A screwdriver is a metal rod with a polymer or wooden handle, the tip of which is made in a certain shape. Metal from high-strength steels or hard alloy is used. Poor quality materials lead to the impossibility of using the tool for its intended purpose, like with common Chinese screwdrivers that fold under the action of force.
The diameter of the handle plays a role, standard size which ranges from 10 to 45 mm, but deviations are allowed in specialized screwdrivers. When calculating the indicator, the dependence of the torque force on the diameter of the handle is taken into account. Fine workmanship allows thin handles. The tips of the rod are selected depending on the depth and shape of the hole, the surface material.
Key parts of a screwdriver
The principle of operation of the tool follows from the type of construction, the dimensions and shape of the screwdriver are important:
- length rod is a parameter for choosing a screwdriver for future work, an increase in the indicator contributes to accessibility for working at a greater depth, in hard-to-reach areas, the length does not allow the rod to be correctly deployed to perform a torque;
- slot or the tip is a working part located at the end of the rod, and serves to align with the slots on the screw head; for modern self-tapping screws, the risks on the head are indicated in the form of a cross;
- lever serves to ensure comfort when performing a rotational movement, its side surfaces have a different shape.
The principle of operation with a screwdriver consists in the initial introduction of a slot into the slots of the screw, clockwise movement ensures that the hardware is screwed in to a depth, respectively, counterclockwise - unscrewing from the part. Eat tool with additional features that are activated by a button.
Types of screwdrivers
The tool is subdivided depending on the slot at the end of the rod, while standard marking is indicated next to the name of the form.
Slotted screwdriver marked SL (slotted)
Screwdriver flat (or "straight"), with a working part in the form of a blade, used for screws and screws with one slot on the head. During manufacture, additional groove parameters (depth, length and thickness) are indicated if a flat screwdriver is intended for individual works with specific hardware.
Slotted tip is used for screwing simple fasteners in the electrical industry, work is done by inserting a screwdriver into a slot by applying a twisting force to opposite sides of the slot. The disadvantage of the splined tip is the lack of centering, since the blade breaks out of the screw slot with increasing force.
Phillips screwdriver marked PH (Phillips)
The tip of the rod is made in the form of a cone, on the sides of which there are 4 edges for fastening parts with hardware with slots in the form of a cross on the cap. The screw profile is designed with two slots arranged at right angles to one another.
This option is more convenient compared to the slotted flat tip, as more points of application of force are involved, which contributes to a strong grip of working surfaces and edges. The twisting force is applied along the cruciform edges, the twisting process is less labor intensive. The application of forces in a limited narrow part leads to premature wear of the slot or slots in the cap of the hardware.
Sometimes meet Phillips PZ (Pozidrive) with guides representing cross faces combined at an angle of 45º, this allows you to tightly insert the slot into the mounting hole of the appropriate shape. The additional cross protrusion is narrow, has a smaller depth than the main bulge. There is a hole in the middle that serves to increase the pressure force, but its presence is rather fictitious, since it has little effect on the operation.
Hexagonal screwdriver marked H (HEX)
Such a tool is easy to identify by the tip in the form of a hexagon. Compared to the cross model, screwing requires application of force is 10 times less. Phillips screwdrivers are produced in three variations, although they all have the same functionality:
- internal type, when the bulge is located inside the tip, is used to work with screws equipped with a corresponding cavity, it is characterized by the arrangement of 6 faces at an angle, is characterized by frequent violation of the integrity of the fastener head due to the high concentration of force;
- external type with a rim protruding from the outside, the edges of which are located at an angle of 120º to neighboring ones, used to work with protruding screw heads, sometimes used instead wrench;
- the anti-vibration type features a slot in the end of the bit that exactly matches the shape of the projection on the head of the screw, providing permanent stability and protection against displacement.
Square shape with Square Head designation, Robertson
The characteristic features are:
- square section of the tip;
- the faces are located in relation to the adjacent sides at an angle of 90º;
- opposite faces are parallel;
- a small plane of contact between the working surfaces does not make it possible to apply great effort.
For our country, the use of such a square head is uncharacteristic, there is no tip in Europe, it is considered a standard tool for America, it is used in the restoration vintage models auto; likewise triangular screwdriver used in aircraft construction.
Torx socket with TORX designation
The product is distinguished by six-pointed edges located at the end of the tip, which is able to increase the rotational force compared to other forms of heads. It is used for fine work without damaging the splined tip and the integrity of the screw head. Reduced radial forces allow the tool to work without slipping and extend the life of the screwdriver.
