Phillips screwdriver - found in every home! All about screwdrivers: types, materials and guests.

Every home has at least a minimal set of screwdrivers. However, nothing lasts forever, and sooner or later you have to go shopping for a new tool. In the hardware store, eyes run from huge selection- the Phillips screwdriver has received many incarnations!

Phillips screwdriver: GOST - which you can not do without!

In large supermarkets, a whole department may be dedicated to screwdrivers, and a sales consultant will read you a whole lecture on the types of tools. So that you do not feel like a student in class, consider a Phillips screwdriver, as they say, under a microscope! With the design, only at first glance, everything is simple - a handle and a rod. However, in modern instruments the rod is divided into two parts: the rod itself and the tip, or, as it is also called, the sting.

Each of these links can be vulnerable in its own way, and only the quality of all parts will ensure the reliability and durability of the tool as a whole. The tip is exactly the part, the difference in which created so many varieties of screwdrivers. The slot (the shape of the recess in the head of a screw, self-tapping screw, or screw) has almost completely fallen into disuse, since the cross slot allows for better contact between the tool and the head, provides more torque and does not allow it to slip out of the fastener.

The most common cross slot is patented back in the 30s of the last century by the company Phillips and eventually received her name and the corresponding marking Ph. Later, another screwdriver appeared, the tip of which had additional guides placed between the main ones. Such a tool has a greater depth of entry into the screw head and even greater torque. The tip is named Pozidriv and labeling pz.

Special screwdrivers - exotic construction counters

Since the advent of cross tools, many manufacturers have appreciated the advantages of this form of slots. In addition to increasing productivity, the use of new fasteners made it possible to limit the access of ordinary consumers to the internal contents of a particular product. The second advantage is an increase in torque and tightening force of fasteners without special tools such as a screwdriver. It is for the second reason that screwdrivers of the type Togh, or "asterisks".

The second name quite accurately describes the appearance of the slot, which has the shape of a six-pointed star. Even rarer is the "asterisk" variety with a pin located inside the tip. Even with a tool like Togh, you will not be able to unscrew the desired screw. The asymmetric cross tool has a cross slot, each side of which is slightly shifted to the side.

This form allows manufacturers not only to protect their products from barbaric "curiosity", but also to screw fasteners with maximum tightening. In everyday life, the tool is not common, but is widely used in high-tech areas of production. Even more special tools used in very narrow areas can be listed indefinitely, but the likelihood that you may need them in life is extremely small.

Small or large Phillips screwdriver - dimensions

Many buyers do not pay attention to the size of the tip, although professionals collect a whole slot that is the same in type, but different in size. And they are absolutely right - a mismatch in dimensions will either lead to a breakdown of the tool itself, or to a cut of the slot. As you already know, classic Phillips screwdrivers are marked with the abbreviation PH, after which the screwdrivers or packages indicate sequence numbers from 000 to 4.

When choosing a tool purely for housework, it is better to stop at a screwdriver PH2, which is suitable for most self-tapping screws and screws applicable in the household.

By the way, it does not hurt to know the marking of flat screwdrivers. They use Latin letters. SL, and the numbers after the letters indicate the width of the tip in millimeters. The smallest screwdriver is only 2 mm, the widest is 18 mm. For everyday tasks, you only need three flat-blade screwdrivers with a small slot SL3, medium SL5 and big enough SL8. When buying, pay attention to how rough the tip of the tool is - the reliability of fixing the screwdriver in the recess of the fastener directly depends on this quality. Quite often, to increase the roughness, in addition to notching, the tips are sprayed, which provides high friction.

Strong core - more possibilities!

Having decided on the tip, pay attention to the rod. What makes you think that it can only be round? Depending on your needs, you can also find hex or square screwdrivers among the offers, which is very convenient for gripping with a wrench to turn fasteners with more force. In addition, the ribs provide the tool with additional rigidity.

The main strength is determined by the steel from which the product is made. GOST for such tools prescribes the use of metal with a strength of 47 HRC to 52 HRC, no higher, no lower. Soft metal will bend, while too strong will crack, which is why, most often, you will find the designation CR-V on screwdrivers, which stands for chrome-vanadium alloy. Not always trusted manufacturers consider it necessary to write obvious information, while on low-quality instruments of unknown origin this inscription will be stamped in large letters.

