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Where can I find a quality Phillips “hold the screw” driver?

rogersmithiii

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Jan 15, 2012
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212
Anyone have a link on a quality Phillips screwdriver that holds the screw on the end of the driver to start it?

thanks.
 
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dnschmidt

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Oct 3, 2014
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Phoenix, AZ
Klein made one using springs once upon a time but I don't know if they still do. Screw holding screwdrivers seem to have gone out of fashion.
 

Bogie1632

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Feb 18, 2018
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Southeastern Wisconsin
Ullman and Stanley make some decent screw starters. Both readily available online with a quick search.

In lieu of a starter, and depending on the screw material, a magnet stuck to the driver shaft or a magnetizer/demagnetizer works as well. In lieu of magnetism, a small piece of tape over the screw, stuck to the driver shaft or even a dab of adhesive would also work.

Lots of options depending on the circumstances and needs of the job.

V/R
Bogie
 

Ton ton

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Oct 16, 2019
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Page County,VA
Performance tools has a Phillips screwdriver with some kind of coating on the tip. Through tang handle. It worked decent for me. Look @ your local auto parts store and see if you can find something that works.
 

dnschmidt

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Phoenix, AZ
Only if the screwdriver is the two piece authentic Robertson. None of the clones work nearly as well as the Robertson made screwdrivers in this regard.
 

larry_g

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Apr 28, 2007
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Location
oregon
Question are you working with #4-6 machine screws or #8-10 wood screws, or?? There are different tools out there for different types of screws.

lg
no neat sig line
 

RoundedNut

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Aug 8, 2018
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239
Location
driveway
I use Robertson screws and the inherent design holds screws well. When I am unfortunate to deal with Philips, Torx or others, then I'll use one of my bit drivers that has a strong magnet. This is a Witte bit holder, and it can hold a 4" face plate. You can also get magnetic collars for your screwdrivers.

IMG_20200908_155750_1.jpg
 

Ton ton

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I got a Phillips screwdriver from AutoZone and it is magnetic. I wish it wasn't magnetic because it picks up fine metal shavings.
 

FMC1959

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Feb 9, 2014
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Location
Montreal, Canada / Upstate NY
Not to sound lame but are the screws you are using for sure Philips? When you buy a box of screws and they say Philips, that's fine. But when unscrewing and then screwing back in items you are fixing, I find that more often than not, they are JIS. Considering how many things come from overseas, JIS are used very often. I was screwing on the stand to a Samsung TV, my Philips was struggling, but the JIS got a good solid grip on the screw.

So to your question, even if the screw is JIS and you use the correct JIS driver, I don't know if it will stick. Magnetizing the driver would be my first choice. Otherwise, if you have clearance to get this in, these are made for impact hex bits but fit on many screwdrivers, looseley, but what is key is that it holds tha head of the screw.

Other things I have tried....sometimes, depending on the screw and screwdriver material, a drop of crazy glue can hold the screw for times when you have to go deep inside, with no way of holding the screw. The crazy glue will easily let got with a bit of force. Sometimes a pinch of plumber's putty can hold.

These can help quite a bit, but never seen a screwdriver with the sleeve, just bits for impact drivers

Last but not least, never tried these, but there are many screwdrivers with dedicated "screw holders". If it is for something you work on often, getting some of these could help a lot. Just a variety from the internet...






 
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speed88

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Dec 11, 2017
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Location
Illinois
Maybe down your alley.



 

Steve_P

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Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,185
I have a few Ullman screw starters. Wiha makes, or used to make a screw holding driver.
 

BukitCase

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Location
Oregon
Might try this one; I've used them years ago, just don't try to torque a screw with it. I still have a couple, they also made a "shortie" version.


If you want one, better grab it NOW; most places I looked are listing it as discontinued... Steve

PS - I guarantee it'll work better than ANY magnetic type if you're using non-ferrous screws :=)
 

AJHD

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Jan 4, 2020
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AZ
Might try this one; I've used them years ago, just don't try to torque a screw with it. I still have a couple, they also made a "shortie" version.


If you want one, better grab it NOW; most places I looked are listing it as discontinued... Steve

PS - I guarantee it'll work better than ANY magnetic type if you're using non-ferrous screws :=)

What is it? The link shows nothing and says nothing. Real descriptive... :dunno:
 

Cruzan80

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Jul 22, 2015
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Location
Denver, CO
Phillips version of the Slotted screw starters. The silver barrel kind. Was going to grab one or two, but shipping is at least $12. Kind of kills the $9 price
 

Rinspeed

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Apr 26, 2020
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NY
And that's why I grab everyone one I see, Phillips, flathead, wedge type, twisted center type.... I must have 10+ in my drawer, but only a few Ph type.





Well, don't be hoarding them damn things, send me a couple of them.
 

Prospecter

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May 16, 2015
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Location
Maine
I have often used a slotted screwholding driver on phillips heads to get things started, and then switched over to phillips.
 

Old Radar

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Apr 17, 2019
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Location
San Antonio, TX
Unless you need it for something that has to be done tonight, check out estate sales in your area that advertise tools. 8 out of 10 sales I go to have at least one spring jawed screw driver--plus all kinds of other tools--dirt cheap.
 

BukitCase

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Apr 11, 2017
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Location
Oregon
AJHD, sorry; chose that link from a google search, here's one @ amazon


Pic doesn't show much; those black ends get pushed together when you slide the sleeve toward them, making a cross-point - insert screw, slide the sleeve back which lets the two halves spring apart - they usually work better than this sounds... Steve
 

Cruzan80

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Jul 22, 2015
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mr.lemons

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Oct 24, 2017
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UK
I got a Phillips screwdriver from AutoZone and it is magnetic. I wish it wasn't magnetic because it picks up fine metal shavings.

You should be able to demagnetize it. Not sure if this completely demagnetizes tips, so it may still pick up the odd shaving.

 

ttpete

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Mar 8, 2011
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Location
Dearborn, MI
The old trick to magnetize a screwdriver is to wind the whole shaft with insulated wire and flash it across the battery terminals.
 
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