Watch this Before Converting Engine to Drill Start

I used to use a cup shaped stiff wire brush bit on the drill and it would hold it tight enough to spin it but would easily let go when the machine took off and wouldn't hurt the crank bolt. Works great.

Use a ratchet attachment to the drill. Once she starts, the ratchet will spin not grab. No drill whacking. Second, use a torque adjustment on your drill set to less than the bolt shear strength. If it exceeds, it will skip. Start slow. Thanks🤗

Oooh! Good point. I hadn't thought of the risk of using an impact driver. Thanks for posting this.

Great advice. Especially about not using the impact driver. Thanks.

Ahhh yes, life in the Midwest. This man represents a healthy balance of preparedness and optimism for life there (as the sirens sound) with an abundance of bug repellent and a baby generator. Carry on, good sir!

Nice follow up! I fell down this rabbit hole

3:36 You can save your wrist or your drill by using a rachet adapter, but check the switch on the rachet each time you use it. Sometimes the switch changes on its own.

Might want to recommend using a deep well socket to avoid pulling off socket when trying to quickly release contact when engine starts. I can't imagine anything good happening with the cooling fins plus a socket tumbling around at high speeds looking for an exit.

TWO IMPORTANT considerations: (1) if using a CORDED drill -- if you lost power, that solution won't work (unless your system has battery backup...) (2) if your drill relies on batteries, and they're not sufficiently charged -- you've just lost your ability to get your generator going (having destroyed your existing pullstart mechanism.

I'd suggest replacing the Chinese junk bolt with a quality unit so shearing is much less of a risk. And then there are also ratcheting drive sockets meant to start engines that will slip after the motor starts. Do both and rest easy! Good video.

DO NOT !!! DO NOT do what the Lawn Engineer shows you with his modifications to start a generator or a lawnmower, using a battery operated drill. The Lawn Engineer, should have known better than sending you to the hospital with a broken wrist. There is a reason why the rope pulling assembly has an anti recoil mechanism, and anyone with half a brain should know that. If you are still interested to use a drill as a starter, ensure that you are using a socket, that has been modified to prevent kickback when the engine starts. For details, go back 100 years, and look at how the first cars that were build were started.

One way to make drill starts safer is to use a one-way ratchet assembly. When the engine overspeeds the drill, it would be the ratchet turning, not the drill. And that would be much easier to disengage.

Grass looking deep green and lush 👍👍

At 5:12 random whitetail checking out your video from outside!!

to prevent wrist damage, pull the drill away while it's running (keep your finger on the trigger until drill is out). Also : 6 pt socket to prevent rounding off bolt.

Ratchet adapter to drill helps for when it starts to not have drill go flying.

Wish I knew how to convert my Stihl MS 250 chainsaw to drill start. I have terrible luck starting it. Need new carb I think. Thanks for this, interesting!!! Have to check out the other video where you did this!!!

Thanks man this exactly what I needed to know I’m having to much compression in my predator engine 212 and i know it’s because I put in a billet rod billet flywheel and big cam in it on one of those attempts I snap my pull start trying to start it and my smart self thought I could do it with a torque gun and at first I didn’t understand why wasnt spinning and thanks to your very educational video I know where I was messing up once again thanks man !👍

I have a Husqvarna push mower that has drill start what I do is I take a 3/4 inch deep socket and I fill it up with hot glue until about a quarter inch from the end. This way the motor won't jurk your arm.

Good to know, for sure....