im not on away work tho altho a do fancy portugal in september for the golf U0001f609
Mush Blanks
I’ve Tagged him Dougie Fissenden
still a labourer until you get the blue card son
Scaffolding isn’t rocket science Luv. Worked on plenty of Cat 4, petro chem, power station shutdowns blah blah…..The impact wrench, in the hands of a capable scaffolder is a more efficient way to do the job. I now use the box spanner in the same way as a flat – when my drill can’t fit.
Rus Scaffoni Arrowsmith
Brian James
Eron Wheeler Stuart Wheeler tag Bj
Andrew Camm Ben Varley Bradd Barclay Luke Harrison Rich Smith Lee Booth Camm Bilzerian Stuart Lindsay Jack McCaul DamenSellors
Trainee scaff actually and we all have to start somewhere. I was just stating no one cares U0001f602 chalky boy
gon Daniel Rawlinson i know u would love to comment
hahaha its a debate for scaffs not labourers
No one cares
LeeRowswell I’m no fan of them tbh we won’t allow them on our firm…
Craig Nettleingham
Let’s see what excuse they use now then mate?
Adam Ward Craig Nettleingham things are looking up gents?
Wots it like at grim ? They do a lot of away work dont they ?
Gary Knox
and now they been okayed by nasc they cant say no on sites
Spanner all the way
they t tested to a certain torque hence the noise they make they r made for scaffs educate urself mate
I’d love to be 15 lifts up then have to go all the way back down cos my battery is flat
I’ve got one n I don’t take the bolts off I work on big sites and streets on weekends n I think there great when ur stripping n running long stretches in buf it I’m doing anything awkward I won’t use it. I think a lot of people r scared of change but times r changing new equipment like scaff steps n all that n we have to adapt n I say if there trying to make our job harder then why can’t we make it easier? Old school workers who say I was taught this n that’s all I will do even if there’s a better method r just gonna make life hard for them selves
john hulme i said hundreds, and I’m not even a scaffolder i used to be. I’m an electrical engineer on the railway so i can assure you i earn enough 🙂
U don’t Evan feel vibration but crack on with ur spanner
Work smarter not harder!!
I was gonna ry but I’ll plod on with spanner.
JohnHutchings12 ScaffoldingNews see it on face book. I know my thoughts on this
That’s what I said to begin with nikki they just help a lot on big jobs thought you would of got one by now Mr grimshaw
Move aside old boy
ScaffoldingNews LeeRowswell the end is neigh
Justyn Barry Chris J Curtis
I’ve seen scaffolders use these and thought they were being lazy
Drill been in the game 22 years and wish this had been introduced earlier
im on a price and i use the hilti and im making more money than i was with my spanner and now im used to it i never loose any nuts off the fittings
no!!!
100 times a day? bet you don’t earn much
RIM mate
Sam Church
dnt worry bout 1 thing its ur whole body
I’d rather bad hips to be honest lads..I need my wrists for when the misses don’t put out on a daily basis lololololol ??????????????….????????????
Each to thier own with the drills I like mine.but I still use the spanner a fair bit.depends what jobs ur on I suppose
If you buy the correct socket for it which is short same size has the box of a spanner n put a lanyard on what’s wrong with it boys if they have said its ok to use now?? I use a drill but not all day I still go back to do the spanner during the day. I’ve just ordered a new Milwaukee
Na keep it no point selling ….. And grafts sound , just keep’s gettin busier …. Where r u now
Educate yourself on torque loading you idiot.
People always offerin to buy mine but a dnt wanna sell it al probly start usin it agen soon,, hows graft? U busy?
On proper jobs there not allowed mate, instead of house bashing off the back of a wagon come on a proper union job and see how u get on, u would be laughed off site
Better than using anyone from hartjay scaffolding,,, they are all thieving alcoholics on that firm!!!!!
i dnt use them lol jus gotta b thick to take the nut clean off obvisily use all do lol
Haha i know wot ur sayin mate there sound for stripping and wen u dont wanna lift all weight up whilst turning but the spanner is still more conveinient
There ok for long runs mate and striking but they dont do it up tight enough
haha no mate carry cunts like u
A bet all u do is carry scaffold ! Bellend
Stick dem drill right up ya jacksey .. cost to much anyway ..
