25 Different Types of Screwdrivers Explained [Uses & PDF]

In this article, we will discuss what are the different types of screwdrivers that are used in almost every industry.

You can also download the PDF file of this article at the end.

Screwdriver and Types

What is Screwdriver?

A screwdriver is used for tightening or loosening the screw. A round rod with a flat end, having a handle at the other end, is called a screwdriver. The length of a screwdriver is measured, excluding the handle. The length of a screwdriver varies from 50 millimeters i.e., 2” to 18”.

One of the greatest tool inventions ever made is the screwdriver. Screwdrivers were reportedly created in the 15th century, and as we moved into the 21st century, you could find them in almost every toolbox.

If you’ve ever been to a hardware store, you’ve probably seen hundreds of screwdrivers in a variety of designs, sizes, and other characteristics. Actually, the type of screwdriver you use depends entirely on the type of recess or screw drive you use.

I assume you were confused between a screwdriver and a screw drive, though? Just keep reading, and all of your confusion will be resolved.

A screwdriver has three main parts, as shown in the figure.

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Parts of Screwdriver

The following are the main parts of a screwdriver:

1. Handle
2. Shank
3. Blade

#1 Handle

Handle, generally wooden or plastic handles, are fixed to the screwdrivers. 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.

On the upper part, either there is a hole through which a wire is passed, or this end is made flat so that when this part is fixed to handle, it does not allow the shank to move separately. These are generally made of carbon steel.

#3 Blade

The blade is the lower part of the shank. It is also known as a tip. This part is hardened and tempered.

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The Function of Various Types of Screwdrivers

The purpose of a screwdriver is to both insert and remove screws and nuts. If you want to replace a watch’s battery, you won’t use the same screwdriver you use to hang a shelf on a wall. The different functional screwdriver design types are described below.

1. Manual Screwdriver: It has a thick handle and a cylindrical rod, making up its most typical design. The working end of the rod is inserted into the screw heads for which it is designed.
2. Powered Screwdriver: This screwdriver is powered by electricity or a battery. Power drills with flat or Phillip’s heads are frequently used along with multi-bit screwdrivers.
3. Ratchet Screwdriver: Ratcheting screwdrivers feature an internal ball-bearing mechanism that makes turning the screw simple and repetitive. You can do this without taking out the screw’s driver head.
4. Magnetic Screwdriver: It is a standard screwdriver with a practical feature: The screws are held in place by a magnetized tip, making it simpler to install or remove the screws.
5. Yankee Screwdriver: Instead of using ball bearings, this screwdriver uses a spring-loaded mechanism. Instead of twisting the screw with your wrist, you place the screw head against the screw and push it to tighten.

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Types of Screwdrivers

Following are the types of screwdrivers, which are described below:

1. Flat Head
2. Philips
3. Torx
4. Robertson screwdriver or square screwdriver
5. Pozidriv
6. Hex screwdriver or hexagonal screwdriver
7. Offset
8. Watchmaker
9. Clutch head
10. Frearson
11. Tri-point
12. Tri-angle
13. Tri-wing
14. Carpenter
15. Bolster
16. Multipurpose screwdriver
17. Special types of screwdrivers
    1. Electrical
    2. Torque
    3. Corded
    4. Cordless
    5. Magnetic
    6. Jeweler’s
    7. Battery
    8. Ratchet

#1 Flat Head Screwdriver

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. Flathead screwdrivers have a handle of wood or plastic fixed to them.

According to needs, there are light-duty screwdrivers and heavy-duty screwdrivers. They have a flat tip. Although it can be powered or manually operated, the ‘cam-out effect’ of the slotted head makes power operation less common.

The “cam-out effect” is a process by which the screwdriver tends to come away from the screw head’s surface when the torque applied to the surface of the screw exceeds a certain limit or occasionally due to lack of centering, which typically results in damage to the screw head or screwdriver tip.

Keystone and cabinet are the two categories that they fall under based on their intended use. Keystone screwdrivers have a slightly wider shaft tip than cabinet types, making them more suitable for uses like woodworking and other related tasks, whereas cabinet types are used for jewelry making, watchmaking, and other related tasks.