As an option, screwdrivers are produced with the designation TORX PLUS, their difference is in the shape of the petals, which are made flattened: this indicates a reinforced version for special fasteners in precision work. If we talk about protection against vibration, then in the middle of the tip at the end there is a hole, which must coincide with the protrusion on the cap of a specific hardware when landing.
Areas of use for professional screwdrivers
The tool is equipped with additional kits to perform operations depending on the requirements for screwdrivers and types of work.
Area of electrical work
It is mainly used to fasten bolts on equipment, detect hidden live wires, and the tool equipped with electric shock protection:
- screwdrivers with a dielectric braid allow you to work under voltage, while the insulation can withstand up to 1 thousand volts, the handles of such models are painted red;
- probes and testers are equipped with a device for finding working and hidden wiring in the wall and the presence of current in a socket or other electrical equipment;
- indicators give a signal about the available voltage by glowing; for visual perception, the tool has a transparent case.
Operation in difficult and hard-to-reach places
Some models have features to make it easier to work in inaccessible ordinary instrument places. Apply flexible shank screwdrivers, inside which is reinforced frame, spring base or magnetic bit, use different sizes of screwdrivers.
If it is difficult to unscrew due to corrosion, use reinforced models, capable of withstanding the impact forces of a chisel or hammer to remove rust. The tool is made of metal, when the hammer strikes, the slot rotates at a certain angle.
Continuous unscrewing of fasteners requires reusable movements of the same type, for these works they take Reversible or ratchet screwdrivers. The device consists of a rotating tip and a rod, which rotate due to a special “ratchet” of reverse rotation. The handle remains stationary in the hand and fixes the number of laps. A large volume of bolts or screws is not terrible for a cordless screwdriver, which is a small compact screwdriver.
When working with various types bolts and screws, a change of screwdrivers is required due to the need to use slotted flat, cross-shaped or other tips. They take combined models, where they insert into the handle replaceable bits, the permutation is carried out by turning the rod. Another option is removable slotted tips held in place by a magnet.
The handles of the screwdrivers are rubber-coated, notches or bulges are provided to reduce slipping at high efforts. To maintain the installation of the additional lever, use a tool with t-top handle. Modified models with special handles are designed to increase the power of the rotary action, while the mechanism is started using a button or switch on the handle.
specialized screwdrivers
Types of rods
The rods are installed in various modifications to increase functionality. They are produced in non-standard sizes in length - elongated and shortened, the same deviations apply to the handles, which allows you to position the tool for rotation in difficult places. Most commonly used in combination screwdrivers and models with a flexible shaft.
Universal rods combined type found in combined versions or in ratchet screwdrivers. If the screwdriver has faceted rod, then it is used to increase the leverage, namely another improvised tool, for example, pliers.
Strengths and weaknesses of the tool
The use of professional screwdrivers leads to faster work, reducing the load on human hands. Some models handle tight and rusty screws that simple flat types cannot. With the help of professional screwdrivers, electrical work is carried out in conditions where it is impossible to de-energize the network.
The problematic sides include shortcomings that complicate the work. For example, if a screwdriver contains a little additional features, then it will operate without breakdowns long time, and vice versa . Cordless screwdrivers require continuous power from replaceable batteries. Ratchets are afraid of dust, so it is problematic to use them on construction sites and in other dusty areas.
Impact screwdrivers are unaesthetic due to the metal case, ergonomic models are almost never produced in the tool industry. For probes and LED screwdrivers, the indicator lights burn out, which translates the tool into a number of ordinary ones. If the screwdriver has an audible indication, then power supplies are required, and the completion of the charge occurs unexpectedly and requires interruption of work. There are no complaints about the models with reverse, they rarely fail, the dielectric coating works without problems.
Screwdriver Selection Methods
To determine the type of tool, study the work tasks and the type of fastener to work with. The quality of a screwdriver is shown by the following parameters indicated on the body and in technical documents:
- strength is affixed to the body, choose an indicator in the range of 45–50 units for purchase. Lower values indicate the likelihood of bending in the work, higher ones indicate the likelihood of cracking;
- production material preferably selected from an alloy of vanadium and chromium (Cr-V);
- V configuration a rubber coating should be provided for tenacity in the hand, and removable bits should be bought with a magnetic coating so that small fasteners are not lost;
- on the body must be present marking on compliance with GOST 17199–1988 (for Russian manufacturers).
The screwdriver must be properly operated, used for certain purposes, only in this case the tool will last a long time.
The screwdriver has been used as a tool since ancient times. And even today it is impossible to imagine a single branch of industry and economy, where this simple but useful metalwork tool would not apply in typical situations.
