Flat head screwdriver

What is a flat head screwdriver?

A flat tip screwdriver, commonly known as a slotted screwdriver, is a handy tool for turning screws with grooves on their heads. The flat head screwdriver has a straight flat blade that fits into the screw head's groove. Applying torque on the screwdriver's handle helps turn the screw, either clockwise or counterclockwise, to tighten or loosen it.

There are various flat screwdrivers ranging from large flat head screwdrivers to tiny flathead screwdrivers. Their varying sizes help in matching different screw sizes. The flat-head screwdriver sets are versatile and used in various applications, such as household furniture assembly, installation of electrical outlets and appliances, construction, and mechanical engineering.

What are practical applications of long, thin flathead screwdrivers?

Long, thin flat head screwdrivers typically have blade widths that range from 5/16 inch to 3/8 inch or larger. The length of the long flathead screwdriver can also vary, with some, such as the large flat-blade screwdrivers, having 8-inch shafts or more. They come with a more oversized handle that can fit in your palm. Ideally, a better grip offers more torque which tightens screws wherever necessary.

A long flat screwdriver can fasten screws in tight spots like car hoods. Additionally, these screwdrivers can be improvised as chisels or pry bars. In cases where you need a can opener or softwood scraping, you can improvise by using the long flathead screwdriver to open objects such as paint cans or small lids. However, this large flat screwdriver is not a substitute for the precision work chisel.

What are the different types of flat head screwdrivers?

Each design has a specific purpose with various flathead screwdrivers in the market. For instance, a big flat head screwdriver is one of the most common types of flathead screwdriver. It's used for tightening or removing slotted screws with a single straight-line slot. Stubby flathead screwdrivers have short, sturdy handles, making them useful for tight spaces or extra control in a confined area.

Plastic flat head screwdrivers, also known as electrician's screwdrivers, have insulated handles for protection in hazardous areas such as electric shock when working with live electrical components. The precision flathead screwdriver and the micro flat head screwdriver have slimmer blades. They are used for delicate and precise work, such as mobile, laptop, eyeglasses, or jewelry repair. Angled flat head screwdrivers are suitable for corners and tight spots. Moreover, extra-long flat head screwdrivers have longer shafts, which can reach hard-to-access areas.