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The Complete Guide to Screwdrivers

Our guide explains everything y'all need to know about screwdrivers and the dissimilar types available.

Reviewed by Luqman Said Abdullah, Technical Support Engineer (Jan 2021)

Screwdrivers are a blazon of hand tool used for the insertion and removal of screws. They are bachelor in a multitude of variations to correspond to the correct screw drive.

The bulldoze or head of a screw has a shaped cavity and protrusion that fits the screwdriver tip. A turning forcefulness known as torque tin can be applied in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

Screwdriver Uses and Applications

The screwdriver is one of the most essential hand tools in whatsoever tool kit. There are many situations and professions where a screwdriver is integral to carrying out a specific chore revolving effectually loosening or tightening fasteners.

Some of the about common uses of screwdrivers include:

• Electronics and electrical equipment

• Opening mobile phones

• Opening computers

• Mechanical and industrial production

• Woodworking and carpentry

• Metalwork and fastening wood to metal

• Flammable environments

It should also be noted that some specific types of screwdriver are best suited to certain applications. For case, the best electrician'south screwdrivers volition be insulated to protect the user. Conversely, Phillips screwdriver uses are more than varied as these tools are suitable for a range of general-purpose applications.

Types of Screwdrivers

The dissimilar types of screwdrivers are typically determined by the drive tip shape which corresponds with the specific head type of a given screw. However, other screwdriver types are application-specific or are intended for particular industries.

Some of the most common types of screwdrivers are detailed in the sections below.

Phillips Screwdriver

Also known every bit cantankerous-caput screwdrivers, Phillips screwdrivers are one of the near common types. But what is a Phillips caput screwdriver? These tools are designed to fit screws with Phillips heads, which have a cross-shaped recess - hence the alternative name of cross screwdriver. They were invented to cope with college torsion.

Torx or Star Screwdriver Known variously every bit star head screwdrivers, pointed screwdrivers, six-point screwdrivers, and torx screwdrivers, these versions are all the aforementioned blazon. Torx is the trademark for a blazon of spiral head with a six-point star-shaped intrusion, hence the generic name star screwdriver. These be to ensure even more torque tin be applied, in mechanical production, for example.

Insulated Screwdrivers

Likewise known as safe screwdrivers, insulated screwdrivers are important for taking safety precautions in potentially chancy scenarios. They are constructed from non-conductive materials such as safety. VDE screwdrivers are also designed with safety in mind. VDE is an internationally-accredited institution that tests tools to certify that they encounter the necessary safety standards. These tools are ideal for electricians.

Torque Screwdrivers

Non to be confused with Torx, a screwdriver with torque is similar to a torque wrench. Both are used to apply a specified torque which is meant to be just plenty merely not also excessive. They are platonic for tightening screws sufficiently without breaking the textile they are fastening and inversely tight enough then they do not fall out. A torquing screwdriver has a torque-limiting clutch that allows a limit on how much strength is applied across a certain threshold.

Flathead Screwdriver

The slot or flat-headed screwdriver is probably the nearly common form of hand tool. It has a flattened tip used for screws with a directly linear intrusion across the head. Flat blade screwdrivers are multi-purpose and tin typically exist used for a range of applications.

Tri-Wing Screwdriver

These are used for specific devices such equally consoles, mobile phones and cameras. They ofttimes feature quite small tips to enable utilise with smaller screws and components.

Pozidriv Screwdriver

Pozidriv screwdrivers are substantially an upgraded version of Philips. They were designed to reduce cam-out, which is the process where a screwdriver slips out of the screw head when more than torque is applied.

Hex Screwdriver

Allen keys or wrenches are more popular tools for loosening or tightening hex screws. Withal, hexagon screwdrivers exist to serve the same purpose and hex-head tools are often included in sets.

Square Screwdriver

The square-headed screwdriver fits screws with a square-shaped recess. It was invented to reduce the cam-out issue of the slotted screws and therefore speed up the fastening process.

Electric Screwdrivers and Affect Drivers

Electrical or cordless screwdrivers are mostly compact power tools that are practiced for various tasks such every bit assembling furniture or screwing into softwood or other like materials. Impact drivers, on the other paw, are essentially a more heavy-duty screwdriver blazon, intended for tasks like tightening or loosening fasteners using sudden force to drive into or remove from harder, denser materials.