The screwdriver belongs to hand-held metalwork tools, and is used to unscrew and screw fasteners, primarily threaded and equipped with a slot. That is, mainly - for working with screws and screws.
The main parts of a screwdriver - this is a metal rod with a tip and a handle, a handle that can be plastic, wooden, or metal with rubber pads. Thus, in the very simple form, a screwdriver is just a metal rod, equipped with a tip for securely fixing the tool in the slot, as well as a handle that is comfortable to hold in your hand when using this simple tool, and which does not slip. Most self-respecting men always have in their household at least one screwdriver, or a fairly serious set of them.
The handle of a typical screwdriver has a diameter of 10 to 40 mm, depending on the size of the screwdriver itself and on the specific scope of its application. How larger diameter handle, the more torque can be transmitted to the spline, so the wider the spline, the wider, as a rule, the handle. To work with small details small screwdrivers are designed, with small narrow handles, so as not to accidentally break the slot or thread.
Large screwdrivers are used to work with large screws and screws, and sometimes, in addition to just a thick handle, they have a special hole on it, where an additional rod is inserted, serving as a lever, and allowing to increase the torque.
As for the tips, for high-quality screwdrivers they are made of special wear-resistant alloys, for example, molybdenum steels or chrome vanadium. This is necessary so that significant mechanical stresses do not render the tool unusable ahead of time, that is, to extend the life of the screwdriver.
Depending on the type of slot of the screw head or screw, screwdrivers are equipped with different types of tips, mainly - straight (slotted) or cruciform, are the two most popular types of tips of the most common screwdrivers used at all times. There are other types of tips, and we will talk about them further.
The most simple, it is historically the first type of slotted screwdriver, and has been used since the 16th century.
The next type of tip is cruciform, it was invented in 1933 by the American John Thompson, who proposed screws that would fix the tip of a screwdriver in the center of the head and push it out when the screw is tightened. This type of bit is called "Phillips" today because Henry Phillips, the enterprising engineer who founded the Phillips Screw Company, immediately bought Thompson's patent, and in 1937 introduced Phillips-tip screw and screwdriver technology to Cadillacs and later, during World War II. , such screws began to be used in the creation of military equipment.
This is an improved Phillips tip, which was patented in 1966 by the same Phillips Screw Company. Unlike the first option, this slot is not self-ejecting; it has a large landing depth, it is used with screws with large heads and when working with self-tapping screws.
In addition to the standard cross tip, sharp rays are added at the edges, which additionally fix the fastener and allow even more torque to be transmitted. Thanks to the slots "Pozidriv", furniture manufacturing, construction industry, and many others, began to have more reliable fasteners.
Allows even more torque. This type of tip was developed in 1936 by the German company Innensechskantschraube Bauer & Schaurte. Another name for such a tip is “INBUS”, in everyday life “inbus key”. The head of the fastener has a hexagon shape, and the force is up to 10 times greater than with a cruciform solution. In addition, the screwdriver does not slip out of the recess.
This is a six-pronged star slot. The use of screws for this type of tip is widespread in the production of various electronic equipment, household appliances, and also in mechanical engineering. This type of ferrule was developed in 1967 by Textron for the purpose of driving fasteners with increased strength, and with significant tightening torque.
Today there are also special tips used for screws and screws for special purposes. For example, huge tightening torque may be required when small size heads, or just aesthetically beautiful view. Special types of tips and consider next.
It was patented by the Phillips Screw Company in 1958 when a wide-body aircraft required a slot that did not require axial pressure during the tightening process. Today, such screwdrivers are sold freely, and Tri-Wing screws are used, for example, in NOKIA proprietary chargers with disassembly protection.
It was registered with Tri-Wing, the same company. Screws with this type of slot are used only in the aircraft industry, however, screwdrivers for it are freely sold today.
One-way splines are found on screws in in public places where vandalism is prevented in this way. The slot is one-sided, and the tip of the screwdriver allows only its twisting, screwing in and tightening. It will be impossible to unscrew the element with a screwdriver; you will have to weld a key or drill a more convenient slot for a simpler, more convenient screwdriver.
They are used where both aesthetics and protection against vandalism are important, for example in civil elevators. Along with these types of tips and slots, there are slotted flat tips with a slot. The functionality is similar. Often screws for such screwdrivers are used in household appliances, which does not allow the intervention of amateurs.
Unlike conventional Torx, the tip of the screwdriver for this slot has a hole in the center.
Of course, regardless of the type of tip, regardless of the type of slot for which this or that screwdriver is intended, the sizes here may be different. For straight handpieces this is the width and depth, for others it is the diameter of the screw. For Torx - standardized number, etc.
