Screwdrivers

What to look for in a screwdriver?
Always buy the best quality that you can afford, cheep n' nasty rubbish will not only fail but it will leave you with damaged screw heads that are bloody hard to undo! :nonod:

Here's a quality set made by Sidchrome

They have a number of great features such as a "tang through" design

The shaft (tang) of the screwdriver extends all the way through the handle and has an anvil at the top of the handle. This is so you can strike the end of the screwdriver the seat the tip better into a damaged screw or to help loosen the stuck screw. The shock of the impact goes directly to the screw instead of some of it being absorbed by the handle. Saves the handle too!
They also feature a square shaft section.

To which you can apply extra torque with a spanner, for those stubborn screws.
The handles of the screwdriver are a comfortable fit to the hand and a good have a good grip.

Here's a a pair of screwdrivers that have a spring loaded mechanism to hold screws onto the tip. Good to assist in locating and starting the screw in those awkward to get at places.

The phillips head screw driver (top) has a screw loaded into it.
Just below the handle there it a thumb button on a spring loaded slide that holds the screw whilst you start it.
Once the screw has started to thread you remove this screwdriver and complete tightening with a conventional screwdriver.

ahhh, more porn...

Here's a comprehensive set that features flatblade, phillips head and pozidrive screwdrivers, it also features stubby screwdrivers for use when a long handled screwdriver cant be used due to an obstruction.


If you don't mind spending a few quid you can't go past Stahlwille for quality.


Now a lot of people mistake pozidrive screws for phillips head screws and use a phillips head screwdriver on a pozidrive screw. Here's the difference.

O the left side is the phillips head screw and driver tip and on the right is the pozidrive screw and driver. You should notice the head on the pozidrive screw has tiny additional slots these correspond with the small additional blade on the tip of the pozidrive screwdriver. Those extra slots and blades help center and grip the screw.
Now you my well think it wont matter if you use a phillips head screwdriver on a pozidrive screw but the problem is the nearest size phillips head driver isn't a good fit in the pozidrive screw and you risk chewing the head out.
So look close next time your working on the car and you'll see it's full of pozidrive screws and use the right tool for the job.
The most common sizes of pozidrive screwdriver that you'll need is #2 & #1 those two sizes would probably cover 80% of pozidrive screws you'll encounter.

Yet another very informative thread, thank you.

As for tool porn, my fix used to be heels but I have to admit I've not bought a pair since I got my MGF, long nose pliers? yes, ball joint separator? yes, torque wrench? yes but fabulous daaling shoes? No.

I am turning into a geezerbird...

:coat:

Mr. Snappy does a lovely one of those :yesnod:
pink too, for the ladies..

Thanks Dave, my next addition to this thread was to be about these but you beat me to it.
I will add that these are great for carrying in the car for emergency repairs as they don't take up much space.
But like a lot of multipurpose/multifunction tools they are a compromise and can be found wanting in some applications.
I carry one of these Kincrome ratchet bit screwdrivers in the MG.

All the bits and an extension store in the handle, handy as they don't get lost rolling about in the car.

really? wrote: Mr. Snappy does a lovely one of those :yesnod:
pink too, for the ladies..

Fab, they need to be in pink for us girls otherwise they don't work properly. It's like left v right handed. Why have tool manufacturers not worked this out yet? :dry:

Here is an impact screwdriver set.

These are used on seriously tight screws, they work by striking the anvil on the handle with a hammer. There is a mechanism inside that converts the impact to torque to loosen stubborn fasteners.

Once the screw has been shocked loose a conventional screwdriver is used to continue to undo the screw.