You have to work as a tool in the most different conditions, so make sure that the tool is at least coated with a protective coating against corrosion. Plastic or rubber-coated rods are more often used by electricians, but such tools are not always convenient, since the rod becomes thicker than the tip, and makes it difficult to access fasteners that are hidden in the part. Standard length the rod ranges from 100 to 200 mm, there are also shorter or longer tools for working in tight spaces or screwing screws in hard-to-reach places. If you often work with non-standard fasteners, then the best choice there will be a telescopic screwdriver for you, the reach of which is adjustable.

More recently, in the everyday life of a builder or home master there was only one type of screwdriver, the tip of which resembled a blunt chisel - today such a screwdriver is called a straight slot and is used very rarely. She was replaced by a different type of screwdriver, as, in principle, the screws themselves with bolts. There are a lot of types of modern screwdrivers, and most of them are quite in demand in household and repair - they have different purpose which we will deal with in this article. Together with the website, we will study the types of modern screwdrivers and determine their purpose.

How to choose a screwdriver photo

Types of screwdrivers: what do we know about this tool

A screwdriver came into human life around the 16th century, along with the advent of such a fastener as a screw. At first it was some kind of wrench, but later, when the head of the screw acquired more or less modern look and got this structural element like a slot, a screwdriver turned into independent class tool. 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 an impact screwdriver that you can hit with a hammer) or hex. The latter variety is designed to create maximum torque.

What are screwdrivers: types of tips

On the modern market There are five most commonly used types of screwdriver bits.

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

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

Any Construction Materials and tools are marked for a reason, because someone wanted to. A certain meaning is laid in the alphanumeric marking code - understanding it, a lot can be said about the product and its purpose. This code consists of letters that indicate the type of tip of the 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 that can be unscrewed with it.

• No. 0 - designed for screws with a diameter of up to 2mm.
• No. 1 - used in tandem with screws with a diameter of 2.1 to 3 mm.
• No. 2 - with its help, screws are twisted with a diameter of 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 or more.

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

Varieties of screwdrivers: universal option

The universal screwdriver is the best option for home use, and there are no secrets in this - professionals prefer not to use them, since many of their interchangeable nozzles 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 hexagonal recess - so to speak, a landing hole for a sting, which for some reason is called a bit. This interchangeable nozzle is kept from turning by six faces, and from falling out by a powerful magnet inside the rod. In addition, this very magnet, by magnetizing the bit, creates conditions under which the screw or screw itself is securely held on the slots, which is very important when threading the screw into the hole.

This is with regard to the device of the screwdriver itself, but besides it, when choosing such a set, you should also pay attention to the nozzles, or rather to their working part. There are a lot of sets of such a plan, and not every one of them may be in demand in the household. A standard home craftsman's screwdriver in a universal design contains five to six interchangeable nozzles. In most cases, these are flat and cross-shaped tips. different numbers. In principle, having the screwdriver itself at hand, it can be equipped with the necessary nozzle at any time. In such a situation, however, there will be a problem with storage - the complete bits fit neatly into a special bandolier, which, in turn, hides in the handle, and there will probably not be a place for a new bit in it.

Universal screwdriver photo

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

And in conclusion of the topic about the types of screwdrivers, I will give some recommendations on their choice - in addition to the varieties described, the very first thing you should pay attention to is the cost of the tool. A good and high-quality screwdriver that can last a long time simply cannot be cheap: hardened steel, a reliable handle - these are the most important things that you have to pay money for. As for cheap tools of this type, they can be bought for one-time work.

I completely forgot about two more types of screwdrivers that can be generally distinguished into a separate class - this is an indicator screwdriver (the lot of electricians that allow you to determine the phase and zero in the outlet) and, which in modern world did not find much demand. The fact is that with its power it is practically useless for anything - for the same price you can buy a household one, which will be much more useful.

First, a little history. It is difficult to say when and where the first propeller appeared. The first mention of screws refers to XVI century; it can be assumed that the screwdriver appeared at about the same time. Initially, the shape of the screw head was a rectangle or square. Do not forget that everything was made by hand forging. However, this shape limited the possibility of a strong tightening of the screw, especially in hard-to-reach places.

Then the hex wrench was invented, resulting in a wrench with six settings over a 360° range. Socket wrenches appeared, providing vertical access to the screw head and the possibility of conveniently tightening it with the application of any necessary force.