Over time, the screwdriver has undergone a number of improvements. For example, very convenient ratchet screwdrivers, the so-called "ratchet". Thanks to this solution, working with a screwdriver becomes more comfortable. There is no need to intercept the handle, since in one direction the rod passes freely without effort, returning the hand without the need to unclench it or re-insert the tip of the screwdriver into the slot. You can simply work with one hand, and the direction of the free return of the rod is adjusted with a special lever or clutch.
popular tip sets. The screwdriver in them is a rod with a handle, at the end of which, instead of a tip, a bit holder is installed in the form of a clip, or a square or hexagonal tip. The kit comes with a set of bits (replaceable tips) of different types and sizes. As a result, we have one screwdriver and a set of tips for it - compact and practical.
As a rule, the screwdriver shaft has a length of 10 to 20 cm, but sometimes a longer length is required for hard-to-reach places, and sometimes, on the contrary, a smaller one. This is where variable length screwdrivers come in handy. Usually this is a retractable rod that is immersed in the handle and securely fixed in a more comfortable position by a special mechanism.
The screwdriver shaft does not have to be round, it can be both square and hexagonal, which allows you to rotate the screwdriver not only with your hand, but also with a wrench, which will allow you to achieve more significant torque.
If the working conditions are related to electric voltage near working area, or the fasteners themselves are under dangerous voltage, then you should choose a screwdriver with a dielectric coating on the shaft and with a handle protection. Such screwdrivers are marked, which reflects the voltage level against which protection is guaranteed.
When the screw slot is dirty, you have to knock on the screwdriver. Not every screwdriver will withstand this. Therefore there is special screwdrivers with a heel on the handle for hammer blows. In such screwdrivers, the metal rod passes completely through the handle, and at the end has an extension in the form of a heel.
To work with precision instruments, where it is required to tighten the adjusting resistor, set up a small adjustable capacitor, adjust the inductance of the inductor by moving the core, use screwdrivers made entirely of ceramic or plastic to avoid distortion in .
Screwdrivers and electrification did not bypass. Today on the market you can find electric screwdrivers, such as screwdrivers, pneumatic screwdrivers, drills - all these are progressive solutions that make plumbing work easier.
screwdriver is indispensable tool every self-respecting owner. It is in almost every home, and it is not necessary to be a specialist or a master to be able to use it. People began to use this tool extensively back in the 18th century, and since then the screwdriver has undergone significant evolutionary changes. In addition to the fact that new types of splines have appeared, the handles have also been changed, which are able to reach the target even in hard-to-reach places.
Key points
Like several centuries ago, a screwdriver consists of three main elements: a handle, a shaft and a tip. The handle of all screwdrivers is almost the same, the main properties that it should have are: ease of holding in the hand, strength of the material and necessarily the obstruction of electricity. As for the rod, it can be of different lengths, depending on the inaccessibility of the fastener, which must be screwed in or unscrewed. The tip has many variations, depending on the type of fastener to which the tool will be applied. There are the following types of tips:
Markings
Each nozzle has its own marking, which is applied to the tool in the form of a Latin letter or a combination of several letters and numbers. So, tips have the following designations:
- Flat - SL (Slotted). It is marked with numbers indicating the length of the tip 1-10 mm.
- Cruciform - PH (Phillips). They have the following numbers indicating the diameter of the tip: 000 (1.5 mm), 00 (1.9 mm), 0 (2 mm), 1 (2-3 mm), 2 (3-5 mm), 3 (up to 7 mm), 4 (from 7.1 mm).
- Cross improved - PZ (Pozidriy) PX (Phillips Square-Driv and Philips Quadrex).
- Six-pointed - TORX. Designated by the letters E4-E44.
- Hexagonal - HEX (Hexagonal).
- Square - Robertson.
- Triangular - Tri-Wing.
When determining which type of tool to use, the size of the fastener must also be considered.
Some types of special tips for screwdrivers have an empty circular recess in the middle of the slots, such screwdrivers are called “anti-vandal”, as they have a narrow range of applications and not every person has in their arsenal of tools.
Varieties of handles
Screwdriver handles have also undergone considerable changes during the evolution of household and professional tools. They have become more comfortable, stronger and stronger. And some added complex elements with rotary mechanisms. In addition to traditional types, there are also such:
Depending on the type of work, the inaccessibility of the fastener, as well as the type of fastener itself, Various types nozzles and sizes of screwdriver rods. From the miniature length of the rod, measured in millimeters, to the longest one, several tens of centimeters. From the usual flat nozzle to ratchet with hexagon tip. And there is also a screwdriver with a flexible shaft for penetrating into hard-to-reach places.
