Every home should have a screwdriver. Of course, there is no need to acquire all the varieties, but which ones are needed for the house is very easy to understand. Such a tool is necessary for replacing an outlet or switch, repairing an apartment and household appliances. Of course, you can buy a screwdriver, but for minor repairs it is completely useless. The simplest and most inexpensive alternative can be dispensed with. In this article we will look at the existing types of screwdrivers and their purpose, marking, as well as photo examples.
Content:
- Design features
- Overview of varieties
- Screwdriver marking
Design features
The screwdriver consists of three parts: a tip, a shaft and a handle. Ferrule types depend on which fastener is to be screwed in. Their names depend on the shape of the tip. The fastener can be a screw, wood screw, or self-tapping screw. Previously, devices with a straight slot were in great demand, but now the use of cross devices has become more popular.
What are the splines? There are different types of splines. Popular types are the star-shaped and hexagonal element. It is very important that the handpiece is strong and firm. And for better retention, it is treated with a special spraying, which has a high coefficient of friction.
Varieties of tools allow you to choose a convenient option for working in different places. So the screwdriver can be with a long or short handle, with a square or hexagonal section. The handle can be plastic or wooden and is usually cylindrical in shape. But they are also found in the form of the letter "T" or pistol look.
Overview of varieties
So what kind of screwdrivers are there? Since new types of bolts have appeared on the construction market, the types of tools have also expanded. Today there is a large selection of products of various shapes and designs. Most of them are used only in conjunction with certain technologies.
The following types of screwdrivers are considered the most popular in consumption:
- Flat (designated as SL). It is also called straight-handed. The sting looks like a spatula and such a plane is needed to work with the simplest connections using screws. Such a device is considered the most popular in household work, such as fixing shelves or minor electric installation work.
- Cross (designated as PH). This screwdriver has a cone-shaped tip. Its four edges fit into a cross-recessed slot. These types of products are used to connect certain equipment or cars, as well as to securely fasten the screw. Since such a screwdriver has a conical shape, the tip will come into contact with the screw twice as much.
- Hexagonal (denoted as HEX). These types of products have the shape of a working surface like a hexagon. The torque of such a device will be ten times the reading of a Phillips screwdriver. This type of tool is used during work related to the repair of electrical equipment.
- Star-shaped (referred to as TORX). It has the shape of a working surface like a six-pointed star. It is used in the repair of minor types of equipment, such as a cell phone.
- Cruciform with notches (referred to as PZ). This type of screwdriver design has not only a cross-shaped profile, but also has minor additional edges. It is used when assembling furniture, as it fits more tightly into the fasteners.
There are also types of products that are used only in certain conditions, since they are equipped with special devices. Such products include:
- Ratchet screwdriver. Thanks to this mechanism, the rod can rotate freely in one direction. This allows you to work without removing the tip from the slot. The direction of rotation is changed using a special lever.
- Dielectric. Used when working with equipment that is energized. In this case, the product is covered with a special insulating coating. This insulation is designed for the specified voltage limits. This is indicated on the handle in the marking.
- Universal. Allows the use of multiple handpieces per handle. They are stored either in a separate case or inside the handle.
- With flexible shaft. The gear transmission is also called. In cramped conditions, such a device will be indispensable, which is clearly shown in the photo:
Screwdriver marking
To find out what these tools are and what their purpose is, you need to know the decoding of the screwdriver markings.
This table contains all the most popular tip shapes and their markings:
For example, a cruciform (PH and PZ) has a special correspondence table, which indicates the tools and the sizes of fasteners to which they fit. The table below shows the dependence of the length and diameter of the rod on the number of the screwdriver:
There is also another dependency that you should be aware of:
It should also be noted that some types of screwdrivers may contain not only letters, but also numbers in the marking. For example, PH 4 * 120, here PH - this means that it is straight; 4 is a number that indicates the diameter of the fastener; 120 - product length. In addition, the marking may contain information about the metal that is used in the manufacture of the working part.
In the photo below you can see the markings on the rod:
Finally, we recommend watching a useful video on the topic:
So we examined the main types of screwdrivers and their purpose, as well as the scope and marking. We hope the information provided was useful and interesting for you!
We also recommend reading:
- Electrician Tools List
- Top Power Tool Manufacturers
- How to make an electrician's knife with your own hands