#2 Philips Screwdriver

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 a T cross-shaped groove at their heads. These screws are available in varying numbers and measurements.

Henry Phillips created these screwdrivers in the 19th century with the intention of introducing power-driven screwdrivers in the majority of industries. The tip of these screwdrivers resembles a cross when viewed from the front.

These screwdrivers also exhibit cam-out behavior, but only when the torque is excessively tightening the screw; this prevents damage to the screw and screwdriver profile and clearly increases the tool’s lifespan.

#3 Torx Screwdriver

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.

A Torx screwdriver has a low radial force due to the spherical geometry of the lobes, which improves the life of the screw and the screwdriver bit. Unlike Philips or Pozidriv screwdrivers, even on power devices with high driving speeds, too much torque can be transferred with no chance of equipment slipping, which makes it safer to use.

Torx-type screwdrivers come in various sizes and use a numbering system such as T8, T10, T15, T25, etc. to determine the tip size. As the number increases, the tooltip size increases.

4. Robertson or Square Screwdriver

The square screwdriver is also known as the Robertson screwdriver. A Canadian invented this screwdriver. The 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.

A slight taper shape in front of the tool provides good locking with screws and hence makes it more suitable for use. These types of screwdrivers were first used by the Ford Motor Company for industrial purposes, as these drivers speed up production, reduce losses, and are highly reliable.

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#5 Pozidriv Screwdriver

Unlike the Phillips screwdriver, the pozidriv screwdriver has two cross marks that are offset at an angle of 45 degrees. These are widely used in European countries.

This shape does not completely overcome the cam-out effect but gives better resistance to slipping and provides more stability than the Phillip screwdriver. So, it is used for use that requires huge torque for tightening the screw.

#6 Hex or Hexagonal Screwdriver

It has six straight portions like a hexagon. These are often used to fasten bolts instead of screws. You may be seen these bits in your toolbox to tighten or lose hex bolts, nuts, and screws.

There is no sliding or cam-out effect when driving it, so the most powerful driver tools can be fitted with hex arranging bits, and thus, it produces faster and with less error.

#7 Offset Screwdriver

The Offset screwdrivers also have a flat blade. But no handle is used in these screwdrivers. Their shank is turned at 90 angles at both ends, and bits are made on both ends. In cases of narrow or slanting spaces, where an ordinary flat screwdriver cannot work, this offset screwdriver is used. It is shown in the figure.

#8 Watchmaker Screwdriver

Watchmaker screwdrivers are available in sets. In a set there are six screwdrivers, having number markings from 0 to 5. The smaller the number of the screwdriver, the smaller and thinner it bit. In place of the handle, a cap is fixed to the shank.

The cap is fixed to the shank so that both cap and the shank can be moved independently. For tightening or loosening a screw, the tip is placed at the head of the screw, and the cap is pressed with one finger, while the other finger shank is rotated.

A watchmaker screwdriver can be used in all kinds of instruments and watches. In appearance, it looks as shown in the figure.

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#9 Clutch Head Screwdriver

These types of screwdrivers are used throughout the automobile industry and are commonly used in older GM vehicles. The clutch head screwdriver is also known as a bow-tie driver. These drivers are used to work screws that have a bow-tie-shaped slot.

The clutch screwdriver begins with higher torque and can resist greater turning force. But, this type of screw can also be tight and loose slotted drivers. There is another safe way that it can be screwed by a slotted driver but not loosened.

#10 Frearson Screwdriver

The tip of these types of screwdrivers is provided with a sharp point, unlike Philip Driver, which has bluntly rounded points. In addition, the tip angle is more like 45 degrees than the Phillip drivers. This driver is used on nautical equipment.

The Frearson driver, also known as Reed or Prince, is similar to the Philippe screwdriver in design, with some changes. The different shape allows the driver to take out higher torque than the Phillips and to operate on Frearson screws of all sizes as well as a large number of Phillip screws.