Non-standard applications
It happens that you need to twist something in hard to reach place where only the shaft of a screwdriver can fit. And there is no special tool at hand that can hold fastener. Then you have to go for such a trick as magnetizing the tip. Then the bolt or screw will be easy to keep on the tip, which will allow you to deliver it and tighten it anywhere. The following steps will show you how to magnetize a screwdriver at home:
- With the help of a magnet. A powerful magnet, preferably neodymium, is suitable for this. The stronger the magnet, the better the magnetizing effect. You can buy the necessary magnet in the market or in a hardware store. If at home there are old hard drives from a computer, you can use the magnets in it. For proper magnetization, it is necessary to clean the surface of the rod from contamination and dry the surface after processing. Then you need to take a magnet and run along the tool rod from the handle to the tip, you need to do this several times, then turn the tool a quarter of a turn and do the same with each side. You only need to move the magnet in one direction. If after the end of the procedure the tool is not able to hold fasteners, then the whole process must be repeated again. In case of repeated failure, it is worth replacing the magnet with a more powerful one. A tool made of good steel is capable of holding magnetic domains for up to several months. If the tool needs to be demagnetized, then the same procedure can be carried out, but in the direction from the tip to the handle, or by knocking the tool against the floor or wall, which will contribute to the destruction of magnetic domains.
- With the help of a battery. For this method, you will need an electric wire of a small section with a length of at least one meter and ends stripped on both sides. A 2.5 square wire with single insulation is best suited. The ends of the wire are cleaned, and the rest of the uncleaned part is wound on the screwdriver shaft, thus forming a kind of magnetic field. Then a battery or crown with a power of 6 to 9 volts (no less and no more) is taken, to which the stripped ends of the wire are connected. There is no difference where to connect the negative and positive contacts. It is important to know that it usually takes between half and one minute for a tool to become fully magnetized. After this time, the battery must be disconnected from the wires, the tool must be released and tested on the fastener. If the magnetization was unsuccessful, you can try to increase the number of skeins by placing them in two layers on top of each other. Increasing battery power can also help, but beware of damage. electric shock or sparks, so all manipulations should be carried out with dielectric gloves.
- There are also several options for magnetizing the instrument, which are more likely to be considered amateur. You can magnetize the tool with a silk scarf or synthetic rag. If you carefully rub the tip with a similar cloth for a long time, then for a certain period of time, the screwdriver will be able to hold a small bolt or screw. If there is nothing at hand to magnetize the tool, then you can use a hammer or a heavy wrench. To do this, it is necessary to position the tool with the tip towards the north and hit the tip for a long time. Thus, the magnetic domains line up in the direction magnetic field Earth.
During all manipulations, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules so that neither the human body nor the instrument itself is affected. When using a neodymium magnet, it should be remembered that it has a very powerful force of attraction and is able to pinch part of the skin. All actions must be carried out in special dielectric gloves.
Phillips screwdriver recovery
Since this type of screwdriver is the most common, and its slots do not have a sufficient area of contact with the walls of the fastener, it happens that over time the slots of the tool are erased, and it is no longer possible to achieve the desired effect. Then the question arises of how to restore the tool so that it serves as before.
Of course, it will not be possible to achieve the state in which the instrument was after the purchase, but with a little effort, you can achieve a tangible effect. Usually, the slots of a screwdriver are erased in such a way that only a thin continuation of the rod remains from them, which, resting against the bottom of the fastener, prevents the remaining slots from catching on the walls of the slots in the bolt or screw. In this case, the slots must be sharpened.
First you need to cut off the excess part of the rod until the beginning of the remaining slots. You can do this with a grinder. Then you can use the same angle grinder to cut new grooves that will serve as slot separators. This must be done carefully, with a tool firmly fixed in a vise, wearing a protective mask or goggles. Having cut the grooves a little with a grinder, then everything must be done with a triangular-shaped file with a medium coating.
The file is inserted into the ditch so that its lower corner is in the cut groove, and the wall is adjacent to the future slot. With translational movements, the file is driven forward and backward until it reaches required depth. Then you need to go to the next slot and repeat the procedure.
To check, you can use any self-tapping screw, if some side of the tip does not fully fit into the groove of the fastener, then this slot needs to be improved.
Almost every house has such a worker. universal tool like a screwdriver. Its versatility is ensured by a large number of tips that can be used for certain needs.
What are the types of screwdrivers, what features do they have and what are their sizes, we will consider below. Special attention we will devote to products of the cross type.
