![]() Generally speaking, the increased control and torque that larger handles afford translates into better driving performance and less likelihood of a stripped screw head. You can buy beautifully-made reproductions of the Yankee, a tool from the analog era that’s worth investing in. On the left is a Craftsman V series screwdriver and on the right is a decades-old Yankee screwdriver (with a handle 1-1/4 inches in diameter!). Its increased surface area also promotes a better grip. All of this improves your grip and in so doing provides for more consistent torque.Ī large-diameter handle helps provide you with more screw-turning torque and more control as you tighten or loosen. Look for screwdrivers with large-diameter handles, tri-lobe handles and cushioned handles with features such as soft rubber, non-slip surfaces inset into the handle. If your hand slips or you have trouble applying torque, you’ll almost certainly strip that screw head.Īs basic as it sounds, reliably turning a screwdriver starts with a good grip. Roy Berendsohn Problem 4: Difficulty Handling the ScrewdriverĮven if you can reach a screw, have a properly sized screwdriver or a bit that accurately matches the screw, none of this will do you any good at all if you can’t comfortably, powerfully, and consistently apply torque. The tool is handy for reaching into appliances and deep electrical boxes and for fitting through the holes in mounting hardware for window shades and blinds. 2 Phillips and the other is a 1/4-inch slotted. The shaft can be withdrawn entirely, and switched end for end. By pushing the collet forward or pulling it back you can slide the screwdriver shaft forward to lengthen it or shorten it by retracting it into the handle. The Klein 32751 has a spring-loaded collet at the end of its handle. Its shaft is adjustable, enabling the user to change the screwdriver’s length from 4 inches to 8 inches. We’ve used the Klein 32751 for several years. When people struggle to reach a screw, they tend to mangle the screw head once they manage to get in contact with it.Ĭonsider buying a small selection of screwdrivers with longer shafts, or a single tool with an adjustable shaft. The GearWrench 89620 was a recent Tool Award winner. This prevents over tightening but also undertightening, since you can feel free to tighten the fastener all the way up to the point that the tool disengages. These tools disengage when the foot pound limit to which they have been set is reached. Roy Berendsohnįinally, where a specification exists as to how tight to make a screw, buy a torque screwdriver. Apply firm downward pressure and twist the handle as you do so. When driving screws horizontally, try the dagger grip, a common hand hold used on screwdrivers, chisels, awls, and nut drivers. It can help to stop, and readjust your hand position. Tightening even several screws by hand can be tiring. ![]() Also, having a large selection to choose from also distributes the wear and tear over many bits and makes it more likely you can quickly swap out a bit that’s worn down Likewise, a damaged bit that is chipped or severely worn will rotate inside the recess in the screwhead, stripping it.īuy a high-quality set of bits to ensure that you are more likely to have the size you need, and rotate out bits as they are worn or damaged. ![]() If you’re trying to make do with the wrong size bit, you’ll almost certainly strip the screw head because a bit that’s undersized or oversized relative to the fastener will not turn it properly. Using the Wrong Insert Bit or Using a Damaged Bit With a methodical approach, we can almost guarantee that you’ll never wreck another screw head when tightening or loosening the fastener. There are several easy solutions to keep you from mangling screw heads. Note: If the screw head is already stripped, have a look at our stripped-screw removal tutorial. Let’s tackle each one of these problems, and then have a look at some of our favorite problem-solving screwdrivers. The screw is stuck and is not turning or turns only with difficulty.They ruin the screw because they’re having trouble handling the screwdriver. ![]() They mangle the screw head because they have trouble reaching the screw.They’re using the wrong insert bit or the wrong type of screwdriver.I see at least five reasons that people strip screws: ![]() I think people have a tougher time with this tool than they let on. Right? Judging by the number of stripped screw heads I find, I’m not so sure about that. Screwdrivers are among the simplest hand tools and everybody knows how to use one. ![]()
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