Not so long ago, all types of screwdrivers were represented by two tools: flat and cross. With the advent of foreign companies on the market, the need has increased and for the repair of many samples of furniture and equipment, it is not enough to have only two types of screwdrivers. Consider what the market offers today?

A bit of "screwdriver" theory

It looks like a simple tool - a screwdriver, yet it has its own history and no matter how many people think - the components. Experts divide screwdrivers into the following types:

  • Tip (sting). Work item tool. It is the sting that determines the direction of the screwdriver. Depending on the width and thickness, the type of the twisted elements is selected;
  • Kernel. It can be called a tip holder. In various types of screwdrivers, the rod can be both long and short. Often fasteners are placed in secret recesses and the right choice of size allows you to manipulate the tool;
  • Handle. The governing part. She master manipulates, giving rotational motion through the rod at the tip. Ergonomics and convenience should highlight this part of the tool. According to this today there are two types of handles: cylindrical with anti-slip protrusions, T-shaped.

On a note. Screwdriver type with anti-skid projections more common. It is possible to meet even handles, but handles clad in rubber cuffs are more convenient.

Types of tips: what stings are?

Having a little understanding of the types of screwdrivers, consider what the market offers in terms of the diversity of the work item, more precisely - sting?

Slot type flat

Few people know, but this tool has markings. Latin letters SL, will tell you that this type of screwdrivers is designed for loosening screws with a straight slot. If you cannot visually see the tool, look at the description in the price list.

crosshead screwdriver

PH marking. Along with a flat-blade screwdriver, this is a more common type of tool. Slots with a tapered groove allow for maximum tightening of screws and screws, even in difficult places.

Cross type screwdriver is more reliable, according to which today all manufacturers are gradually moving away from the use of screws with flat slots. Using a “single-slot” screwdriver, you can roll the screw head if it is stuck in the fixing point. The cross model provides almost 100% performance, even in difficult cases.

On a note. You can find in the stores and the combined types of screwdrivers. Combined models PH and SL are convenient and allow, without distracting from work, to change the work item by turning off any screws.

Allen screwdriver

For the most part, this is the key, but if there is a specialized tool with removable tips, then the hex can also be called a screwdriver. Marked letters HEX. The model allows to turn away the most difficult fastenings making huge efforts.

Screws of this type are the most durable and the possibility of breaking is minimal. Furniture industry and most of the automotive industry use these screws. Reliability of connection at height, and the possibility of using a hexagonal screwdriver, minimizes the risk of breakage.

Screwdriver asterisk

Marked by the manufacturer - TORX. Analogue hex screwdriver. Screws of this type can be seen on mobile devices and in the automotive industry.

There are still a screwdriver asterisks with secrets. On the outer side of the sting make grooves, in the form of a cube or a ball. This approach is used by certain car manufacturers from Germany and Japan. Thus, the possible variant of external intervention in the part, which can be repaired only in service centers, is limited.

In addition to the main types of screwdrivers presented above, there are still a lot of different types of keys. In stores you can purchase specialized kits: a universal handle and interchangeable nozzles of various shapes. The number of elements in some "collections" reaches up to 30 pieces.

Types of screwdrivers for markings: choose the right

In addition to lettering markings, the tool is also highlighted with digital indicators. If you understand to understand the notation, you can protect yourself from damage to the tool or screw, screwed into the part.

The screwdriver tool is simple and has only two types of symbols: alphabetic and digital. With the first figured out, consider what will tell you the numbers? In fact, everything is as simple as possible. It is enough to remember the following types of tools listed in the table.

These designations show the size of the instrument, and can also tell you about which works it is better to use?

  • No. 0 - perfectly copes with small screws no more than 2 mm in diameter;
  • No. 1 - removes fasteners up to 3 mm;
  • No. 2 - easily unscrews screws up to 5 mm in diameter;
  • No. 3 - designed for fasteners in 7 mm;
  • № 4 - heavyweight, copes with screws of 7 mm or more.

On a note. For clarity, we can give such an example of marking - PH2 * 120. Screwdriver cross-shaped, with a rod length of 120 mm and a diameter of 6 mm.

Electric tool

There are two more types of screwdrivers that not everyone can use, but in the home craftsman’s suitcase, they can often be seen:

  • Indicator screwdriver. Used in household electrics to determine the phase in the outlet;
  • Cordless screwdriver. This species has not found much demand. The fact is that with its power and cost it will be safer to purchase a “screwdriver”.

Several exotic instruments. However, you need to look at them in order to know about existence.

Universal tool type

This type of home tool is considered indispensable. The kit has a lot of nozzles, does not take up space, and changing the sting is not difficult and does not take much time. However, experts negatively respond to such screwdrivers, due to the lack of demand for the majority of tips and low efficiency of the action.

