I have a screw driver question

Use the right tool for the job. You're going to screw up both the driver and the screw.

Nice blades but I can't stand the handles.

It's Pozidriv.

Yes, they work better than a Philips on Pozidriv screws and thus they work better than a Phillips on Euro style hinges.

I still have the VACO #1 and #2 that I had to buy back in the late 80's when HP (or was it Sun?) stated using Pozidrive screws on their equipment. The dark orange handles set them apart from the rest of my screwdrivers.

I don't know about Posi Drive (other than "yes, use the right tool for the job"), but I've switched to using Japanese ISO #2 crosspoint screwdrivers instead of phillips because they seem to fit better and won't cam out as easily. So if phillips screwdrivers aren't the best tool for phillips screws, they certainly aren't the best tool for non-phillips screws.

Phillips screwdrivers seem to be uniquely designed to destroy the screw they're supposed to be used with.

DJ Delorie snipped-for-privacy@delorie.com on Wed, 08 Sep 2021 00:26:43 -0400 typed in rec.woodworking the following:

They do cam out easily. Which I understand is considered by some a good thing in production: the screw stops, does not strip the hole, 'who cares about removing it?'.

I'm glad to hear it's not just my "technique"! On the few occasions where I have used an impact driver on them, I got far better results than manually--maybe since the connection to the screw was "more sure/stable".

Which I understand is considered by some

Camming out to prevent stripping was exactly the intent of the Philips screwdriver system, as stated in their patents. Think automobile production line. The various cross-point screw systems that don't cam out as easily were also intended to outmaneuver the Philips patents - they needed a different problem to solve.

Impact transmits the shock before camming can occur.

One way to prevent cam-out on mangled screw heads is to smear the screwdriver tip with fine valve-grinding compound - the grit locks driver to screw, preventing slipping.

Now we have controlled-torque screwdrivers, and camming out slows production down. Thus Torx.

Joe Gwinn

Well I have been adjusting these Euro hinges for 30 + years now. No worse for wear when simply making adjustments but as you say, right too for the job.

In most cases the Phillips screw drivers seem to crap out and do a bad job. BUT those Wera Phillips head screw drivers fit like a glove and do not slip. The laser etched and coated tips probably help significantly.

Most screw drivers have crap quality and the ends wear and slip early on. The Wera brand I mentioned above get used more than any other brand in my box. And each fits the screw like new. Compare the tips of your screw drivers to a new screw driver and you may see the problem.

Oh, yeah. The Pozidrive marking on screw heads, four rays (radial direction) is what to look for; feel of the fit of the tip in the screw is better by far.

Pozidrive drive surfaces are parallel to the axis, you don't need to press the bit into the head as much as with Philips.

The JIS screw heads have a marking of one dot, I wish I had the right screwdrivers for those, as well.

Cheap screwdrivers are cheap tools regardless of the tip design.

Wow! Great link and the JIS drivers apparently work well in JIS and Philips screws.

I do know that the Wera Philips drivers do work very well in Philips screws. I need to buy the Posidrive Wera too.

Thanks!

Just curious, what do you find wrong with the handles? I have relatively large hands and they fill my hand so I do appreciate that.

They just feel odd. The large diameter is on the middle and ring fingers rather than the index, where my power is. I'd prefer the handles to be straight so I can use all fingers to grasp them. IOW, like all other screwdrivers. Different <> better.

It's not easy to find hardened tip on screwdrivers anymore. Some are better than others but the ones with the hardened tips and more ductile (not sure that's the right word) shanks are hard to find. I have some old ones, even Craftsman, that are much better than what I see today.

Can't fault what feel right to you. Most straight handle drivers don't seem to fill my fist. It seems to "me" that most of my gripping is done with my first and last finger on straight handles.

Yeah, it seems that any of the old stand by brands you know are crap these days.

I "think" some of the "mostly trades" brands are still good but if they are aimed at the home consumer, Craftsman, Milwaukee, etc, = sub par.

I think the better screw drivers that you might find in the big box stores will not be in the regular hand tool section. Look in the electrical area, at Klein.

The ones I see now have a painted black tip to mimic the hardened tip of a good driver. I'd buy them online and pay $$ for goo ones but with the typical painted tip, who knows what you're getting?

Klein is good but I'm only seen #2 Phillips and 1/4" (?) flat drivers, used in electrical work. I'd like to have a more complete set, with square and torx drivers.