Cross-tip screws have two slots which cross at the center. These screwdrivers are made with four different sized tips. Cross-tip screwdrivers also have different length blades ranging from 1 inch to 8 inches.
What is a cross slot screwdriver used for?
screwdriver, tool, usually hand-operated, for turning screws with slotted heads. For screws with one straight diametral slot cut across the head, standard screwdrivers with flat blade tips and in a variety of sizes are used. Special screws with cross-shaped slots in their heads require a special screwdriver | tool | Britannica BrowseSearch
What does a cross screwdriver do?
A cross or double-slot screw drive has two slots, oriented perpendicular to each other, in the fastener head; a slotted screwdriver is still used to drive just one of the slots. This type is usually found in cheaply-made roofing bolts and the like, where a thread of 5 mm (0.20 in) or above has a large flattened pan head .
How to choose the best screwdriver?
- Flat (aka slotted) has a simple, flattened tip that sits in a horizontal line recess on its corresponding screw.
- Phillips has a cross pattern tip to fit a cross-shaped recess on its corresponding screw.
- Robertson has a square tip to fit a square-shaped recess on its corresponding screw.
What is a cross point screwdriver?
When a Phillips Is Not a Phillips!
- Early Screws. Around the first century, screw shaped tools became common, however, historians do not know who invented the first.
- Cut Slot Drive. Cutting a slot in a screw head to turn it is an old idea: drawings from the 16th century show screws with slotted heads.
- Crossed-Slot Drive. ...
- Lotus Head Drive. ...
- Robertson® Drive. ...
- Square Drive. ...
What can I use instead of a cross screwdriver?
The first thing you could try is a kitchen knife. Choose one that has a rounded tip like a butter knife or a small knife that you would use for a cheese board. Take the blade tip and angle the handle down toward the ground to give yourself some leverage. If you don't have a butter knife on hand, try a dime.May 8, 2018
What are the 4 types of screwdrivers?
4 Types of Screwdrivers Every DIYer Should OwnFlat Type Screwdrivers. ... Phillips (PH) Type Screwdrivers. ... Pozidriv (PZ) Type Screwdrivers. ... Torx Tamper-Proof (TPX) Type Screwdrivers. ... Teng Tools Screwdrivers.Apr 9, 2020
What is a cross-head screw called?
The Phillips Screw Company and the American Screw Company patented a cross-head screw with parallel flanks which prevents the ejection force during tightening or loosening. The name Pozidriv is the abbreviation or acronym for "positive drive".May 31, 2011
What are the 3 types of screwdriver?
What are the Screwdriver Types?Flat Head or Slotted Screwdriver. This screwdriver type is probably the most common form of hand tool. ... Phillips Screwdriver. ... Torx or Star Screwdriver. ... Hex Screwdriver. ... Pozidriv Screwdriver. ... Robertson or Square Screwdriver. ... Tri Wing Screwdriver.
What type of screwdriver is used by electrician?
The two most common electrician's screwdriver models used are the Phillips head driver and the flat head, or blade-style, driver.Mar 29, 2022
Why is it called Phillips screwdriver?
Since a standard flat-head didn't fit cleanly into the head of a screw, Phillips designed a different screwdriver to fit his new invention. This new screwdriver came to be known as the Phillips screwdriver and completed what is now known as the Phillips system.Apr 9, 2022
Is a cross head screwdriver the same as a Phillips screwdriver?
Also known as cross-head screwdrivers, Phillips screwdrivers are one of the most common types. But what is a Phillips head screwdriver? These tools are designed to fit screws with Phillips heads, which have a cross-shaped recess - hence the alternative name of cross screwdriver.
Is cross head screwdriver same as Phillips?
The crosshead style of screw is best suited for power driving. Phillips and posidrive screws are two types of crosshead screws, different from each other in that the Phillips screw head has four cross points and the posidrive screw head has a star with eight points. The third kind of screw is the socket or hex screw.Jul 22, 2011
What is a 5 point screw called?
pentalobe security screwThe pentalobe security screw (Apple nomenclature), or pentalobe screw drive, is a five-pointed tamper-resistant system used by, but not limited to, Apple in their products.
What is a hexagon screwdriver called?
Allen Wrench Hex or Allen keys may not look like the typical screwdriver with a distinct head, shaft and handle, but rather an L-shaped piece of metal with hexagonal ends. They fit into hexagon-shaped holes in screws. Sizes: Allen wrenches usually come in standard sizes, according to Hunker.Apr 28, 2021
What is Philip screw?