At the end of the rod, in these types of screwdrivers, there is a hexagonal recess into which the “bits” are inserted. From falling out it keeps the magnet, and from turning the face. The change is literally two seconds.

On a note. The magnetized rod transmits physical force to the sting, as a result of which the screws to be unscrewed in hard-to-reach places can be easily removed when unscrewing. Manufacturers of conventional screwdrivers, today also make tips from magnetized metal. Such a tool is safer and more convenient.

When choosing this type of screwdriver, pay attention to the number of interchangeable bits. In everyday life, you will need only 6-7 pieces: 3-4 types of cross stings and 3 flat ones. To overpay for a large set with unclaimed interchangeable elements is simply nothing.

Telescopic screwdrivers may be useful. The rod, consisting of several "cardan" reduces the torque load. However, it is very useful if you need to unscrew the screw in a hard-to-reach place.

Conclusion

If we talk about which screwdriver to choose for use, here we must follow the eternal rule - not everything cheap is reliable. The core and sting of the tool must be made of hardened iron, the handle must be with protuberances from turning or rubber nozzles.

Screwdrivers - perhaps the most necessary tool needed by everyone. At least once everyone had to assemble furniture, hang a shelf, fasten a board. It is necessary in the garden, in the country, in the garage, in any production.

There are a lot of types and manufacturers of screwdrivers, and the choice of a particular one depends on your needs. It can be a cross, flat (slotted), asterisk, trihedral, hex, screwdriver for precision work, or a cell phone.


  Phillips screwdriver (ph, abbreviated Philips). This is the most commonly used species. There are several sizes of the cross. The smallest one - has the number №000, a little more than №00, №0, №1, cross №2, №3 and.№4. The tip is usually magnetic, for ease of use. A screwdriver with marking 000 is used, for example, to repair very small items, such as cell phones, cameras. The cross is suitable for most screws, screws (you need to choose the right number of the cross), most often used cross number 2. You can tighten the screws on wood (black), with a press washer (white with a big hat), on metal (black), etc. In cars , the major technique applies the cross number 3.4.

Cross screwdrivers

For yellow (yellow passivated) self-tapping screws, a cross marked PZ will do. It differs from an ordinary cross by the presence of additional notches for tighter screwing of the tip of a screwdriver with a self-tapping screw. It also has several cross sizes. Judging by experience, the yellow screws can be turned with a simple Phillips screwdriver (ph), no problem, it is not necessary to look for the PZ connector.

Slotted (flat) screwdriver is needed for tightening and loosening screws and screws. It is used much less frequently than a cross. The dimensions of a flat head screwdriver are measured in millimeters. The tip width is measured. There are both small (1mm) and large (more than 10mm).


Impact screwdriver  necessary for loosening very tightly tightened or stuck screws, screws. The principle of its operation is as follows: you insist on a screwdriver on the screw, then hit the handle with a hammer, at the moment of the impact it turns. Unscrewing force is very high. In a set with a screwdriver, as a rule, there are interchangeable nozzles, both cross and flat. Their dimensions are quite large, since such a screwdriver is used when working with large structures and parts. After all, you will not knock with a hammer to disassemble the kettle.

If you often and many times twist, screws, screws, it will be appropriate to purchase a rechargeable screwdriver, it is quite convenient. For example, to build computers. Screws screwdriver can not twist, only screw connections. For self-tapping screws need a screwdriver (cordless drill). The screwdriver force is much lower, about 4.5 Nm / m (Newtons per meter), the screwdriver has at least 10, the professional has about 30 and more, of course you can twist very small screws (up to 20mm and no more than 3mm in diameter), but it will quickly sit down the battery.

There are quite specific types of screwdrivers. For example for the repair of cell phones.

Screwdriver set for cell phone

Usually sold in sets. It is completed with several types of different screwdrivers: flat (slotted), cross, asterisks, two teeth. The sizes are very small and bigger. Hour screwdrivers, also come in sets, are completed with several varieties, a magnet for the convenience of lifting small parts.

Screwdrivers are often sold in sets,

Set of screwdrivers

convenient enough, you never know what will be required. There are screwdrivers with interchangeable nozzles. At the end of this is a special connector into which various nozzles (bits) are inserted, they are sold separately, and in sets. Sets of bits very often contain very rare and specific species. If individually you can’t find the screwdriver you need, you’ll very likely find it in the bit set.

A set of specific bits

A three-pronged screwdriver is a rather rare type, it will be used in the repair of modern household appliances.

It is worth noting dielectric screwdriver. Unlike conventional, the working length is covered with a dielectric material. In case the item is energized, you will not be hit by current. Maintain a voltage of 1000 V.

