There are plenty of great tools out there, but perhaps none as universal as the screwdriver. There are five commonly used types, each should have a place in your toolkit! They are used as manual hand tools – with the power-drill being your choice if you need to screw something into an overly hard surface, such as drywall or wood.
The five types (and their uses) are as follows:
The Philips Screwdriver
These screwdrivers have a flared ‘cross’ shape on their head and are among the most commonly used in construction and woodworking. Everything from drywall to deck screws can be screwed in with a Phillips screw bit. They range in size and so you’ll need to make sure that you manually match the screw with the correspondingly sized Phillips bit.
The Flat-head Screwdriver
Flat-head screwdrivers used to be the bees-knees in construction until about twenty years ago. Now, flat-head screwdrivers are used when you need to be precise. This means their applications can extend to cabinetmaking, fine carpentry, electrical outlet installation, eyeglass repair – and indeed, getting that wet paint can lid off.
The Torx Screwdriver
Torx screws are a firm favourite among serious construction workers. They come with a recessed six-pointed star and their built-tough design and overall thickness make them a firm favourite for those doing wood framing, and concrete-to-wood applications.
The Allen Screwdriver
The Allen screwdriver, sometimes called a hex-key is used on smaller screws fitting smaller holes. Think of door locks, towel bars, faucet handles – and they are also most commonly found among bicycle parts. If you own a bike and do your own mechanics, then you’ll want to buy a small kit of many different sizes of Allen keys.
The Robertson Screwdriver
The Robertson screwdriver is a special type of square-head screwdriver that is recessed and is intended for use with Robertson screws – who also have a recession on their screw-head. The Robertson screwdriver is found in home DIY applications.
What Makes A Good Quality Screwdriver?
Now you know what types of screwdrivers there are available to you (most commonly), you’ll need to know how to choose a screwdriver.
While all screwdrivers are made from quality metal, their handles can be made from wood, metal or plastic – and as you’re likely to be using the handle an awful lot, this is where the quality comes from. You’ll want to make sure that your screwdriver feels comfortable in your hands and has a long enough shaft to give you the distance you require.
Wooden handles tend to be the least comfortable, as they can chip over time through weathering, abrasion and other damage. Modern screwdrivers are typically made with either plastic or rubber handles. Rubber handles tend to offer the greatest amount of comfort and ease of use – without having to worry about splinters, or broken plastic.
No matter what screwdriver you end up choosing for your projects. Remember to thoroughly clean your screwdriver after each use – with soap and warm water – then rub down lightly with oil on the metal, to keep it from rusting. Also, always remember to store your screwdrivers in an enclosed space – whether that’s a purpose-built case that they typically come with, or a toolbox. Somewhere free from dirt and moisture, which encourages rust build-up.
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