#11 Tri-point Screwdriver

These types of screwdrivers are very familiar in the electronic industry, and tech giants such as Nintendo and Apple apply them to their phones, gaming systems, and other devices.

The tri-point driver makes a tip with three blades set at an angle of 120 degrees, which is Y-shaped. So, It is also known as a 3-prong or Y-tip driver. Tri-point drivers also have safety issues only that come with tri-angle driver compatibility with hex drivers.

#12 Tri-angle Screwdriver

These types of screwdrivers were mostly used in the toy, electronics, and appliance industries and were added to improve safety. But, a hex screwdriver can also hold TA screws, so many DIY kits do not have tri-angle drivers.

It is also known as a three-angle screwdriver. It has a triangle-shaped tip for slotting on the screw head with a triangle shape.

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#13 Tri-wing Screwdriver

The tip of the tri-wing drivers resembles that of some pinwheels and is used to operate on screws that have triangular sockets with three wing sizes. Because these screws have such different slots, it is difficult to remove them without a tri-wing driver.

Tri-wing screwdrivers are costly and not easily available like other drivers. These drivers were previously manufactured for use in aerospace engineering, but now you can easily find them in home electronics.

#14 Carpenter Screwdriver

The carpenter screwdriver is made of a round rod and a flat tip. Its handle is flat on two sides (as shown in the figure). This enables the worker to exert full force or screwdriver.

#15 Bolster Screwdriver

The bolster screwdriver has a type of nut, which is welded to the top of the shaft under the handle. If a screw is tightened on a surface, you can loosen it by applying additional torque by turning the welded nut with the help of a wrench. The bolster screwdriver can withstand maximum pressure loads in any condition.

#16 Multipurpose Screwdriver

The multipurpose screwdriver has a shank with a hexagonal hole at the end where it can fit a variety of drivers on both sides, with drivers or depending on the use of the set. Because they offer more versatility and economy of space, they are a very common toolset among those with only basic requirements.

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17. Special Types of Screwdrivers

Many of screwdrivers also come with changes to their handles and shanks. The optional design helps to eject more torque and offer enough clearance.

Following are the some of special types of screwdrivers:

1. Electrical Type

These types of screwdrivers are charged by electricity, meaning you do not need to use your muscles to exert torque. It can work a screw easily and quickly, especially for those with a broken head. Therefore, it is also known as power screwdrivers or screw guns.

2. Torque Type

It is generally known for its application on cars, but the thing that pressure requires equipment. This type of screwdrivers can offer highly specific uses, including everything from military repairs to aircraft.

3. Corded Type

This type of screwdrivers comes with an electric cord. But, they are not very common as they need to be transported to a nearby power source. Still, they provide a constant power supply and are highly efficient.

4. Cordless Type

This type of screwdriver is provided with a rechargeable battery which means that they come with the advantages of both electrical and battery-powered screwdrivers.

Accidentally, this makes them heavier and as the battery charge decreases, they also lose torque.

5. Magnetic Type

It has a magnetic tip holds the screw, allowing you to insert the screw in or out with just one hand. More and more manual screwdrivers are now being manufactured with magnetic tips.

6. Jeweller’s Type

They are precision instruments that employ small screws on pocket watches and eyeglasses. It is also known as a watch or eyeglass driver. They are usually Philips and flathead screwdrivers.

7. Battery Type

This type of screwdriver is operated with small batteries, which means they come in a compact design. Although it is not as powerful as other screwdrivers, it can easily fit into your toolbox.

8. Ratchet Type

In these types of screwdrivers, a spring or ratchet is fitted to the handle. There is a button on its handle. When this button is pressed, the shank of the ratchet screw starts revolving through the spring.

When the button is left free, the shank returns to its original position. With its help, screws can be quickly tightened or loosened.

Conclusion

As you know, A typical simple screwdriver has a handle and shaft that the user attaches to the screw head before turning the handle for tightening or loosening screws. If you want to buy a screwdriver, just checkout out the image resources.

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So now, we hope that we have cleared all your doubts about the screwdrivers. If you still have any doubts about the “Types of Screwdrivers” you can contact us or ask in the comments.

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