Screwdrivers are standard garage items in every household and are convenient for working on home and professional repairs. However, choosing the right one for the job can be hard as there are hundreds of different types of screwdrivers to drive the multiple screw heads available. Do you need a Torx, flathead, Phillips, or a torque screwdriver for greater precision? We’ll discuss the most commonly used screwdrivers to understand and learn which suits you the most.

What’s A Screwdriver? 

No matter the purpose, most objects built hold pieces together. Well, this is why screws are essential tools in the manufacturing industry. They feature a great holding power and strength and can be removed easily, which makes them capable of helping manufacture a wide range of items. Because of this, screwdrivers also became such an important tool.

They can be both manual or powered and feature a handle, a shaft, and a tip or blade shaped to match the screwdriver to the head of the fastener. As there are many variations, screwdrivers are classified by the tip assembled to fit the wide variety and sizes of screws. Here’s a list of 5 of the most common types of screwdrivers.

5 Common Types Of Screwdrivers

Flat Head 

If you’ve ever bought a screwdriver, it was probably a flat head. They feature a wedge-shaped flat tip that is similar to a chisel. This chisel-shaped head fits into the line running through the diameter of the fastener head, which is why so many people use it as nail pullers, just beware that this can dig or scratch the surface if you are not careful. 

Flathead screwdrivers come in both metric and standard sizes, with the most common SAE sizes being 3/8, 1/8, and 1/4-inch.

Phillips 

Unlike the flat head screwdriver, the Phillps screwdriver has an “X” design fabricated to tighten and loosen cross-shaped screws which are commonly found in both wood and computers. The self-centering design of the tips helps avoid slippings out of the matching screw head, so ensure you have this type of screwdriver in your toolbox. The bit and screws are represented by the abbreviation "PH" and the size in numbers.

Torx 

This type of screwdriver has a starred blade with 6 round lobes and is commonly known as “star screwdrivers”. You can find Torx screws in car parts, bikes, and more. With a Torx screwdriver, you can apply a high amount of force without worrying about equipment slipping as their shape avoids them coming out. Another distinct feature about Torx screwdrivers is that the size is stylized with a “T” ranging from T1 to T100. 

Torque Screwdriver 

It’s for those situations when there’s no room for breaking the material you’re fastening, or you need to be careful not to overtighten the fastener when a torque screwdriver comes in handy. This type of screwdriver has a torque-limiting clutch that controls the amount of applied force to the working piece. 

This Olsa Tools torque screwdriver is built with a torque range of 10 - 50 in-lb. Plus, it includes a 1/4-inch female hex drive and has a ±6% calibration accuracy in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions to ensure that you get the most accurate torque spec when needed. 

Magnetic Screwdrivers

When working with small fasteners, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of having a screw coming out of its hole. If you’ve experienced this too often, the best set of screwdrivers will be one with magnetized tips to help you avoid this situation.

The most remarkable thing about these tools is that almost any type of screwdriver can be magnetized, whether they have pre-magnetized tips or you use magnetizing and demagnetizing rings. 

The Best Set Of Screwdrivers

High-quality screwdriver sets are great when it comes to having the right type and size of screwdriver for any task, and are quite popular for electronic work. This Olsa Tools 6-pc precision screwdriver set features 3 flat head and 3 Phillips head screwdrivers to ensure you have the correct tool for completing multiple projects like a professional. The ergonomic handles are engineered to give you the ideal amount of torque for most jobs while giving you comfort and ease of use during your task. Plus, it features pre-magnetized tips to avoid the frustration of having your screws falling to the floor. You can ensure your fasteners are always in place with this set! 

On the other hand, if you need a set with a wider range of sizes, this Olsa Tools 20 pc screwdriver set has your back. The hassle-free screwdriver set with pre-magnetized tips (14 regular screwdrivers and 6 precision screwdrivers) includes Torx, Phillips, and flathead ends and is made from Chrome Vanadium (Cr-V) steel to provide ultimate versatility and lifetime reliability, no matter if you work in DIY or professional environments. 

The best set of screwdrivers is one that completes the job right and helps you do it without stress. At Olsa Tools you can find these types of screwdrivers. They come with a limited lifetime warranty, 100% satisfaction guarantee, and a 90-days free return policy to give you peace of mind and make sure any purchase you made from us is a lifetime investment.