And, one day, a thought flashed through a certain person: “Why, in fact, is a key necessary? Why can’t a groove be cut in the head and work with a screw using a rod with a flat end?” - this is how the slot appeared, and after it the screwdriver. Why the tool was called a screwdriver, and not a "wrapper" (after all, the screw is first wrapped) remained a mystery.

slots

Many years passed, many slots were “torn off” and screwdrivers were broken before users received a tool that is so necessary in everyday life and production. The design of the screwdriver - the length and diameter of the rod, the shape and dimensions of the handle - began to provide convenient and high-quality work in specific conditions, with specific technological requirements.

On the this moment there are several types of screwdrivers, which is determined by the necessary correspondence between the slotted part of the screwdriver and the slot on the screw (screw, self-tapping screw). Therefore, it is important to immediately clarify this issue.

spline types

Dimensions

It must be remembered that each shape of the slot has its own standard sizes. When working with fasteners, it is very important to use the right screwdriver in shape and size. This will preserve the slot of the screw, prolong the life of the screwdriver, ensure fast and high-quality work, and most importantly, prevent possible injuries. Precisely made working part of a screwdriver is one of the components of its quality.

Screwdriver rod

Highly great importance also have the properties and quality of the material from which the screwdriver shaft is made, how it is heat-treated ("hardened"). A soft screwdriver slot will collapse (curl), and a too hard one (“overheated”) will break (“burst”) even with normal effort during operation. A little more about the screwdriver shaft: usually the shaft is made round section, but there are screwdrivers on which a hexagonal or square rod is used to increase the torque, or a special hexagonal thickening is made at the base of the handle. You can work with such a screwdriver, helping with a key to increase torque. They are sometimes called "strength".

Screwdriver handle

The main purpose of the screwdriver handle is to transmit torque to the working part. The shape, size and material of the handle can be very different and are determined not only by design requirements, but also individual features user (ergonomic requirements). So, someone has a wide palm with short fingers, while someone has a narrow one with long ones, while different handles are needed: longer or shorter, larger diameter or smaller. Handle material can be very different: wood, plastic, rubber. And here you need individual choice: the tree is good, but not strong enough, but not everyone likes rubber - the hand sweats, although the grip of this handle is complete.

The ergonomic shape provides for the transmission of high torque a zone of large radius at the end of the handle with a wide round "nape" without sharp edges, and closer to the rod - a narrow section ("waist"). It allows you to quickly twist the tool with your fingers.

The shape of the handle can be very different - the main requirement for it is a secure grip - so that the hand does not slip with the necessary effort. And further. The end of the handle must be well-finished, smooth, so as not to rub the palm during intensive work.

In addition, for most "round" models, a couple of edges are specially ground off so that the screwdriver does not roll off inclined planes. The "holes" towards the end of the handle are hanging holes (this makes it easier to store the tool).

The most common handles are plastic, but they are very different. As a rule, handles are made of powdered and molded plastics. The first - more solid, but fragile - are afraid of blows, falls; the second - more elastic, but softer - this is easy to verify with the help of any cutting tool. First by appearance more glossy, shiny; the second ones are matte, dull, slightly "soapy" to the touch (however, this does not interfere with work with a good shape of the handle, "according to the hand").

Many manufacturers now produce screwdrivers with combined handles: two-component, three-component. Polypropylene, elastomers, rubber are used in this case. Such handles are the most functional: they are durable and do not collapse even with the maximum applied force, provide a secure grip of the tool by hand, and are pleasant to the touch.

For hard-to-reach places short screwdrivers(short shaft, short handle) "barrel" type, extra-long screwdrivers, where the length of the shaft is much greater than the length of the handle. Convenient: I crawled with a long sting through all the protrusions and holes of the structure and twisted the "boring and inconvenient" screw! And, of course, you can not miss the so-called "T" handles, made for screwdrivers designed to work in difficult conditions, "heavy duty", capable of realizing the maximum force at the point of application.

Flat screwdriver

Let's take a closer look at the types of screwdrivers and start our review with a regular flathead screwdriver. Screwdrivers with a flat, straight slot (sting) will exist for a very long time, as long as fasteners with a straight slot are produced. Their main parameter - the size of the sting, is determined by two numbers, for example: 0.5x4 - this is a sting 0.5 mm thick and 4 mm wide.

