A screwdriver can feel like an extension of your fingers while you are utilize it. However, there is situations when a screwdriver will fail to function as an extension of your fingers. If the bit of the screwdriver slip on the screw, then that screwdriver will strip the screw head.
This will turn a five-minute task into a thirty-minute task as you will have to drill out of the stripped screw. People will think that they are using the wrong technique with the screwdriver bit or the screw itself is the problem. However, it is more likely that the screwdriver bit is the problem.
Once you understand the different types of screwdriver bits and their functionality, you can change the way that you work with screwdrivers. You will be able to stop fighting with your screwdrivers when you understand how they work and instead start to choose the correct tool for the job. The differences between screwdriver bits are not just limited to the visual differences between the bits within their plastic cases.
Each screwdriver bit was invented to solve a certain problem. These problem can range from the need for high torque when assembling products on the assembly lines to the need for tamper resistance in consumer electronics to the need to lower the costs of manufacturing the products. Using the correct bit for your screw will keep your screws tight, will protect the screw heads for later use, and will also protect your wrists from any unnecesary strain.
The list of screwdriver bits that you will encounter in your work is provided in this article. The bits are listed from the most common bits to more specialized screwdriver bits that you will encounter in situations that you did not expect them to be encountered. The most common screwdriver bit is the slotted bit.
Common Types Of Screwdriver Bits To Know
1. Slotted Bits
This type of bit is the original screwdriver bit and is used in some of the most common products. Products that contain slotted bits range from antique furniture to electrical products to household products. The slotted bit is the simplest bit design and is easy to manufacture.
However, because of its simplicity, the slotted bit is one of the easiest bits to cam out of the screw heads. Using a slotted bit can result in a jagged screw head. Slotted bits are best used in situations where a lot of downward pressure is placed into the screw with the screwdriver.
However, slotted bits are not the best bits for situations that require high torque. Despite the issues that is associated with slotted bits, they are one of the best bits for turning the old brass screws that are still present in many items today. Phillips bits were created as a solution to the problems that resulted from the slippage of bits while they were in use in screw heads.
2. Phillips Bits
The cross-shaped Phillips bit allow the screwdriver bit to remain centered on the screw head. Additionally, the cross-shaped bit offers four driving surfaces for the screwdriver bit as compared to only two driving surfaces for the slotted screw. Phillips bits were a major innovation in the assembly of early cars.
Today, people use Phillips bits in a variety of products, from furniture to light fixtures. The Phillips bits come in sizes ranging from a number zero to a number four. Using the wrong size of Phillips bit will quickly strip the screw head.
When properly installed, the Phillips bit should fit within the screw head and experience a slight resistance when attempting to turn the screw. If the Phillips bit feels as if it is riding up and out of the screw head, then you should stop using the screwdriver and use the proper size Phillips bit. The Pozidriv bit may look the same as a Phillips bit.
3. Pozidriv Bits
However, the Pozidriv bit have an extra set of slots that are cut at a forty-five degree angle to the main cross-shaped recess of the Pozidriv bit. This added design to the Pozidriv bit allow the bit to handle significantly more torque before the bit begins to slip out of the screw. Pozidriv bits are used in European-made products, electrical products, and deck screws.
Using a Phillips bit in a Pozidriv screw will work for a short period of time before the corners of the screw head begin to round off. Additionally, the Pozidriv bit will not work properly in a Phillips screw as it will only engage with the outer part of the recess in the screw head. Pozidriv bits will slip when they are used on a Phillips screw.
Once you own both types of bits, you will be able to recognize the differences within your hand in just a few seconds. The Torx bit changed the world of screwdriver bits when they were first introduced in the 1960s. The six-pointed star-shaped bit allows for the transfer of exceptional amounts of torque to the screw while also making it nearly impossible for the bit to slip out of the screw head. The companies that use Torx bits say that they are difficult to duplicate, which means that it is difficult for people to unscrew the products that use Torx bits.
