On 2016-12-26, Doug White wrote:
For many years now, I have always used the black handle Xcelite Phillips
screwdrivers with the chrome shaft & black tip. I outfitted my
electronics bench with a fresh set a few years ago, and the #1 Phillips
tip is already toast. I took apart a dead stick vacuum cleaner today
that had a dozen screws down in holes, and I had to get my other #1
driver from my woodworking toolbox to finish the job. It is also
showing signs of excess wear on the tip.
O.K. The first thing is that the proper Phillips tip *looks*
too big fro the screw. The wings extend beyond the slots in the screw
head..
The test (with a new tip) is to put it in loosely and feel for
play ifyou gently try to rotate it with your fingertips on the shank.
If it feels a bit loose, it is too small -- go to the next size up.
Aside from this -- there are screw heads which look similar, but
are not. Reed and Prince is one such. That one has a different point
shape, too.
As for what I find better overall are long shank 1/4"
screwdriver bits without handles. They can plug into handles, or into
electric screwdrivers/torque-limiting drills, or even into small ratchet
wrenches at need. They are forged from harder metals than consumer
grade screwdrivers.
One problem is that the #1 tip is very pointy, and I think it is
bottoming out on some screws, which increases its tendency to slip.
This is because (as I mentioned above) it is likely too small
for the screw. Often (for flat-head screws) the diameter of the screw
head is barely larger than the diameter of the screwdriver shank.
Way back when, I got some screwdrivers from Snap-On, and they
were very good. The handles were a rounded triangle shape, lots of grip
for torque. Plated shank, but unplated tip. However, one of the two
from then (No. 2 Phillips and a common size straight-blade) had the
handle split in two across about the enclosed end of the shank. I don't
know whether it was something like oil attacking the plastic or what,
and they no longer make that shape of handle.
This accellerates the damage & makes it more likely to slip the next
time. The #2 tip is definitely rounded and no where near as pointy.
The #0 seems to have a some of the same issue, but not as pronounced.
And -- does the No. 2 point fit into the screws before they are
damaged?
I'm going to have to replace the #1's (and may get another #0 as well),
and was wondering if folks have a favorite brand that grips screws well
and holds up better. I've had good luck with Wiha drivers in the past,
but mostly for smaller stuff (jeweller's screwdriver size).
Wiha makes larger ones, too. But make sure that the point fits
the screw before you start to apply torque.
Good Luck,
DoN.
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