There should be a screwdriver for each size of the head and slot of the fastener. So, if the diameter of the fastener head is 6 mm, and the width of the slot is 0.8 mm, then the tip of the screwdriver should be no more than 6 mm and no less than 5 mm wide, and its thickness should be at least 0.7 mm. This will ensure the convenience and quality of work, guarantee the reliability of fastening, maintaining the integrity of the slot and the screwdriver itself.

In addition, there were flat screwdrivers with notches applied on the planes of the sting, which increases the friction between the screwdriver and the slot of the fastener; screwdrivers of all types with a diamond coating of the working part; with hard-alloy working part; with a magnetized working part for holding fasteners (made of ordinary steel).

Phillips screwdriver

Initially, the shape of the cross slot was quite complex, because in addition to the "cross" itself, it had a cylindrical recess in its center (approximately 2 mm in diameter and about 3 mm deep) - the shape of the screwdriver corresponded to it. However, practice has shown that this guide on a screwdriver is not technically and economically justified, and the guide was abandoned, leaving just a "cross".

What is the revolutionary nature of the "cross"? It allows you to securely fix the screwdriver in the slot, does not "slip off" and when correct work almost completely eliminates the possibility of damage, "failure" of the slot - the occurrence of burrs, violations of the anti-corrosion coating of fasteners. The area of ​​working contact between the surfaces of the "cross" and the screwdriver is almost twice as large as with a straight slot.

Philips type screwdrivers are referred to as PH. Below is a table that indicates the limits of the use of Phillips screwdrivers in accordance with the dimensions of the fasteners:

The length of the screwdriver shaft of the same part number may be different for various kinds works. In everyday life, medium sizes are mainly used. When repairing cell phones, short screwdrivers can be used.

Phillips screwdriver Pozidriv

Pozidriv (Pozidrayv) is a registered trademark. It designates a class of screws and Phillips screwdrivers. The Pozidriv is an improved version of the Phillips cross slot. Unlike Phillips screws, the deep edges of the side surfaces of the Pozidriv tip do not thin out, but run parallel to each other.

hallmark Pozidriv screws from Philips screws are coming from internal corners Pozidrive screw heads thin radial lines.

Pozidriv screwdrivers have the same edges between the main lugs of the cross and are marked PZ. In addition, they also indicate the size in ascending order (for example, in ascending order - PZ 000, PZ 00, PZ 0, PZ 1, PZ 2, PZ 3, etc.).

Screwdrivers Torx (asterisk)

Screwdrivers of this form are of particular interest to cell phone repairmen. Almost all modern phone models use screws with a slot in the form of a six-pointed asterisk. Screws and screws of similar shape are also found in computer components, for example, in hard drives. This form is called TORX and was developed by the American company Camcar. People not familiar with this name usually use the words star or star. Developers new form screwdrivers wanted to create a tool that is more reliable in operation, superior in all respects to standard straight and Phillips screwdrivers for mass use in assembly shops.

In addition to assembling cell phones, the TORX system is used in the automotive industry, bicycle construction, computers, and consumer electronics.

To indicate the dimensions of the system TORX capital letter is used T followed by a number. For example, T5, T6, T10 and so on (than more number, topics larger size screwdrivers). T3, T4, T5, T6, T7 sizes are commonly used for cell phone repair.

Camcar later developed an improved version TORX Plus. There is also a Tamper-Resistant TORX version (Torx TR for short) that has a protrusion in the center that prevents the use of standard TORX screwdrivers, as well as straight and Phillips screwdrivers.

There is also an external version of TORX, which we will not consider.

electric screwdriver

AT recent times electric screwdrivers are gaining more and more popularity. The indisputable convenience of cordless tools should be noted - they are autonomous, do not require a mains connection, extension cords, adapters, etc., they are electrically safe when working outdoors, even at high humidity.

Screwdrivers - perhaps the most right tool necessary for every person. 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 specific one depends on your needs. It can be a Phillips, flat (slotted), asterisk, triangular, hex, precision screwdriver, or a cell phone.

Phillips screwdriver (designation ph, abbreviated by Philips). This is the most commonly used type. There are several sizes of the cross. The smallest one has number No. 000, slightly larger than No. 00, No. 0, No. 1, cross No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4. The tip is usually magnetic for ease of use. A screwdriver marked 000 is used, for example, to repair very small items, such as cell phones, cameras. The cross is suitable for most self-tapping screws, screws (you need to choose the correct number of the cross), most often the cross number 2 is used. , large equipment applied cross number 3.4.

