Type of Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are common tools that are easy to use, but many people make the mistake of using the wrong screwdriver for the job. They end up stripping the screw and compromising the whole project. There are many types of screwdrivers with different shapes and tips. Each has a special purpose, and knowing them and their applications is key to getting the job done right.
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Phillips
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The Phillips screwdriver has a crossed tip. It is used to drive Phillips screws, whose heads are imprinted with an X shape.
Standard
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The standard or flat-head screwdriver looks just like the Phillips, with the exception of the tip; instead of having a cross or X shape, the flat-head screwdriver has a single blade. It is used for screws whose heads are imprinted with a straight line.
Universal
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Universal screwdrivers work on both Phillips and flat-head screws of varying sizes. They have a common handle, then a series of interchangeable bits (tips) that the user can take in and out depending on the needs of the job.
Ratcheting
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Ratcheting screwdrivers have a handy modification. Ratcheting handles are designed for speed, so instead of turning a screw then adjusting your hand to turn it again, you merely repeat the same turning motion in rapid succession.
Robertson and Star Screwdrivers
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Robertson screwdrivers are used to drive screws with a squared tip. Star screwdrivers, as the name suggests, are used to drive screws with star-imprinted tips.
Offset Screwdrivers
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Sometimes screws are hard to reach with a regular straight screwdriver. Offset screwdrivers are bent in different shapes (such as an L or Z shape) to reach screws in tight or awkward spaces.
Jeweler's Screwdriver
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Many screws, such as those in eyeglasses, are very tiny, and using a large screwdriver would either strip them or damage the object they're holding together. Jeweler's screwdrivers typically come in Phillips and standard varieties. They have very small parts and often are turned just with the fingers instead of the whole hand.
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