4. Torx Bits
Torx bits are used in laptop computers, the interiors of the automobiles, and hardware for decks. The sizes of the Torx bits range from a T5 to a T60 or even larger sizes. Each size of the Torx bit is used for a specific purpose.
The T25 and the T20 bits are used for most tasks that a person will encounter when attempting to do repairs on common items. Additionally, because the bit features a star shape, the screw head tends to last longer with the use of Torx bits. The other type of bits that is sometimes referred to as Allen bits are called hex bits.
5. Hex Bits
The hex bit use a different geometry from the other bits. This type of bit inserts into the screw and is male while the screw head is female. The geometry of the screw is excellent when you are trying to use a lot of torque in a small amount of space.
Therefore, the hex bit is often used on bicycle components, furniture, and machinery. Additionally, the hex bit is inexpensive and will not strip as easily as the other bits when the correct size of the bit is used. However, the main problem with the hex bit is if the screw is located in a deep recess or if it is necessary for the screw to be driven at an angle.
To solve this problem, there are ball-end Allen bits that will allow for driving of the screw at an angle. However, the ball-end Allen bit will sacrifice some of the torque that can be placed into the screw with the flat-end Allen bit. Square drive bits are also sometimes referred to as Robertson bits.
6. Square Drive Bits
A man named Robertson invented this bit in Canada. This bit is encountered by many people when they use deck screws or use machinery in Canada. The square bit allow for exceptional amounts of torque to be delivered to the screw head.
Additionally, the screw head features a recess in the same shape that allows the bit to easily center itself. This bit will not slip as easily as a slotted bit or a Phillips bit. The screw will often stick to the bit when it is inserted into the screw head.
This allows people to use one hand to operate the screwdriver while using the other hand to hold the object in place. This bit is helpful for people who must work on the objects in the air or in tight spaces. However, this bit is not as common in the United States as it is in Canada.
Therefore, people may have to order these bits in specific quantities for the objects that they own. Security bits are used to protect the products from being opened without authorization. An example of a security bit is a Torx security bit.
7. Security Bits
A Torx security bit features a small hole in the center of the bit that aligns with a post that is within the screw head. Examples of products that use security bits include gaming consoles, kitchen appliances, and public infrastructure. Other bits include the tri-wing bit, the spanner bit, and the clutch head bit.
These bits may frustrate the average person in the homeowners category. However, they have a specific use and function within the products in which they are used. People who work in the electronics repair category or those who work in the facilities maintenance category will find that purchasing a set of security bits will pay for itself quickly.
Other individuals may only need a single set of security bits to handle the most common types of products. In addition to the bits that are described in the above category, there are also a few other bits that are used for specific uses. The clutch head bit will allow people to turn the old automotive screws that other bits will not be able to grip.
The tri-point bit will allow people to open the certain Nintendo devices and other game hardware. The SPD bit allows people to screw into the tamper-resistant screws that are used on bathroom stalls and public transit systems. Most people will not need these bits.
However, the day that a person encounters a screw that requires one of these bits without having that bit will result in frustration. To avoid this type of frustration, it is a good idea to purchase a comprehensive bit kit that includes all of these specialized bits. While there are many types of screwdriver bits available for purchase, the real skill that a person should have is not in the ownership of these bits.
Rather, the skill that individuals should have is the knowledge of which type of bit is required for each screw. By looking at the screw head, individuals will be able to understand which bit is required and select that bit appropriately. If a person finds that the screwhead is stripping while they are attempting to work with it, regardless of how hard they are attempting to turn the screw, it is likely that the problem is the bit that they are using.
Instead of applying more downward pressure on the screw, individuals should use the correct bit for that screw. By taking the time to properly organize your bits and by replacing them whenever they show signs of wear, you will find that even the most challenging tasks become pleasant challenges. For these reasons, having the right bits will not only save a person time and effort but also will provide them with the feeling of competence that is worth the additional cost of the best screwdriver bits kit.