Features of flat and hex screwdrivers
Types such as hexagonal and flat tools are the most common. They are used for screws and self-tapping screws for which there are no special requirements. So, the characteristics of a flat screwdriver are as follows:
Flathead screwdrivers are one of the oldest that started be used for household purposes and are still widespread.
The description of the hexagon fixtures is as follows:
- Hex screwdrivers or inbuses are designed for fasteners with a hex slot.
- The most common type is the L-shaped bent rod, which has different sizes of hexagonal section.
- High torque, much higher than the torque on a Phillips screwdriver.
- Areas of application are the repair of electrical equipment and the unscrewing of fasteners in places that are energized.
- Hex screwdrivers are marked as HEX, similar to the less popular types of square-type screwdrivers.
If the tool tips have a section in the form of a six-pointed star, then they are marked as Torx. Fasteners with such a slot are used for repair mobile phones and other technology. Such devices are used exclusively in service centers for the repair of equipment and telephones.
Special types of screwdrivers
Special types of screwdrivers are used for self-tapping screws and screws that have special requirements, such as anti-twisting or maximum tightening torque in the head.
These types are mainly used For professional areas , in particular, mechanical engineering or the electrical industry. TO special types tools of this type include:
- Torx with a pin in the center.
- Torq-Set is an asymmetric cross-section device, which features a strong tightening of the screw. Designed for use exclusively in the aviation industry.
- Tri-Wing is a tool whose section has the shape of a trefoil. It is used in the field of aviation and when installing electronic devices.
- Spanner or two-prong screwdriver. It is used for installation of elevators, where anti-vandal protection is provided.
Also tools different type differ in size and handle material. Some of them are equipped with plastic handles, while others are rubber.
Phillips screwdrivers: description, dimensions and characteristics
Phillips screwdrivers are among the most popular, they are good because they fit under a large number of screws or self-tapping screws. These products are labeled cross and letters PH.
By the size of the cross and the number, you can determine the size of the product itself. The smallest cross tools are numbered 000 (by 1.5 mm), and they are used in the repair of cameras or mobile phones.
- 00 (1.5–1.9 mm);
- 0 (2 mm);
- 1 (2.1–3 mm);
- 2 (3.1–5 mm);
- 3 (5.1–7 mm);
- 4 (from 7.1 mm).
The most used model is the second size with a magnetic tip. A most big tool in size, the fourth, is used in the repair of cars or other overall equipment.
The marking also contains information about the thickness of the tool core. The higher the number, the thicker the rod will be. And the length of the rod is selected depending on the type of work. The smallest screwdrivers with short handles are needed for work in tight spaces, and long ones are used where access to the fastener is difficult.
To facilitate your future work with a Phillips screwdriver, you need choose it very carefully in terms of size. Watch carefully so that the size of its sting matches the slot of the self-tapping screw.
If they do not match, then you can damage either the material or the tool itself. In order not to miscalculate, it is better to take screwdrivers different sizes. The same masters always prefer to use sets for different needs.
What does PH, PZ and PX mean on Phillips screwdrivers
When buying a Phillips screwdriver, many people pay attention to the letter markings. What do they mean?
So, Ph marking, as already mentioned, designate all Phillips screwdrivers. The decoding of this mark is an abbreviation for Phillips, a company that has patents for Phillips screws and screwdrivers for them.
Modern modifications of screwdrivers marked as Ph have on the sting additional notches, which are fixed in the head of the screw more tightly, as a result of which the screwdriver does not jump out of the hands.
Marking Pz marked more advanced modifications screwdriver equipped with a cross-shaped sting. The full name is Pozidriv. Unlike the first type, this modification is equipped with additional beams, and the sting can be fixed even more securely in the fastener head.
Products of this type are used in such areas as:
- Furniture assembly.
- Installation of wooden products.
- Installation of drywall products.
- Installation of structures based on aluminum profiles.
But screwdrivers marked as PX are most modern and advanced models. The cross-shaped sting is small, blunt, designed to work with mobile phone fasteners.
There are also a number of other cruciform tools, which, like other figured products, are used much less frequently than others and have a professional purpose. Among them:
- Phillips Square Drive.
- Philips Quadrex.
Requirements for the quality of Phillips screwdrivers
When choosing a Phillips screwdriver, pay attention not only to whether it corresponds to a particular fastener, but also on product quality. Of course, it is not always possible to determine the quality of products “by eye”. In this case, at least look at the country of origin.
Japanese or European products will be much better than Chinese ones. But if you prefer domestic products, then see that they have GOST or RS marking which testify to their high quality.
