

Finally, some screwdrivers feature dual-material molded handles made with a combination of hard plastic and rubber. Screwdriver handles with a rubber coating allow for an easier, more comfortable grip during a long project. A narrower design forces the user to take more time and care with a precision project. This design works well for driving simple construction screws quickly. A wide-handle grip design allows you to drive a screw with more force. These tips are popular with industry pros for their resilience against wear over time and their increased grip strength when driving a screw.Ī slight difference in handle shape or size can change a screwdriver from a high-production construction tool to a high-accuracy technical tool. Black oxide, black phosphate, and diamond-coated tips increase friction between the screwdriver tip and the screw recess to help drive screws with more force and accuracy.In doing so, the screwdriver can apply more force to the screw, allowing you to drive the screw more quickly and accurately than with a simple steel tip. The increased force keeps more of the screwdriver head’s surface area firmly attached to the screw’s recess. Magnetic tips create a magnetic force that draws the screw to the screwdriver.These specialized tips generally help improve the grip of the screwdriver head in the screw and reduce the slippage likely to occur during normal use. Increasingly, screwdrivers come with a special coating on the tip. Mismatched sizes can strip screws, damage screwdrivers, and create slipping hazards that can lead to injury. Resist the temptation to use a larger or smaller tool with any screw you encounter. Hex key has a hexagonal head to fit a hexagonal recess on a screw.Įach type of screwdriver comes in a variety of sizes to match the different sizes of screws, which really does matter.Torx has a star or six-pointed tip for screws with a recess of the same shape.Robertson has a square tip to fit into a square-shaped recess.

Phillips has a cross pattern tip to fit into a cross-shaped recess on the screw.Flat (aka slotted) has a simple, flattened tip that sits in a straight-line recess on the screw.The following list includes the most common types of screwdriver heads: You won’t get any unpleasant surprises when you start a project only to realize you don’t have the right type of screwdriver. That’s what makes screwdriver sets so handy. Screwdriver Head Typeĭifferent screwdriver heads correspond to different types of screws. Read on for details on these factors and more, so you can choose the right screwdriver for the task at hand. Others have a coated tip to help improve grip and torque. Some screwdrivers come with a magnetic tip, which helps keep the tool in place on the head of the screw. The best screwdrivers for your project need to be the correct type, whether you need Torx screwdrivers, Phillips screwdrivers, Robertson screwdrivers, or the most common type of screwdriver, the slotted screwdriver. What to Consider When Choosing the Best Screwdriver Setĭon’t just grab the first available screwdriver set. ALSO CONSIDER: Craftsman Slotted Phillips Screwdriver Set, 17 Piece.BEST SCREWDRIVER BIT SET: JACKSON PALMER 208 Piece Ultimate Screwdriver Bit Set.BEST FOR WOODWORKING: Felo Slotted and Phillips Wood Handle Screwdrivers.BEST FOR ELECTRONICS: Klein Tools Precision Screwdriver Set with Case.BEST RATCHET: TEKTON Everybit Ratchet Screwdriver and Bit Set.
#Screwdriver bits driver#

And don’t miss the roundup of top picks among the best screwdriver sets available! To learn more about screwdriver sets, their key features, and what to look for when shopping for the best screwdriver set, keep reading below. A good-quality screwdriver set comes with all the screw heads you need to tackle many different repairs and projects, from tightening up a loose door handle to assembling a piece of flat-pack furniture. That’s why screwdriver sets are so handy. If you’ve only got one or two screwdrivers at your disposal, you may be out of luck if they don’t match the screws that come with your new bookshelf or kids’ playhouse kit. Nor does one type of screwdriver fit all situations. Screwdrivers are simple, slender hand tools that, with a few forceful twists, push screws into surfaces to fasten materials together (and, with the reverse action, remove screws).īasic as they are, screwdrivers are not a one-size-fits-all tool.