Dielectric screwdriver

Test screwdriver  Need to determine the phase in the outlet, you can also find out whether the part is under voltage or not. There is a special indicator. Insert the sting into the outlet, or apply to the bare wire, be sure to touch the top of the screwdriver (not the sting) with your finger. If there is voltage, the LED located in the screwdriver will light up. Needed for home repairs, when installing chandeliers, sockets. You can also use this as a normal screwdriver. Suitable for small screws, screws.

Ratchet function and reverse screwdriver. It is very useful for long-term work, it helps not to be intercepted constantly, you just need to rotate the brush, without releasing the screwdriver handle. You can both tighten and unscrew the screws.

Many screwdrivers have a rubberized handle that allows you not to slip your hand. There are also oil-benzo resistant handles. Such resistant to aggressive environments such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene. Ordinary grip in such an environment "eats away."

How to use a screwdriver?  The main thing is to choose the kind that is necessary for a particular screw, bolt, screw. If the screw connector is a crosshead, then you should not screw it up with a flat screwdriver. If you tighten the furniture screw (confirmator), then you need a screwdriver with a hexagonal tip (size 4mm). It is important that the tip of the screwdriver sit very tightly in the screw head. Then it will not turn and you will not turn either the screw or the tip of the screwdriver. If the screw prirzhavel, you can use specials. means, let rust soften, only then unscrew. Otherwise, turn the screw head, then you have to drill.

More recently, only one type of screwdriver was present in the everyday use of a builder or a house craftsman, the tip of which resembled a blunt chisel - today such a screwdriver is called straight face and is used very rarely. She was replaced by a screwdriver of another type, as, in principle, the screws with bolts themselves. There are a lot of types of modern screwdrivers, and most of them are quite popular in household and repair - they have a different purpose, with which we will understand this article. Together with the site we will study the types of modern screwdrivers and determine their purpose.

How to choose a screwdriver photo

Types of screwdrivers: what we know about this tool

The screwdriver entered human life approximately in the 16th century together with the advent of such a fastener as a screw. At first it was a kind of a wrench, but later, when the screw head acquired a more or less modern look and got such a structural element as a slot, the screwdriver became an independent tool class. Wise heads even divide it into its constituent elements.


Some screwdrivers, or rather even their handles, can be equipped with a metal tip at the end - it can be either flat (this is a impact screwdriver that can be hammered) or hex. The latter version is designed to create maximum torque.

What are the screwdrivers: tip types

On the current market there are five most commonly used types of screwdriver bits.


In addition to the above types of screwdrivers, or rather the shape of their tip, there are other options - so to speak, specialized. Often they are developed by manufacturers of branded products that try to protect their products from counterfeiting and unauthorized opening by non-specialists.

How to choose a screwdriver: what is indicated in the marking

Any building materials and tools are marked for a reason, because someone wanted to. In the alphanumeric code marking lays some meaning - understanding it, a lot can be said about the product and its purpose. This code consists of letters that indicate the type of the tip of a screwdriver, as well as numbers - this is its size, from which the following follows.


And that's not all - the number of the screwdriver can also indicate the diameter of the screw, which can be unscrewed with it.

  • No. 0 - designed for screws with a diameter up to 2mm.
  • No. 1 - used in conjunction with screws with a diameter of 2.1 to 3 mm.
  • No. 2 - with its help twist screws with a diameter from 3.1 to 5 mm.
  • No. 3 - for screws 5.1-7mm.
  • No. 4 - heavyweights are used to work with screws with a diameter of 7.1 mm and more.

And for clarity, a simple example - PH2 * 120. This is nothing like a Phillips screwdriver with a diameter of 6 mm rod and a length of 120 mm.

Varieties of screwdrivers: a universal version

A universal screwdriver is the best option for home use, and there are no secrets in this - professionals prefer not to use them, as they have many interchangeable tips that remain unclaimed. Yes, yes, these are screwdrivers in which the tip can be changed. As a rule, at the end of their rod there is a hex socket - so to speak, a mounting hole for the sting, which for some reason is called a bit. This interchangeable nozzle is rotated by six edges, and from falling out by a powerful magnet inside the rod. In addition, this same magnet, magnetizing the bat, creates conditions under which the screw or screw itself reliably rests on the slots, which is very important when threading the screw into the hole.

This is with regard to the device itself screwdriver, but besides it, choosing such a set, you should pay attention to the nozzle, or rather on their working part. There are a lot of sets of such a plan, and not every one of them can be in demand in the household. A standard household screwdriver in a universal design contains five to six interchangeable nozzles. In most cases, these are flat and cross-shaped tips of different numbers. In principle, having a screwdriver at hand, it can be retrofitted at any time with the necessary nozzle. In such a situation, however, there will be a problem with storage - the complete bits neatly fit into a special cartridge belt, which, in turn, is hidden in the handle, and there is certainly no room for a new bit in it.