Phillips screwdrivers

For yellow (yellow-passivated) self-tapping screws, a cross marked PZ is suitable. It differs from the usual cross in the presence of additional notches for a tighter grip of the tip of the screwdriver with the self-tapping screw. It also has several sizes of the cross. Judging by experience, yellow self-tapping screws can be twisted and simple Phillips screwdriver(ph), no problem, it's not necessary to look for a PZ connector.

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

impact screwdriver necessary for unscrewing very tightly tightened or stuck screws, screws. The principle of its operation is as follows: point a screwdriver at the screw, then hit the handle with a hammer, at the moment of impact it spins. The twisting force is very strong. A set with a screwdriver, as a rule, has interchangeable nozzles, both Phillips and flat. Their dimensions are quite large, since such a screwdriver is used when working with large structures and details. After all, you will not knock with a hammer to disassemble the kettle.

If you twist screws and screws quite often and a lot, then it would be appropriate to purchase a cordless screwdriver, it is quite convenient. For example, to build computers. Self-tapping screws cannot be twisted with a screwdriver, only threaded connections. For self-tapping screws you need a screwdriver ( cordless drill). The tightening force for a screwdriver is much lower, about 4.5 Nm / m (newtons per meter), for a screwdriver at least 10, for professional ones about 30 and above, of course, you can turn very small self-tapping screws (up to 20 mm long and no more than 3 mm in diameter), but it will drain the battery quickly.

There are also quite specific types of screwdrivers. For example, to repair cell phones.

Cell phone screwdriver set

Usually sold in sets. It is completed with several types of different screwdrivers: flat (slotted), cross, asterisks, two-pronged. There are sizes very small and large. Watch screwdrivers, also come in sets, are equipped with several varieties, a magnet for the convenience of lifting small parts.

Screwdrivers are often sold in sets,

Screwdriver Set

convenient enough, you never know what you need. There are screwdrivers with interchangeable heads. At the end of this there is a special connector into which various nozzles (bits) are inserted, they are sold separately or in sets. Bit sets very often contain very rare and specific species. If you cannot find the screwdriver you need individually, then you will very likely find it in a set of bits.

Set of specific bits

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

It is worth noting dielectric screwdrivers. Unlike conventional ones, the working length is covered with a dielectric material. If the part is energized, you will not be shocked. Withstand voltage of 1000 V.

Dielectric screwdriver

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

The function of the ratchet and reverse of the screwdriver. Very useful when long work, helps not to intercept constantly, you just need to rotate the brush without releasing the screwdriver handle. You can both twist and unscrew the screws.

Many screwdrivers have a rubberized handle to keep your hand from slipping. There are also oil-benzo resistant handles. These are resistant to aggressive environments such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene. Ordinary handles in such an environment “corrode”.

What is the correct way to use a screwdriver? The main thing is to choose exactly the type that is necessary for a particular screw, bolt, self-tapping screw. If the screw connector is Phillips, then do not tighten it with a flat screwdriver. If you are tightening a furniture self-tapping screw (confirmate), then you need a screwdriver with a hex tip (4mm in size). It is important that the tip of the screwdriver sits very tightly in the head of the screw. Then it will not turn and you will not turn off either the self-tapping screw or the tip of the screwdriver. If the screw is rusted, then you can use the special. means, let the rust soften, only then unscrew it. Otherwise, you will turn the head of the screw, then you have to drill.

Screwdrivers

Shops "PROFI" offer a wide range of tools for repairing cell phones, equipment and household appliances.

Available wide range of most for various purposes: screwdrivers, cable cutters, crimping tools, pliers, pliers, tweezers and more.

You can find out more about the full range of tools in our online store:

History of screwdrivers

First, a little history. It is difficult to say when and where the first propeller appeared. The first mention of screws dates back to the 16th century; it can be assumed that screwdrivers appeared at about the same time. Initially, the shape of the screw head was a rectangle or square. Do not forget that everything was made by hand forging. However, this shape limited the possibility of a strong tightening of the screw, especially in hard-to-reach places.

Then the hex wrench was invented, resulting in a wrench with six settings over a 360° range. Socket wrenches appeared, providing vertical access to the screw head and the possibility of conveniently tightening it with the application of any necessary force.