Now let's move on to other quality indicators. For example, pay attention for rod strength products. According to the standards, the strength level of the screwdriver shaft should be from 47 to 52 units on the Rockwell scale, which should be marked on the tool itself.
If the indicator is below 47, then it is highly likely that the product will bend, and if it is above 52 units, then it may crack. It is also desirable that the rod be made on the basis of chrome vanadium alloy, such a rod is marked on the tool as Cr-V.
Of course, unscrupulous manufacturers can deliberately put false labels, so it’s better to purchase famous brand products.
The quality of the handle depends on the convenience of working with the tool. Better choice of products with magnetic coating on the sting, a rubber handle would also be an excellent choice.
Please note that models with rubber grips can not use at points of contact with chemicals. Try the product by touch, it should not overstrain the hand or slip out.
Screwdrivers are available for sale different prices. If you need quality products for occasional and non-intensive use, then pay attention to inexpensive models such brands:
- stayer.
- matrix.
If you need screwdrivers for production purposes, then it is better to choose professional more expensive models. Compared to the previous ones, they have a tip with higher strength and their service life is much longer.
Among similar models you can note the products of the Arsenal or Kraftool brands. There are also completely perfect "indestructible" models like Gedoro, but they are very expensive.
As you can see screwdrivers are different by types, sizes, scopes, price and other parameters. You can purchase them in a set or individually. And do right choice it's easier when you know how to choose the right one.
The appearance of a screwdriver construction tool, is associated with the 16th century at the time of the appearance of weapons. Their flat varieties have survived to our times. Today, in every home there is probably at least one screwdriver. There is no need to buy all their types, and in order to understand which version of the screwdriver you need, just familiarize yourself with existing varieties and their features.
You can’t do without such a tool when replacing a switch, socket, as well as during the repair of household appliances. Many will say that instead of a screwdriver it is better to purchase a screwdriver, however, a screwdriver is usually not used for minor repairs, since it is easier to get a screwdriver and tighten a couple of self-tapping screws and screws when replacing an outlet.
Device and principle of operation
The design of the screwdriver includes three main parts, which are shown in the figure:
- The handle of a screwdriver should be comfortable to use, but there are other functions of the handle related to indication and ergonomics. Different types of tools make it possible to choose a convenient design for working in different places. For example, the handle can be short or long, hexagonal, round and other section. The material of the handle can be wood, plastic or rubber, depending on the type and purpose of the tool. The handle is also made in the form of a pistol, or a T-shape.
- The rod makes it possible to choose a screwdriver for specific working conditions. The available depth of the hole in which the screw or self-tapping screw is located depends on the length of the rod. But in hard-to-reach and narrow places, too long a rod will not allow the tool to work correctly, in this case a long rod can be considered a disadvantage.
- The type of slot (blade) of the tip depends on the type of fastener to be screwed. The names of fasteners depend on the shape of the slot - screw, self-tapping screw, screw, etc. In the past, spatula-style slotted screwdrivers were the most popular, as the fasteners had a corresponding slot in the head. Currently, other types of slots are increasingly being used - cross, hexagonal, Torx, asterisk, etc. An important factor is the hardness and strength of the tip, the higher these parameters, the more durable the tool will be. To prevent the slot from slipping when screwing the fastener, a special coating is applied to it, which allows to increase the coefficient of friction.
The principle of operation of a screwdriver is based on its device.
Operating procedure
- Insert the slot into the risks of the self-tapping screw, screw or screw.
- Screw in the fastener clockwise.
- Unscrew - counterclockwise.
- There may be buttons on the handle to enable various additional functions.
Kinds
New types of screws and self-tapping screws with different notches on the head are increasingly appearing in the distribution network. Depending on this, the tool is also being improved, and new types appear. The screwdriver was no exception. Today there is a wide range of such tools. different design and forms. Many of them are used in relation to certain types of work. Consider screwdrivers, which are widespread and have gained great popularity in different types works.
According to the shape of the slot of the tip, the screwdrivers are divided into:
- flat, is marked SL. The names of this screwdriver may vary: straight, flat, straight slot, straight. The shape of the working tip is made in the form of a flat blade and is used to work with simple screw connections. This is the most popular type of slot in everyday life for fixing household utensils or electrical work. The disadvantage of flathead screwdrivers is the inability to center the tip, which often slips out of the screw head.
