A screwdriver is one of the most common tools of first necessity. The benefits of a screwdriver are undeniable. Everyone knows what it is for and what it is - it is a hand tool for screwing in, unscrewing and tightening threaded fasteners such as screws and bolts. The heads of screws and bolts have different shapes and depending on these shapes, the shapes of the screwdriver tips are also adapted. The most common types are straight and cross.
A screwdriver consists of a handle and a blade, which ends with a tip (tip). The handle can be made of wood, rubber, plastic or metal. The metal blade of the screwdriver is most often made of steel, but for greater strength there are interpretations with other metals such as chrome-vanadium for example /designation is cr-v/.
There are various types and models of this fundamental product in every toolkit. The market is full of various products, each manufacturer offers an original and functional development.
TYPES OF SCREWDRIVERS ACCORDING TO THE SHAPE OF THE TIP
The variety of bits is extremely large. The main types of screwdriver tips exceed 30, with the most common shapes being: straight (flat), cross /star/, six-pointed star /torx/, external and internal hexagon, triangular, square, fork, etc. Some manufacturers develop special, rarely found bolts for safety purposes. In this way, they limit the unauthorized opening of covers of appliances, devices and equipment. In this case, service technicians need to have specific screwdrivers.
The cross-head screwdriver is suitable for screw heads with cross-shaped slots. It is important to distinguish between posidrive (PZ) and phillips (PH) screws. The fine lines emanating from the inner corners characterize posidrive screws and are absent from phillips screws. The profile of the posidrive screwdriver is flatter and grips the screw differently. To prevent damage to the screw head and the screwdriver, it is a good idea to pay attention to the corresponding designation of the screwdriver when purchasing it, respectively using it.
A straight screwdriver drives and unscrews screws with a single slot: so-called straight slot screws.
Compared to Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, screwdrivers with a hex or Torx tip are used less often. However, they should not be missing from the toolbox. Hex screwdrivers are available in two varieties – as external and as internal hex. For screws with an internal or external hex profile, so-called hex keys are used. The Torx profile in the shape of a six-pointed star with rounded tips guarantees excellent power transmission. For this reason, screwdrivers with a Torx tip require relatively less force.
A special section of screwdrivers are electrical screwdrivers. Their handles and blades are lined with a special insulating material. They are tested under special conditions and carry the marking for electrically safe tools.
The decisive factor in choosing the right screwdriver is usually the purpose for which you will be tightening the screws. If you want to assemble furniture, it is good to know that in this case screws with an internal hexagonal profile are often used. Even more often such screws are used when connecting metal elements. If you plan to carry out electrical installation work, the right screwdriver can be life-saving. In this case, the use of a screwdriver with protective insulation is mandatory. It is also wise to use a phase meter, which is usually part of the kits.
WHAT SHOULD WE PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN CHOOSING A SCREWDRIVER?
When we use a screwdriver, the handle is in constant contact with the palm of our hand, and its advantages and disadvantages are determined by two factors: the materials used and its geometry. The latter determines how the force is transmitted to the screw and how the screwing force affects the screw we are screwing in. An ergonomic handle spares our hands and protects us from bruises, pimples, and rapid fatigue. Most often, the handles have a square or hexagonal shape. At first glance, it seems that angular shapes can be harmful to the palm, but in reality this is not the case. In addition, they have one big advantage - they do not allow the screwdriver to roll when it is on a slightly inclined surface. Such rolling would lead to the tool falling, which is undesirable in any case.
The ergonomic shape of the handle, which is thicker in the middle, is an advantage in torque transmission. With thicker handles, the effort applied is less.
The material from which the screwdriver handle is made is of great importance. Nowadays, handles are most often made of plastic. Here you can choose from countless types: in the case of ordinary screwdrivers, the handle consists of one-component plastic. Cellulose acetate handles are impact and oil resistant. Ergonomically designed two-component plastic handles ensure optimal slip resistance.
Most screwdrivers have a hole at the end of the handle for convenient hanging (this is convenient for storing the tool). This hole can also be used to insert a lever, in case we need to apply more torque.
The plastic body with rubber inserts and the ergonomic shape allow for easy and effortless screwing in of the hand. A disadvantage may be the lack of chemical resistance of the material, i.e. its inability to withstand the effects of contact with oil, gasoline, solvents or acetone.
Most multi-component grips (with rubber inserts) are designed and made for use in dry conditions, but short-term contact with chemicals is not dangerous for them.
Screwdrivers with a lacquered wooden handle are mostly used in carpentry and mechanical assembly.
The metal blade of the screwdriver from quality manufacturers is made of high-alloy steel (often chrome-vanadium), which ensures durability and long use of the tool.
In low-quality screwdrivers, the blade may look good at first glance, but it cannot withstand high and prolonged loads. The metal can bend and the slot can become jagged, distorted or broken.
The screwdriver blades are surface-treated, so they have increased corrosion resistance.
Some manufacturers process the bits in a special way, for example by mechanically roughening or laser treating the tip, to create a surface that provides greater friction between the screwdriver and the screw head. The increased friction reduces the risk of the screwdriver popping out of the head when tightening.
SCREWDRIVER AND DRIVER BITS (ENDS) PROVIDE A LARGE CHOICE AND TAKE UP LITTLE SPACE
Bits are short bits shaped like screwdrivers. They are most often used for screwdrivers, but can also be used in screwdrivers with interchangeable tips or telescopic ones. There are bits for all known screw profiles. The main advantage is that they guarantee you a large selection, and the space they take up is relatively small. In addition, the price is relatively low and the individual bits can be replaced without any problems. However, for very deep holes and for fine work, it is recommended to use a classic hand screwdriver.
When it comes to bits, the material the tip is made of is of great importance, as it determines the strength and torque (this is actually true for classic screwdrivers as well). Particularly strong tips are characterized by being made of chrome-vanadium steel and diamond-coated.
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
The wide application of the screwdriver also determines the wide variety of models that you can find with us. We have all possible shapes of tips. The variability in the lengths of the tools is also significant. In addition to standard screwdrivers, you can also find insulated, magnetic, impact, ratchet screwdrivers, screwdriver-handle, sets of different numbers and types, sets with interchangeable tips, sets of tips only.
Our range also includes bits with all possible types of bits of different sizes. The products are from the brands BAHCO, TOPMASTER, WERA, ATHLET, USH, TROY, WERT, GADGET, MANNESMANN, BOLTER and others.