Definition of Phillips screwdriver : a screwdriver that is designed to be used with a type of screw (called a Phillips-head screw) that has a slot in its top that looks like a cross.
What screwdriver is also known as snake eyes?
This spanner head screwdriver features a point that can be used for securing or removing screws. Also called a snake-eyes screwdriver.
Types of Screwdrivers
There’s many screwdriver types, but for 99% of people these 6 common ones are all you’ll ever need to know.
How to Use a Screwdriver – A Beginners Guide
First and most importantly, you will want to have the right size of screwdriver before you begin. Ther e are 4 common sizes of Ph illips heads which range from 0 to 4. Naturally, 0 is the smallest and 4 is the largest. Though most often you’ll come across sizes 1 and 2, which fit most standard size screws (2) and electronics and jewelry (1).
Parts of a Screwdriver
There are three basic parts of a screwdriver: the handle, the shank, and the head. Some consider the tip (the tip of the metal head) as being it’s own part of a screwdriver, so there’s actually 4 parts.
Screwdriver Safety and Cam Out
As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, some screwdriver types (like Phillips) are constructed to cam out. This is a double-edge sword. While it is actually a feature to avoid over-tightening, it also can strip the screw head.
Wrap Up
This article has covered everything you need know about the 6 most common screwdriver types to how to use a screwdriver safely. Hopefully you’ve learned something new during your time here, don’t forget to share and leave a comment if you have any questions or additional knowledge you’d like to add.
1. Flat Head (or Slotted Head) Screwdriver
It is one of the oldest types of screwdriver. It was invented in the 15th century in Europe and one of the most common types of screwdrivers. As the name suggest it has a flat shape shaft tip with a single slot which engages with the slotted screw head only.
2. Phillips Screwdriver
As today’s world is moving from a manual driven to power or motor driven, these were the first step towards power driven screwdrivers to save time and do things more precisely and accurately. These were invented in 19th century by Henry Phillips with an aim to introduce the power driven screwdrivers in most of the industries.
3. Pozidriv Screwdriver
The pozidriv screwdriver, unlike Phillips screwdriver, has two cross sign which are offset at 45 degree angles. These are designed and widely used in Europe.
4. Robertson or Square Screwdriver
The square screwdriver also known as Robertson screwdriver, named after a Canadian inventor.
5. Torx Screwdriver
Torx screwdriver is becoming very common and often used by automotive technicians. Many times they are called as star tips by technician. This driver has a star shape tip with 6 rounded lobes. Because of the circular geometry of the lobes there is low radial force in a torx screwdriver, which increases the life of the screw and the screwdriver bit.
6. Hex Screwdriver or Hexagon Screwdriver
It has six straight lobes, like hexagon. These are used to fasten often bolts rather than screws. You must have seen these bits in your ratchet box for tightening up or loosing hex bolts, nuts and screws.
1. Handle
Handle, generally wooden or plastic handles are fixed to the screwdrivers. In order to save the wooden handle from being broken, an iron is fixed to the handle.
2. Shank
The middle part between the blade and the handle is called the shank. On its lower part tip or blade is made.
3. Blade
Blade is the lower part of the shank. It is also known as tip. This part is hardened and tempered.
1. Flat Head
As its name indicates these types of screwdrivers are used for tightening or loosening different types of screws. These are available in small as well as larger sizes.
2. Philips
The tip of these types of screwdrivers is different from that of others. This tip is pointed and is made after cutting four flutes. Philips screwdrivers are used where the screw has T cross-shaped groove at their heads. These screws are available in varying numbers measurements.
3. Torx
Torx screwdrivers are very common and are often used by automotive engineers. Sometimes they are also called star tips by an engineer. This driver has a star-shaped tip with 6 round lobes.
4. Robertson or Square Screwdriver
The square screwdriver is also known as the Robertson screwdriver. A Canadian invented this screwdriver. Engagement of a fairly tapered square-shaped opening screw with a square projection, which involves no angle, neglects the cam-out effect, thus improving centralization.
How to Get the Screw Bits You Need
As you know, both drivers and bits can be purchased individually and in sets. For the best deal, we recommend purchasing a good bit set to build a robust screwdriver fastener collection. One set we really like includes the Wurth Zebra Universal Bit Assortment but you can find less expensive screw bit solutions as well.
