Screwdriver

tools · building · mechanics

Twists screws tight. Screwdrivers have a handle and a metal shaft with a special tip that fits into the grooves on a screw's head. When you turn the handle, the tip spins the screw clockwise to tighten it or counterclockwise to loosen it.

Different tip shapes. There are many types of screwdriver tips, like Phillips (with an X shape), flathead (like a line), and Robertson (a square). Each type fits a different kind of screw, so using the right one helps you turn it without the tip slipping.

Manual or electric. Traditional screwdrivers are manual tools you turn by hand, but electric or powered screwdrivers spin automatically with a battery or cord. Powered ones are faster and less tiring for big jobs.

Holds things together. Screws fastened with screwdrivers are used everywhere: building furniture, assembling electronics, fixing eyeglasses, and constructing buildings. They're better than nails in many cases because you can tighten or loosen them whenever you want.

Precise and removable. Unlike nails that are hard to remove without damage, screws can be taken out cleanly so you can repair, disassemble, or reassemble things. This makes screwdrivers one of the most useful tools ever invented.