And, one day, a thought flashed through a person: “Why, in fact, is the key necessary? Why is it not possible to cut a groove in the head and work with the screw using a rod with a flat end? - so the slot appeared, and after it the screwdriver! Why the tool was called a screwdriver, and not a “wrapper” (after all, the screw is first wrapped) remained a mystery.

slots

Many years passed, many slots were “torn off” and screwdrivers were broken before users received a tool that is so necessary in everyday life and production. The design of the screwdriver - the length and diameter of the rod, the shape and dimensions of the handle - began to provide convenient and high-quality work in specific conditions, with specific technological requirements.

At the moment, there are several types of screwdrivers, which is determined by the necessary correspondence between the slotted part of the screwdriver and the slot on the screw (screw, self-tapping screw). Therefore, it is important to immediately clarify this issue.

spline types

Dimensions

It must be remembered that each shape of the slot has its own standard sizes. When working with fasteners, it is very important to use the right screwdriver in shape and size. This will preserve the slot of the screw, extend the life of the screwdriver, ensure fast and high-quality work, and most importantly, prevent possible injuries. Precisely made working part of a screwdriver is one of the components of its quality.

Screwdriver rod

The properties and quality of the material from which the screwdriver shaft is made, as well as how it is heat-treated (“hardened”), are also very important. The soft slot of the screwdriver will collapse (curl), and too hard (“overheated”) will break (“burst”) even with normal effort during operation. A little more about the screwdriver shaft: usually the rod is made with a round section, but there are screwdrivers on which a hexagonal or square rod is used to increase the torque, or a special hexagonal thickening is made at the base of the handle. You can work with such a screwdriver, helping with a key to increase torque. They are sometimes called "strength".

Screwdriver handle

The main purpose of the screwdriver handle is to transmit torque to the working part. The shape, size and material of the handle can be very different and are determined not only by design requirements, but also by the individual characteristics of the user (ergonomic requirements). So, someone has a wide palm with short fingers, while someone has a narrow one with long ones, while different handles are needed: longer or shorter, larger diameter or smaller. Handle material can be very different: wood, plastic, rubber. And here an individual choice is needed: the tree is good, but not strong enough, but not everyone likes rubber - the hand sweats, although the grip of this handle is complete.

The ergonomic shape provides for the transmission of high torque a zone of large radius at the end of the handle with a wide round "nape" without sharp edges, and closer to the rod - a narrow section ("waist"). It allows you to quickly twist the tool with your fingers.

The shape of the handle can be very different - the main requirement for it is a secure grip - so that the hand does not slip with the necessary effort. And further. The end of the handle must be well-finished, smooth, so as not to rub the palm during intensive work.

In addition, for most "round" models, a couple of edges are specially ground off so that the screwdriver does not roll off inclined planes. The "holes" towards the end of the handle are hanging holes (this makes it easier to store the tool).

The most common handles are plastic, but they are very different. As a rule, handles are made of powdered and molded plastics. The first - more solid, but fragile - are afraid of blows, falls; the second - more elastic, but softer - this is easy to verify with the help of any cutting tool. The first in appearance are more glossy, shiny; the second ones are dull, dull, slightly “soapy” to the touch (however, this does not interfere with work with a good shape of the handle, “on the hand”).

Many manufacturers now produce screwdrivers with combined handles: two-component, three-component. Polypropylene, elastomers, rubber are used in this case. Such handles are the most functional: they are durable and do not collapse even with the maximum applied force, provide a secure grip of the tool by hand, and are pleasant to the touch.

For hard-to-reach places, short screwdrivers (a shortened rod, a shortened handle) of the “barrel” type are made, super-long screwdrivers, where the length of the rod is much greater than the length of the handle. Convenient: I crawled with a long sting through all the protrusions and holes of the structure and twisted the “boring and inconvenient” screw! And, of course, you can't miss the so-called "T" handles, made for heavy duty screwdrivers, capable of realizing maximum force at the point of application.

Let's take a closer look at the types of screwdrivers and start our review with a regular flathead screwdriver. Screwdrivers with a flat, straight slot (sting) will exist for a very long time, as long as fasteners with a straight slot are produced. Their main parameter - the size of the sting, is determined by two numbers, for example: 0.5x4 - this is a sting 0.5 mm thick and 4 mm wide.