Precision Screwdrivers

These screwdrivers are used for very small devices where extremely pocket-size screws are used. An instance of this would be precision work on watches and mobile phones.

Other Screwdriver Types

Triangle Screwdriver

Tools featuring a triangle screwdriver caput are less common, just they are ideal for certain applications. The triangular screwdriver head is beneficial equally its design makes it more than secure and tamper-proof than alternatives. These tools are oft used with appliances, toys, and electronics.

Magnetic Screwdrivers

Screwdrivers with magnetic tips allow screws to be attracted past magnetic force. This reduces the take chances of accidentally dropping them. Magnetised tools are useful for working on electronics where screws are small and can exist easily dropped into hard-to-reach places.

Ratchet Screwdrivers

Ratcheting screwdrivers have a built-in mechanism that allows the application of forcefulness merely in 1 management while allowing complimentary movement in the other direction. These hand tools function similarly to ratchet spanners.

Screwdriver Sizes

Screwdrivers come in many unlike sizes. As well as the standard large, medium and small, in that location are also stubby screwdrivers that are ideal for apply in tight or confined spaces. The tip width and the length of both the blade and the overall tool are normally measured in millimetres (mm).

You lot should note that some sorts and brands may offer different sizing options to others. For instance, at that place are four standard Phillips screwdriver sizes. These range from #0 to #4, where #0 is the smallest screwdriver.

Some tools can as well be classified by torx size. This is shown by the letter T followed by a number - for example, T10 screwdrivers. It ranges from miniature screwdrivers correct upwardly to T45 and beyond. This system can as well be applied to screws, helping you choose the corresponding screwdriver for a particular sized screw.

Parts of a Screwdriver

The three main parts that institute a screwdriver are as follows:

• Handle

• Shaft or shank

• Bulldoze tip or bit

All three parts are fabricated in a product process using machines to form the correct shape of material using an extruder and heat-treating it to achieve the desired tensile strength.

Screwdriver Handle

Screwdriver handles are used for gripping and are mostly shaped to preclude rolling on flat surfaces. They can also be ergonomically-designed to better comfort when gripping. The materials used in the manufacturing process have inverse over time and there is now besides more variety for tools intended for use in specific applications. Well-nigh ordinarily, the handles are ergonomic and fabricated of a composite of hard plastic such equally cellulose acetate and safe. They can besides be covered in a non-sideslip, soft material similar thermoplastic rubber to improve grip.

Shaft or Shank

The shaft or shank is usually made of potent steel to ensure that bending or twisting deformation does not occur when applying strength. The shaft will be rounded or hexagonal to allow a spanner or wrench to exist used to use increased torque. The shaft is generally unlike colouration and material to the drive tip which tin can exist interchangeable.

Drive Tip or Bit

The drive tip tin exist an integrated part of the shank if it is not detachable. Alternatively, it can exist an interchangeable part known as a driver - similar to drill bits. These are designed for employ with multi-bit tools. The tip may also be known as the screwdriver head.

Screwdriver Brands

Sets of Screwdrivers

Screwdriver sets are highly useful when it comes to having a diverseness of pieces in ane place. For example, there are precision screwdriver sets for delicate electronic work, equally well every bit more than multi-purpose electrician screwdriver sets for professionals.

Sets typically incorporate a diverseness of tools in a range of sizes. Depending on the set, this could include multiple different types or varying sized versions of the same tool. A popular instance of this is torx screwdriver sets. The best set up of screwdrivers will ultimately depend on your requirements and so be sure to select the nigh suitable set for your task or industry.

FAQs

Tin Yous Employ a Magnetic Screwdriver on a Estimator?

Yep - the magnet is generally not potent plenty to cause damage to electrical components. However, y'all should be careful not to bear upon exposed circuitry near screw holes on a motherboard or hard drive.

What are the Best Screwdrivers?

High-quality, good screwdrivers are available from a range of leading brands and manufacturers. However, the best screwdrivers will largely depend on your specific needs. For case, an electrician will accept different requirements from a hobbyist.

What Materials are Screwdriver Bits Made from?

Drive tips can be made from a variety of metals and alloys, including:

• Titanium

• Stainless steel

• Tool course steel or S2

• High-speed steel or HSS

• Chromium-vanadium-molybdenum or CVM tool steel

• Other non-sparking metals to reduce combustion risk

Each has its own benefits and platonic applications.

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Source: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/screwdrivers-guide

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