Recommended tool for opening/closing "Waterway Crystal Water 325 Sq. Ft. Cartridge Filter"?

[cflannagan]

It's less than 1 year old and haven't been cleaned yet since installation. We have wrenches and tools but nothing big enough to be able to unscrew or screw closed the filter. It's the same one seen in this video. but a bit smaller (325 instead of 425)

We have drill (both electrical cord and battery powered types), can buy new drill tip to enclose over the nut as seen in video (around 2:06)

Curious what personal preference is from others. Thanks in advance.

Edit: Checked out some comments under the video - might be a MT-100?

 

[TinFoilHat]

Oh, if only our filters looked like that 20 years later. Don't use power tools on that clamp. Get yourself the proper sized socket and do it by hand. It's most important to do by hand when you are installing the clamp. You should have a hanging tag warning you about how to seal the filter. The way I do it is to tighten the nut until it starts to get tighter, then I use a rubber mallet from the opposite side to make sure the clamp is seated which will bring the clamp closer and open the bolt more. Do this two or three times as you tighten it. When the coils of the spring touch each other you are done. The mallet is because my filter clamp is 22 years old so it's crusty and dirty around its circumference.

 

[cflannagan]

naive question from me but why isn't power tools recommended? is overtightening a concern, or something else?

 

[TinFoilHat]

Yes, over-tightening is the concern. That could break something and it wouldn't be cheap.

 

[pjt]

nothing big enough to be able to unscrew or screw closed the filter.

Curious what personal preference is from others.

Use a 1/2" drive deep socket 7/8" for the nut. I use an impact wrench to remove the nut and a large ratchet to incrementally install while tapping around the perimeter with a rubber mallet. Apply a little white lithium grease over the hardware if needed.