Universal photo screwdriver

One more thing. A telescopic rod is a very useful option for a universal screwdriver - in some way it loosens the screwdriver. Reduces the permissible load on it, but it allows you to get fallen fasteners from places inaccessible to human hands or fingers.

And in conclusion of the topic about the types of screwdrivers I will give several recommendations on their choice - besides the described variants, the very first thing that should be paid attention to is the cost of the tool. A good and high-quality screwdriver that can serve for a long time simply cannot be cheap: red-hot steel, a reliable handle - these are the most important things for which you have to pay money. As for cheap tools of this type, you can buy them for one-time work.

I completely forgot about two types of screwdrivers, which can be distinguished in general in a separate class - this is an indicator screwdriver (the lot of electricians, allowing to determine the phase and zero in the socket) and which has not found much demand in the modern world. The fact is that with its power it is practically no good for anything - for the same price you can buy household appliances, the sense of which will be much greater.

Because of the popularity of this tool, there are a great many different types and features of screwdrivers. These can be cross, flat, sprockets, multi-faceted screwdrivers, screwdrivers and screwdrivers for precision work.


The most commonly used type of screwdriver is a Phillips screwdriver.

Screwdrivers are made in various sizes. A phillips screwdriver is used for most screws and screws. For ease of use of the tool for this purpose, the tip of the cross-head screwdriver is often magnetized.


Slotted screwdriver, or, as it is often called, flat, is used when twisting and unscrewing all sorts of screws and screws. It is used much less frequently than a Phillips screwdriver. The dimensions of a slotted screwdriver are measured in millimeters, measuring the width of the tip of a screwdriver.

Impact screwdriver

In order to unscrew the especially tightly tightened screw or screw, use an impact screwdriver. The principle of its operation is that the energy that occurs at the time of impact on a screwdriver with a hammer, is sent to loosen the screw. Moreover, the unscrewing force is very high. Together with the impact screwdriver in the kit are all kinds of nozzles, both cross and slotted. As a rule, they are all quite large in size, as the impact screwdriver is used mainly when working with large parts and designs. Impact screwdriver does not work with small structures and devices, because they are easy to break, hitting a screwdriver with a hammer.

Rechargeable screwdriver

If you have to turn the screw connections quite often, then a rechargeable screwdriver will be just the way. This is especially true when working with household appliances. A screwdriver cannot twist the screws, because it has a small tightening force. For self-tapping screws there is such a tool as a screwdriver.

Screwdriver sets

There are more specific types of screwdrivers. For example, these are screwdrivers for repairing cell phones. They are usually sold as a kit, which consists of various small cross, slotted, asterisks and twin-tooth screwdrivers. Also, a set of sold and watch screwdrivers.

It is quite convenient to buy screwdrivers with complete sets, since you never know in advance where and when this or that screwdriver can come in handy.

Screwdrivers with interchangeable nozzles

There are screwdrivers with interchangeable nozzles. At the end of such a screwdriver there is a connector where various nozzles are inserted. Nozzles for these screwdrivers are usually sold in the kit. But if any nozzle is not enough, you can buy it separately.

Trident screwdriver

It is worth noting such a type of screwdriver as a trident. It is mainly used when you need to repair modern household appliances.

Dielectric screwdriver

For work in the conditions of electrical voltage dielectric screwdriver is useful. The handle of such a screwdriver is made of a material that does not conduct electricity, therefore, using it, holding the dielectric handle, you can work with parts that are under electrical voltage. Often screwdrivers have handles made of rubberized material. These are not necessarily dielectric screwdrivers. The rubberized handle can be just for the fact that the hand did not slip during the work.


To determine the phase in the electrics, you can use a screwdriver probe. It is also suitable for checking if any part is energized or not. To check, you need to put the sting in the socket, or to the part, and touch the top of the screwdriver with your finger. If there is voltage, the diode located inside the screwdriver will light up. Such a screwdriver can be useful in the household when checking outlets. The probe screwdriver can also be used as a normal screwdriver, but it is usually made quite flimsy, and it is better not to expose it to a large load.

Screwdrivers with ratchet and reverse function

During long-term work with screwdrivers, you need to think about buying a screwdriver with a ratchet and reverse function. Using these screwdrivers, there is no need to constantly intercept the handle. You just need to rotate the brush, not letting go of the handle of the screwdriver.

Nowadays, it is easy enough to find the right screwdriver, because the choice of screwdrivers is very large, and they are sold everywhere in various hardware and tool stores.