Dead on Luke Earnshaw look what me and me mate found after Simone striking one of our jobs
Simon ‘St’ George
Lmfao
Dean McCarthy
Oscar Naranjo
Im on the spanners agen dnt like the gun anymore tbh a let the other lads use it more than i do
Nigel Goring
Well it’s a good way to getting vibration white finger using an impact drill all day.
You two lazy cunts Azza Herbert Danny Greensmith
Agreed si !
Definitely if you are on price. But why pay £300 for something if you arnt .
Remember when they released levels with magnets in, and people whined that you weren’t a proper scaffolder if you used one? Funny how everyone uses a bubble with a magnet or 2 in now….. same will apply here I think!
Used to have a porger bubble and tape and a piece of string a round waist not like the tossers that’s
When scaffolds was scaffolds
Impacts all the way U0001f44cU0001f44c
Im away till thursday al ring ya wen am bk if ya want save ur phonebill
I’ll ring u bud
The one thing on this thread that doesn’t seemed to be talked about, as the drill is so much faster,as i’v seen,how longer is it going to be before the bosses want more out of all of us, they will be telling the old boys get a drill,then they will be changing the prices,always Scaffs arguing about who’s quickest,strongest,who earns what money, this is why the bosses take the piss,none of us stick together….drill or spanner,jobs still gets up,the only people who win are the guvnors!!
Old rusted fittings would ring sir
About time
Hahaha i paid £450 for it before crimbo
Leon Jones sounds like a proper bellend
Mates rates
Amen brother
U0001f602
Dunno mate £50
Milwaukee mate cums wi 2 batterys n charger still got like 3 years warranty, its more or less been rebuilt and finally make me an offer U0001f61c
There good for stripping. I wouldn’t personally use 1 to erect
You just couldnt handle er sir 😉
It’s simple your learn with a spanner, then you move on to a gun once you know the game!
Im local on price u a part two yet ? U go on cemex this year ? X
What make is it bud and is it in decent condition and finally how much mate
Tata steel mate with brand energy. Don’t get me wrong they are quick but for alot of jobs a spanner is as quick
No mate iv got 2 u can buy the other 1 if u want sav
Do you want to sell it mate
Never used one ryan, don’t think I could , been turning the spanner too long.
I use an impact and its still a ball ache u cant handle the tubes whilst holding the drill like u can the spanner , extra weight u carry about , and climbing through a trap door is a nightmare . But drill makes the job so much easier
Paul Harris Shaw
spanner all the way , more control , less weight, less chance of killing some poor sod if or when you drop it !!
I work with proper scaffolders, lets face it the only lads who use these drills work for two bit firms getting ripped off on price, more fool them, trying coming on a petrochemical plant, putting droppers up every day in tight spots, see how well your toys work then
Dan Dan Powell moe
Rich Nealgrove
u work with nummies then
Tried one on cuplok couldn’t get on with it lol
Sam Gilson Tom TheBomb Humpheryes
Like it or not these are the future, if you got one of these on your belt no-one with a spanner is keeping up with you
Adam McNeish Rob Swede Smith
Adam Ward
Gun all the way Dan shep can suck me lol
I’d rather have bad wrists(which I had before impact drivers came around) than bad hips
To loud and to heavy Sunday mornings with hilti EVERYBODY UP!!!!!!
Until u go to a job where some bellend who doesnt know what there doing use an impact driver and half the doubles on site havent got a nut on because they have wound them down to far with their bob the builder drill, proper scaffs do it the proper way U0001f44d
Nothing compared to years of the strain of turning a spanner hundreds of times per day!!
I have the makita brushless impact wrench its a good piece of kit but i have gon back to the spanners now! Cant do with the extra weight on my belt
Adam Sheppard
Nor me mate best thing ever , I got makita one brilliant
I’m a pipe fitter and we use these on our pipe work they are good but I can always get a little more with a spanner
Spanners all day long
Had someone try and convince me while doing a temporary roof. He looked really awkward, then he dropped it thus rendering it useless. So not for me.
