Switched from impact guns to hand tools for interior work and never looked back

I used to just zip everything with my Milwaukee 1/4 impact when doing dash removals or door panel jobs. Seemed faster. But after breaking two trim clips on a 2019 Civic last spring I finally got sick of it. Now I use a ratcheting screwdriver and a trim tool set for anything inside the cabin. It takes maybe 5 extra minutes but zero broken parts. The customer doesn't see those broken clips until something rattles later. Has anyone else made the swap or do you still rely on power tools for interior stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

knight.felix2d ago

Two broken trim clips on a Civic" is just the universe telling you to slow down. I did the same thing after I zipped a clip so hard it shot across the shop and hit the customer's kid in the forehead. Now I'm the guy with a manual ratcheting screwdriver and one of those cheap trim fork sets from Harbor Freight. It's like driving a manual car instead of an automatic - takes a tiny bit longer but you don't end up with a trans rebuild bill. Plus my impact driver stays in the drawer where it can't do any more damage.

the_mary2d ago

Now did you break the clips before or after the Harbor Freight setup?