There should be a screwdriver for each size of the head and slot of the fastener. So, if the diameter of the fastener head is 6 mm, and the width of the slot is 0.8 mm, then the tip of the screwdriver should be no more than 6 mm and no less than 5 mm wide, and its thickness should be at least 0.7 mm. This will ensure the convenience and quality of work, guarantee the reliability of fastening, maintaining the integrity of the slot and the screwdriver itself.

In addition, there were flat screwdrivers with notches applied on the planes of the sting, which increases the friction between the screwdriver and the slot of the fastener; screwdrivers of all types with a diamond coating of the working part; with hard-alloy working part; with a magnetized working part for holding fasteners (made of ordinary steel).

In a chain of stores "PROFI" we can buy straight screwdrivers for every taste. We invite you to familiarize yourself with some of them.

Phillips screwdriver

Initially, the shape of the cross slot was quite complex, because in addition to the “cross” itself, it had a cylindrical recess in its center (approximately 2 mm in diameter and about 3 mm deep) - the shape of the screwdriver corresponded to it. However, practice has shown that this guide on a screwdriver is not technically and economically justified, and the guide was abandoned, leaving just a “cross”.

What is the revolutionary character of the "cross"? It allows you to securely fix the screwdriver in the slot, does not “slip off” and, with proper operation, almost completely eliminates the possibility of damage, “breakdown” of the slot - the occurrence of burrs, violations of the anti-corrosion coating of fasteners. The area of ​​working contact between the surfaces of the "cross" and the screwdriver is almost twice as large as with a straight slot.

Philips type screwdrivers are referred to as PH. Below is a table that indicates the limits of the use of Phillips screwdrivers in accordance with the dimensions of the fasteners:

The length of the screwdriver shaft of the same number may be different for different types of work. In everyday life, medium sizes are mainly used. When repairing cell phones, short screwdrivers can be used.

Phillips screwdriver Pozidriv

Pozidriv is a registered trademark. It designates a class of screws and Phillips screwdrivers. The Pozidriv is an improved version of the Phillips cross slot. Unlike Phillips screws, the deep edges of the side surfaces of the Pozidriv tip do not thin out, but run parallel to each other.

The distinguishing feature of Pozidriv screws from Philips screws is the thin radial lines emanating from the inner corners of the Pozidrive screw head.

Pozidriv screwdrivers have the same edges between the main lugs of the cross and are marked PZ. In addition, they also indicate the size in ascending order (for example, in ascending order - PZ 000, PZ 00, PZ 0, PZ 1, PZ 2, PZ 3, etc.).

Screwdrivers Torx (asterisk)

Screwdrivers of this form are of particular interest to cell phone repairmen. Almost all modern phone models use screws with a slot in the form of a six-pointed asterisk. Screws and screws of similar shape are also found in computer components, for example, in hard drives. This form is called TORX and was developed by the American company Camcar. People not familiar with this name usually use the words star or star. The developers of the new screwdriver shape wanted to create a more reliable tool that outperforms standard straight and Phillips screwdrivers in all respects for mass use in assembly shops.

In addition to assembling cell phones, the TORX system is used in the automotive industry, bicycle construction, computers, and consumer electronics.

To indicate the dimensions of the system TORX capital letter is used T followed by a number. For example, T5, T6, T10 and so on (the larger the number, the larger the screwdriver). T3, T4, T5, T6, T7 sizes are commonly used for cell phone repair.

Camcar later developed an improved version TORX Plus. There is also a Tamper-Resistant TORX version (Torx TR for short) that has a protrusion in the center that prevents the use of standard TORX screwdrivers, as well as straight and Phillips screwdrivers.

There is also an external version of TORX, which we will not consider. Phillips screwdriver (Pozidrive) WIHA PicoFinish

Pentalobe screwdrivers

More recently, Apple has begun to use new screws in its products, which are called. The screws have a non-standard head. To work with these screws, you need to have special screwdriver with five divergent petals. Apple wants to limit unqualified access to its products in this way: iPhone 4, iPad, MacBook Pro.

The first iPhone 4s had standard-head screws on the back, but after a while pentalobe screws took their place. Now, if the owner contacts an official service center for iPhone 4 service, the device is returned with pentalobe screws, even if the cover was previously fastened with standard screws.

Screwdriver sets

electric screwdriver

Recently, electric screwdrivers (screw guns) are gaining more and more popularity. The indisputable convenience of cordless tools should be noted - they are autonomous, do not require a mains connection, extension cords, adapters, etc., they are electrically safe when working outdoors, even at high humidity.