We use them now pal a godsend what job are u on ?
Gav Harmer I have 2 now wont ever look back
u carry scaffold and u moan a drills to heavy lol dicks
I heard Scaffolders don’t use power tools, they shout at it to tighten it up “Tell u wot geez if u dont fackin get a grip i’ll chuck u back in the bucket u came from u cant!!!”
Too much torque they would ring threads after a wile
Great tool get with the times U0001f52b=U0001f4b7
The best drill about is the one im holding at the time
Drill all the way saves so much time and ur elbow and shoulder from being on the spanner
Callan Hocknull
Drill all the way….
I got a drill cos it is free lol Jj Mccormick
There fine if everyone has one. People nut the fitting too tight and when striking wind the nut to the end of the thread! I’ll stick with my spanner.
If it gets the boys on price-work more money then fair play to them.
Yes they are heavy, not as heavy as my wallet is after I’ve earned 4 times what you daft sods clutching on to your spanners get.
Gareth Smith here you go mate show this mick shep
Lewis Blackmore so u got a drill just for that pure lazy kid U0001f602
Imagine if you could get a spanner size electric spanner that would be awesome light efficient and fast needs to be invented
Even had days of cos the batteries where dead lol
I would never go back to a spanner nw they help a lot on site work
2015 get with the times we’ve advanced with tg20:13 & sg4:10 why not with are tools?
Jj Mccormick 8 doubles and 5 trannies aint alot of kit mate
Heard stories of old boys having hip problems for carrying nothing but a belt,spanner and bubble…….so how are these gonna be in 40 year carrying a spanner,bubble, tape and a big stupid battery operated impact wrench???
Halen Nganeko Matt Zep Watts Jesse
New addition to ya tool belt U0001f602
Gay. Spanner all the way.
There’s no way you can turn a spanner as quick as an impact gun so if on price or self employed they’re a must.
Once you use a wrench you get pissed off when you have to take your spanner out and do a fitting up that your wrench can’t get too!!! :p
Hilti is best by far repair service is second to none and unlike a lot of of wrenches went the battery charge gets low and can’t reach the torque setting it shuts off.
Lee Bone good news eh
Brilliant tools
Antony Galvin what you reckon?
Spanner, why would want to carry that big thing around all day?
I’m on hourly rate… spanner obviously
I use both boys it’s not the 90’s anymore
Mark White
Gay
No
Old school spanner !!
Louis Davey Aaron Davey
From experience I think that they are too heavy but if it could be lighter I would defiantly have one full time as jobs go up a lot quicker and feels like your not working nearly as hard great for handrails and long runs not so good fronts and backs
Ryan Davison
hilti all the way
Tim Pinnacle
Spanner all the way. Especially industrial scaffolding where there is other hazards plus very little space on some jobs. Plus why would you carry a heavy impact gun when you have a tool belt and harness?
Russell Wibrew check it out
Wouldn’t got to work if I didn’t have one
How can they just be deemed alright to use,one of the directors of nasc owns a big firm an loads of his men have used them for years,so a bit of double standard pmsl
Personal choice at the end of the day. But ill stick with my spanner its a tad bit lighter and less bulky
Up here it wouldn’t be worth it. We use wedge clamps. The only things we use our wrenches for are beam clamps and ladder brackets. Not really worth carrying the weight for that.
U0001f602U0001f602
Am just glad I work on sites where there not aloud . Note wers than over tittered fittings !
Geoff Hines
I’ve had hilti siw 144 for 4 years now been great tool U0001f44cU0001f3fb
Anyone who dismisses these obviously hasn’t used 1 and there shouldn’t be any concerns with regard to the fittings, you’d easily do a fitting up tighter by hand! The amount of work you can get done with these renders a spanner near useless!
Best thing going
Hilti are unreliable shite and cumbersome. Had 3 chargers in a year. And had to wait 3 weeks for a repair.. never again. You could buy 3 dewalt for the price and loss of price thru repair
No
Hilti bay far the best
Darren Walls
They are too cumbersome