Screwdriver Bit Types Explained
The various drive tips are made for a variety of reasons. Some are patented because they offer a unique solution to keeping a driver bit in place—others are simply better for the application they are intended for. In our opinion, the biggest reason for going with a particular screw bit type is getting a good grip on the fastener.
Phillips Head Screw Bits
The most common type of fastener has got to be the #2 Phillips head bit, but we’ve even seen adaptation here. The name “Phillips” comes from its inventor Henry F. Phillips in the 1930s. These types of screwdrivers have a pointed cross-head tip that matches a self-centering, cross-head screw.
Slotted or Flat Head Screwdriver Bits
Slotted or flat heat screwdrivers, one of the oldest types of screwdriver, started in the early 1800s. This type of screwdriver bit works with slotted screws that have a cut through the top of the head.
Hex or Allen Head Screws and Bits
We refer to hex head screws as Allen screws. These are a useful type of fastener because of how effectively they limiting the amount of slip. An Allen or hex screw bit often makes its way into furniture but even automotive applications use them. We also find these types of screwdriver bits on bicycles.
Torx Bits and Torx Plus Bits
TORX head screws and bits also commonly get referred to as Star bits. These-six-pointed bits resist slippage or cam-out better than slot head or Phillips head designs. In fact, TORX head bits and screwdrivers were specifically designed to prevent it.
Torx vs Torx Plus
An adjustment to Torx, Torx plus took that star design and squared off the edges. That resulted in more surface-contact area. Of the many types of screwdriver bits on the market, Torq Plus might just be the most grippy and stable. To make things even more complicated, Torx Plus security bits have just 5 lobes instead of 4.
Slotted drives
Slot screw drives have a single horizontal indentation (the slot) in the fastener head and is driven by a "common blade" or flat-bladed screwdriver. This form was the first type of screw drive to be developed, and for centuries, it was the simplest and cheapest to make.
Cruciform drives
The following are screw drives based on a cruciform shape; i.e., a cross shape. Other names for these types of drives are cross recessed, cross-head, cross tip, and cross-point. A double slotted screw drive is not considered cruciform because the shape is not recessed, and consists only of two superimposed simple milled slots.
Square drives
A Robertson screw, also known as a square or Scrulox screw drive, is specified as ANSI Type III Square Center and has a square -shaped socket in the screw head and a square protrusion on the tool. Both the tool and the socket have a slight taper.
Multiple-square drives
The LOX-Recess screw drive was invented by Brad Wagner, and fasteners using it are distributed by licencees Hitachi, Dietrick Metal Framing, and Grabber. The design is four overlapping square recesses, with 12 contact points, and is designed to increase torque, decrease wear, and avoid cam-out.
Internal hex drives
The hex socket screw drive has a hexagonal recess and may be driven by a hex wrench, also known as an Allen wrench, Allen key, hex key, or inbus as well as by a hex screwdriver (also known as a hex driver) or bit. Tamper-resistant versions with a pin in the recess are available.
Pentalobular sockets
The pentalobe screw drive (often mistaken for 5-point torx screw drives) is a five-pointed tamper-resistant system being implemented by Apple in its products. Apple's first use of the pentalobe drive was in mid-2009 to secure the battery in the MacBook Pro.
Hexalobular (Torx)
The hexalobular socket screw drive, often referred to by the original proprietary brand name Torx ( / ˈtɔːrks /) or by the alternative generic name star drive, uses a star-shaped recess in the fastener with six rounded points. It was designed to permit increased torque transfer from the driver to the bit compared to other drive systems.
History
The earliest documented screwdrivers were used in the late Middle Ages. They were probably invented in the late 15th century, either in Germany or France. The tool's original names in German and French were Schraubenzieher (screwtightener) and tournevis (turnscrew), respectively.
Handle
The handle and shaft of screwdrivers have changed considerably over time. The design is influenced by both purpose and manufacturing requirements. The "Perfect Pattern Handle" screwdriver was first manufactured by HD Smith & Company, which operated from 1850 to 1900. Many manufacturers adopted this handle design.
Drive tip
Screwdrivers come in a large range of sizes to accommodate various screws—from tiny jeweller's screwdrivers up. A screwdriver that is not the right size and type for the screw may damage the screw in the process of tightening it.
Variations
Screwdrivers are available—manual, electric, and pneumatic—with a clutch that slips at a preset torque. This helps the user tighten screws to a specified torque without damage or over-tightening. Cordless drills designed to use as screwdrivers often have such a clutch.