- cross, marked RN. It has a cross cone-shaped sting, the edges of which are included in the slot of the fastener of the corresponding shape. The grooves of the cross shape are located at an angle of 90 degrees to each other. This tool is used to connect various parts equipment, vehicles, etc. The mount is highly secure. The conical shape of the slot allows a significant increase in the bearing surface of contact with the head of the fastener, which is an advantage over a conventional flat screwdriver. The impact on the screw head occurs at four edges. The disadvantage is a high probability of damage to the screw splines, due to the impact on it in a narrow area.
- cruciform with guides, marked PZ. This slot profile is made in the form of two crosses, which are offset from each other by 45 degrees, for a tighter fit into the head of the fastener. This shape allows you to create additional reference faces. The additional cross is smaller in size than the main cross, and also has a smaller depth, which ensures the stability and stability of the tool in operation. Phillips screwdrivers with additional notches are used in the assembly of furniture and other responsible work. The disadvantage of this spline profile is similar to the conventional cross profile.
- Hexagonal(marking - HEX). This type of tool has a hexagonal tip surface, which allows much more rotational force to be applied to fasteners than cross-shaped tips. Such screwdrivers are most often used for electrical work.
There are three types of hex screwdrivers that differ in the shape of the tip:
- with an internal hexagonal protrusion that serves to fix screws with a corresponding head. Disadvantage - the head of the screw quickly becomes unusable due to high deformation;
- with external hexagonal ledge along the rim, used to fasten screws with non-recessed heads, sometimes used instead of a wrench;
— vibration-resistant, with a hole in the tip. This hole aligns with the corresponding protrusion on the head of the fastener, which makes the screwdriver stable when working in high vibration conditions.
- star-shaped(marking - TORX). It has the shape of a tip in the form of a six-pointed star, used to repair various types of devices. IN Lately this form of fasteners is gaining more and more popularity. The advantages of this type of tips are:
- the possibility of applying high torque, compared with other types;
- there is no slipping of the tip from the screw head, unlike classic flat screwdrivers;
- no damage to the slot of the screw head;
- increased tool life due to small radial forces, which is achieved by a special geometric shape of the slotted petals. There are different versions star tips: " Torx Plus" And " Torx", which serve for different fasteners. Outwardly, their shape is similar, but the difference is in the shape of the star petals - they are flattened for Torx Plus, and rounded for regular Torx. There is also vibration-proof versions of star-shaped tips of screwdrivers, in the center of which there is a hole for matching it with a screw pin of the same shape. This allows you to work in high vibration conditions.
- Square. The cross section of the tip slot is made in the form of a square, has four surfaces that are at an angle of 90 degrees to each other. The bearing surface through which the force is transmitted is small, so such a tool is not suitable for transmitting a large torque. In our country, such screwdrivers are not widely used, but in America they are very popular. This shape of the slot was previously common on the fastening screws in vintage cars.
There are also types of screwdrivers that differ in their purpose for certain working conditions. They are equipped with special devices.
Screwdriver with flexible shaft
In tight working conditions, this device is very convenient. It is used in furniture assembly work and in other hard-to-reach places.
Universal screwdriver
This tool allows you to install different tips on the rod, which can be stored both inside the handle and in a separate case, depending on the version and the manufacturer.
Dielectric screwdriver
This screwdriver is used for electrical work on electrical equipment that is under voltage dangerous to humans. The handle and shaft of such a tool are coated with a special insulating material, designed for a certain allowable voltage value. Most often, this value is indicated on the handle.
Ratchet screwdriver
With such a ratchet device, the tool shaft can only rotate in one direction. This allows the screw to be removed without removing the tool from its head. By means of a special lever the direction of rotation can be changed.
Rechargeable
Such an electric screwdriver is similar in design. But there are differences:
- Weight.
- Device.
- Power.
The significantly lower power of this tool is fully justified, since it is not used for drilling holes and fastening powerful screws and screws in especially durable materials, such as oak. This makes it possible to use a compact battery and a small electric motor. Therefore, the dimensions and weight of the tool are small.
The included electric screwdriver may also have several different tips for inserting them into the chuck.
Marking
To determine the purpose and type of screwdrivers, you should be able to understand their markings. The table shows the most common lug splines and their designations. Phillips screwdrivers with different crosses have their own correspondence table, which indicates the dimensions of the fasteners and the tools to which they can be applied.
The following table shows the dependence of the diameter of the rods and their length on the tool number.
There is another dependence - the diameter of the external thread of the screws on the tool number:
You can also notice that some types of screwdrivers contain both letters and numbers in the designation. For example, PH 4 x 120, where PH stands for a straight screwdriver, 4 is the tool number, indicating the diameter of the screw, 120 is the length of the shaft. The marking may include data on the material of the working part of the tool.
