^
They are longer for leverage; or maybe I should say, longer for leverage to get more torque. If you want a shorter #3 screwdriver with a handle, all you have to do is get a 3/8'' drive spin handle in the length you want and then add in a bit socket.
^
They are longer for leverage; or maybe I should say, longer for leverage to get more torque. If you want a shorter #3 screwdriver with a handle, all you have to do is get a 3/8'' drive spin handle in the length you want and then add in a bit socket.
UGH. I thought it was a stubby #3 at first. :-(
I too wish they had P3 and P4 in stubby or short length. I don't work on huge stuff.
I'vce heard that said before, but I don't see it. A six foot blade doesn't put any more turning force on the screw than a six inch one. A screwdriver's not like a breaker bar - it's not a lever. Making the blade longer doesn't give you any more torque. The best I can say for long screwdriver blades is they give you a bit more reach when access to the fastener is a problem.
^^ Is this correct? Asking as I am interested not calling you out. I find myself reaching for a stubby driver with hard to remove screws. Feel like I have more control and less chance of slipping off the screw with a shorter driver. Will have to have a rethink and experiment.
Torque increase from a larger diameter handle not length. Not questioning that.
TEKTON 26683 #3 Phillips by 4-Inch Screwdriver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014US22SA/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Does anyone make such a thing besides Tekton? (I don't care for Tekton's handles).
If you have a shorter screwdriver, movement of the handle a given amount will change the angle between screw and driver a greater amount. For a ridiculous example, say you have a 1" long screwdriver. If you move it 1" from centered, you're now on a 45° angle. If the driver is 10" long and you move it that same 1", then your angle is only 5.7° [arctan (1/10)].
^^ Is this correct? Asking as I am interested not calling you out. I find myself reaching for a stubby driver with hard to remove screws. Feel like I have more control and less chance of slipping off the screw with a shorter driver. Will have to have a rethink and experiment.
Torque increase from a larger diameter handle not length. Not questioning that.
I'vce heard that said before, but I don't see it. A six foot blade doesn't put any more turning force on the screw than a six inch one. A screwdriver's not like a breaker bar - it's not a lever. Making the blade longer doesn't give you any more torque. The best I can say for long screwdriver blades is they give you a bit more reach when access to the fastener is a problem.
I am looking for a #3 Phillips screwdriver that isn't a foot long and would be comparable to my #2 100mm or ~4inches. Does anyone make such a thing besides Tekton? (I don't care for Tekton's handles). Thanks![]()

I'vce heard that said before, but I don't see it. A six foot blade doesn't put any more turning force on the screw than a six inch one. A screwdriver's not like a breaker bar - it's not a lever. Making the blade longer doesn't give you any more torque. The best I can say for long screwdriver blades is they give you a bit more reach when access to the fastener is a problem.
I politely disagree. It gives me room to get my elbow up off the table so I can put my shoulder into it.
I also politely disagree.
As someone who mounted ski bindings professionally, I can assure you that a #3 pozidriv has more torque than a stubby for the exact reason listed above.
*This was mostly an issue removing screws as they were glued into the ski.
Not trying to be argumentative but the length of the shank provides no mechanical advantage in terms of torque. Torque is force applied times the distance from the axis so the thickness of the screwdriver handle makes a difference but not the length of the shank.
The length of the shank may put your arm in a position to apply more force so I certainly agree with that.
The reason I can’t seem to get any torque on a stubby is usually the short handle!![]()