Having the right screwdriver is essential when it comes to fixing things around the house.
But with so many different types of screwdrivers on the market, it cannot be easy to figure out which is right for the job.
One of the most crucial hand tools in every toolbox is the screwdriver.
A screwdriver is necessary to do a particular operation that requires losing or tightening fasteners in various circumstances and occupations.
There are many different types of screwdriver varieties, and new ones keep appearing as manufacturers create new kinds of screws.
Fortunately, the average homeowner only has to stock a small number of kinds.
Our blog post will explore the different types of screwdrivers and what they’re used for so you can easily select the right tool for the job.
What Is a Screwdriver?
A manual or electric screwdriver is a tool used for driving screws. A standard simple screwdriver has a handle, a shaft that ends in a tip, and a handle to turn the tip into the screw head.
Due to their speed, ease of use, and ability to drill holes, power drills have primarily taken the role of this type of screwdriver in offices and households.
The shaft is often composed of solid steel to prevent bending or twisting.
The tip may be treated with a dark tip coating for enhanced visual contrast between tip and screw, ridged or treated for added “grip,” or toughened to resist wear.
Let’s go over the different kinds of screwdrivers in more depth.
Different Types of Screwdrivers
1. Flat-Head Screwdrivers
Flat-head screwdriver is first on our list of Different Types Of Screwdrivers.
Various screwdriver shaft lengths exist, and flat-head screwdrivers are categorized based on the tip’s size.
The shaft tip has a flat shape, as implied by the name, and only one slot that interacts with the slotted screw head.
The most popular hand tool type is a slot or flat-headed screwdriver.
It has a straight linear incursion head and a flattened tip used for screws. Flat-blade, one of the different types of Screwdrivers, are versatile and frequently used for various tasks.
Keystone and cabinet are the categories they fall under based on their intended use.
Keystone screwdrivers are more useful for carpentry and other applications since they have a slightly wider shaft tip than cabinet types.
In contrast, cabinet types are utilized for jewelry manufacturing and watch repair.
2. Phillips Head Screwdriver
Phillips screwdrivers are also on our list of different types of Screwdrivers. It is also referred to as cross-head screwdrivers and is among the most popular.
A Phillips head screwdriver is what, though? The alternate name for these tools is a cross screwdriver since they are made to fit screws with Phillips heads, which have a cross-shaped depression. They were developed to handle more torsion.
These different types of Screwdrivers were the first step toward power-driven screwdrivers, which can be used to complete tasks faster, more precisely, and accurately in today’s world.
Henry Phillips created them in the 19th century to introduce power-driven screwdrivers in most sectors.
Phillips screwdrivers are frequently employed in carpentry, renovation, and construction jobs. The Phillips screwdriver heads form a cross with a flared bottom and rounded tip.
The Frearson screwdriver, which resembles a Phillips, is an exception.
The Frearson head is sharp with a 45-degree slanted tip, which makes a difference and enables Frearson types of screwdrivers to produce higher torque.
3. Pozidriv Screwdriver
Different types of Screwdrivers made by Pozidriv is an improved version of Philips.
The process where a screwdriver slides out of the screw head when more torque is applied is known as cam-out, and these devices were made to lessen it.
Two cross symbols on the Pozidriv screwdriver are offset by 45 degrees. These are created and used extensively in Europe.
This form is employed in applications requiring high torque for screw tightening.
It offers superior slippage resistance and stability than Phillip’s profile, albeit it does not eliminate the cam-out effect.
The screw’s two sets of indentations are made to fit the blunt tip of the screwdriver.
Although a Pozidriv and a Phillips screwdriver appear to be interchangeable, the latter could jam into a Phillips screw and, when tightened, slide or break the screw head.
4. Robertson Screwdriver
The square screwdriver was created in Canada, commonly referred to as the Robertson screwdriver.
Robertson screwdrivers have a square-shaped tip with a slight taper at the end.
Thanks to its tapered end, the screw is inserted more quickly and stays on the tooltip without needing to be held in place.
Furniture and auto repairs frequently include the usage of Robertson screwdrivers. In Canada, where the tool was invented, they are well-liked.
Ford Motor Company was the first to employ these screwdriver kinds for industrial applications because they increased production speed, decreased damage, and were very dependable.
These are well-known in the United States and Canada but not in Europe.
5. Torx Screwdriver
To fit into screws or nuts and withstand increased torque, Torx screwdrivers have a tip with six rounded points that resemble a star.
Thanks to the design, the screw head is less prone to be stripped. These different types of Screwdrivers are frequently utilized in consumer electronics and automobile applications like wheel locking.
These variations, which go by different names, including star head screwdrivers, pointed screwdrivers, six-point screwdrivers, and Torx screwdrivers, are all the same.
The term “star screwdriver” is a general term for a type of screw head with a six-pointed star-shaped protrusion that bears the Torx logo.
This guarantee that even greater torque can be applied, for instance, during mechanical production.
6. Hexagon Screwdriver
To build furniture and secure home hardware like towel bars and faucet handles, hexagonal head screws are frequently utilized.
The hex screwdriver is made to tighten and loosen the heads of these kinds of screws, much like Allen wrenches.
It comes with a hex key at the tip. Nut drivers can also be used with hex screwdrivers.
The standard tools for loosening or tightening hex screws are Allen keys or wrenches.
