One of the most commonly used household tools by professionals and DIYers is a screwdriver, which is designed for driving or removing screws. These tools come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and types. Common differences between the various types include the handle, shaft, and tip (or head) of the screwdriver, as well as the power used to drive the screws. Different types of screwdrivers are intended for specific jobs, so it's important to choose the right type for the best results.
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While most screwdrivers are manually operated, some models have an internal motor to drive the screws. These products use battery power or a direct connection to a nearby electrical outlet. Keep reading for more information about the different types of screwdrivers and learn which screwdrivers you should have in your toolbox.
A screwdriver is a simple object used for driving screws or removing screws and consists of a handle, shaft, and tip (or head) that fits into the compatible screw notch or slot. Screwdrivers can be manual or electric and they come in a variety of different types.
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Types of Screwdrivers and How to Use Them
Familiarizing yourself with the eight types of screwdrivers ensures you know which is best for your task. Here, we're breaking down the uses of each screwdriver so you can decide which are worth stashing in your toolkit .
A screwdriver is one of the more well-known tools, but many people may not know all eight types of screwdrivers and their unique uses. There are several more screwdrivers than the common Phillips and flathead, and each variation of the handheld tool is suited for a specific use. The difference lies in the head of the screwdriver, which is tailored toward driving a particular type of fastener. Using the correct screwdriver will help your home improvement projects go much more smoothly, efficiently, and quickly, so having the ability to distinguish the different types of screwdrivers is very useful.
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Flathead Screwdriver
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Best for: Remodeling, electrical projects, automotive repair, finish work, low-torque applications
Flathead screwdrivers, sometimes called slotted-head screwdrivers or flat screwdrivers, are among the most commonly used screwdrivers. Consisting of a flat drive tip that fits into a single slot on a screw head, the flathead screwdriver is incredibly basic yet extremely effective. In addition to fitting screws with a single slot, flathead screwdrivers can also be used for loosening Phillips head screws at risk of stripping. In some way, every type of screwdriver on this list is an improvement or modification of the flathead screwdriver.
Flathead screwdrivers can easily slip from the screw head, posing a safety risk to the user. Where possible, replace slotted screws with Phillips or Torx screws for applications that require high-torque fasteners.
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Phillips Screwdriver
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Best for: General home maintenance and repair, DIY projects, construction, remodeling
The Phillips screwdriver is the second most common type of screwdriver and likely one that nearly everyone is familiar with. The drive tip of a Phillips screwdriver features the same flat end of a flathead screwdriver with the addition of a second perpendicular wing. This tool slides into a fastener with an "X" slot on its head. The added perpendicular wing self-centers the drive tip in the fastener, allowing it to hold better during tightening and loosening.
Though you can fit different-sized Phillips screwdrivers in the same screw, choosing the right-size screwdriver will prevent stripping the screw head.
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Pozidriv Screwdriver
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Best for: High-torque Phillips applications, construction, remodeling
Pozidriv screwdrivers look a lot like Phillips screwdrivers, but the former is an improved variation of the latter. Pozidriv screwdrivers feature the same "X" style drive tip but integrate a secondary, smaller "X" between the wings, which greatly increases the grip of the Pozidriv screwdriver when used with Pozidriv screws.
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Torx Screwdriver
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Best for: Automotive repair, framing, DIY projects, woodworking, high-torque fastener requirements
Torx screwdrivers drive fasteners with a recessed 6-sided "star" head, which is why the type of screwdriver is commonly called a "star bit." Similar to electric screwdrivers, star-head fasteners are used whenever the user needs to torque the fastener with minimal slippage for demanding projects like building a deck. The minimal slipping and maximum drive power of a Torx screwdriver is thanks to the high grip offered by the star design, which greatly increases the contact surface area between the bit and the head of the fastener. The self-centering head has six surfaces to push against as it tightens or loosens the fastener.
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Security T Screwdriver
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Best for: Tamper-proof applications
A security T screwdriver is almost identical to a standard Torx screwdriver'so much so that you may not notice the difference at first glance. To differentiate the two types of screwdrivers, look at the tip. The security T driver features a small indentation in the center of the tip, while the standard Torx driver is flat on the tip. This indentation fits over a raised detail in a security T fastener, preventing the fastener from being loosened by a standard Torx driver. This adds an extra layer of security for items that shouldn't be tampered with.
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Hex Screwdriver
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Best for: Automotive repair, hardware repair and adjustment, fixture repair and adjustment
Hex screwdrivers, often called Allen-head screwdrivers, are drivers with 6-sided drive tips. Unlike the 6-sided drive tip of a Torx screwdriver, the six sides of the hex screwdriver are flat like a hexagon. Hex drivers come in many styles, such as screwdrivers, bits, sockets, and hex keys, which are L-shaped tools with hex drivers on each end. Hex drivers also come in a wide range of sizes, from tiny hex drivers suited for hard-to-see fasteners to massive drivers that can handle highly torqued fasteners.
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Robertson (Square) Screwdriver
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Best for: Construction, remodeling, automotive and trailer repair
Robertson screwdrivers consist of a simple square drive tip, leading them more commonly to be called square drivers. The Robertson screwdriver's square shape was the original answer to screw slippage, as it gripped better than flathead and Phillips screwdrivers. While still used, many manufacturers opt for Torx screwdrivers instead of Robertson screwdrivers for high-torque applications that require minimal slippage and maximum driving power.
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Precision Screwdriver
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Best for: Electronics repair, glasses repair, jewelry repair
Precision screwdrivers are tiny iterations of the most common types of screwdrivers, such as Phillips, flathead, and Torx. While you likely won't find a use for precision screwdrivers when remodeling your kitchen, these mini screwdrivers are irreplaceable for delicate tasks like adjusting glasses, working on electronics, tightening jewelry, servicing tools, or anything that requires a tiny screwdriver tip. Precision screwdrivers function the same as standard screwdrivers but often feature a spinning cap, which allows the user to place their finger on top of the tool to steady it as they work.
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