However, hex-head types of Screwdrivers are available for the same purpose and are frequently seen in tool sets.
It resembles a hexagon and has six straight lobes. Most power driver tools can be equipped with hex arrangement bits because driving doesn’t cause slippage or cam-out effects, which speeds up production.
7. Spanner Screwdrivers
The flat-headed Spanner screwdriver is developed to insert and extract tamper-proof screws.
Two rounded pinholes on the spanner screws are located opposite one another.
8. Insulated Screwdrivers
Insulated screwdrivers, often called safety screwdrivers, are crucial for adopting safety precautions in potentially dangerous situations. They are made of non-conductive materials like rubber.
Furthermore, safety is a priority in the design of VDE screwdrivers. Tools are examined by VDE, a company with international accreditation, to confirm that they satisfy safety requirements. For electricians, these instruments are perfect.
Two pins that protrude from the tip of a spanner screwdriver are intended to fit these types of screw heads.
These screws are used as fasteners in public restrooms, transit hubs, and other locations where security is a priority.
9. Torque Screwdrivers
A screwdriver with torque is comparable to a torque wrench, not to be confused with Torx.
Both are utilized to provide a particular torque intended to be just right but not overly strong.
They are perfect for screw tightening so that the fastened material is not broken and, conversely, for screw tightening so that the screws do not fall out.
A torque-limiting clutch on a torquing screwdriver sets a restriction on how much force can be exerted more than that point.
10. Square Screwdriver
A square screwdriver is next on our list of different types of screwdrivers.
The screwdriver with a square head fits screws that have a square recess. It was created to lessen the slotted screws’ cam-out difficulty and, as a result, quicken the fastening procedure.
11. Precision Screwdrivers
These different types of screwdrivers are used with incredibly tiny devices that use tiny screws. Precision screwdriver work on watches and mobile phones is one instance of this.
12. Security T Screwdrivers
The Security Torx screwdriver, also called the Security T, is developed for tamper-resistant Torx screw heads.
An extra pin is at the center of the six rounded points on these screw heads.
These screws are not compatible with standard Torx, one of the different types of screwdrivers.
However, the Security T screwdriver’s tip features a recessed slot that can hold the pin.
13. Clutch Screwdrivers
Mobile houses and recreational vehicles are frequently built with clutch screwdrivers.
These kinds of screw heads that mimic bow ties might be present in an RV or an older car you own.
14. Specialty Screwdrivers
For specially constructed screws and nuts, many specialty screwdrivers are available. In contrast to Phillips tools, tri-point screwdrivers only have three points.
With electronic hardware, these different types of screwdrivers are frequently employed.
Use a triangle screwdriver for screws with a triangle-shaped recess at the head. The triangle-shaped piece has straight sides.
In the aerospace industry, tri-wing screwdrivers are frequently used with the screws and nuts holding together commercial airplanes.
In the middle of the three slotted wings is a tiny triangular opening. The slots are not aligned at the screw or bolt’s center and are offset.
15. Jeweler’s Screwdrivers
These tiny different types of screwdrivers are made for delicate operations with little screws in watches or eyewear.
Skilled jewelers and artisans utilize them, making them with flat and Phillips heads.
16. Computer Screwdrivers
Laptops, desktops, video gaming consoles, and other comparable equipment requirements are considered when designing computer screwdrivers.
Some of these screwdrivers are made to insert or take out tamper-proof screws.
17. Triangle Screwdriver
Although less prevalent, tools with triangle screwdriver heads are perfect for some uses.
The triangle screwdriver head is advantageous because it is safe and tamper-proof compared to alternatives, thanks to its shape.
Appliances, toys, and technological devices are frequently used with these instruments.
18. Magnetic Screwdrivers
Magnetic screwdriver is also on our list of different types of Screwdrivers. Screws can be drawn by magnetic force using screwdrivers with magnetic tips.
This lessens the possibility of dropping them unintentionally. Magnetized equipment comes in handy when working on electronics since little screws may be dropped quickly into confined spaces.
19. Ratchet Screwdrivers
Ratcheting screwdrivers contain an internal mechanism that restricts the movement in one direction while permitting force to be applied in the other. These hand tools perform ratchet spanner-like functions.
Screwdriver Sizes
Lastly, there are numerous various sizes of different types of screwdrivers.
Along with the typical large, medium, and tiny screwdrivers, short screwdrivers are perfect for usage in cramped or small locations.
Typically, millimeters are used to measure the width of the tip and the length of the blade, and the entire instrument (mm).
It’s essential to keep in mind that different brands and types may provide different sizing alternatives.
There are four standard sizes for Phillips screwdrivers, for instance. These are numbered 0 through 4, with 0 being the smallest screwdriver.
The Torx size can also be used to categorize some tools. This can be seen in products that begin with the letter T and a number, such as T10 screwdrivers.
It has everything from tiny screwdrivers to T45 and beyond. Using this approach to determine the appropriate screwdriver for a specific screw size is also applicable to screws.
Conclusion
Screwdrivers are one of the most commonly used tools in the home, garage, and workshop.
While you may think that all different types of screwdrivers are the same, the truth is that there are different types of screwdrivers with various uses.
In our blog post, we have discussed the different types of screwdrivers and what they’re used for so you can make sure you have the right tool for the job.
