Cabinet Screwdrivers?

[littletoes]

Anyone else like 'em???

They just seem to fit screws better.

Anyone else???


uh....does this mean I'm contemplating the Physical NEED for some more screwdrivers????

 

[otis66]

Somtimes a cabinet screwdriver is the only thing that will fit/work. I like anything that works and makes life easy.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have a long Klein cabinet screwdriver, 3/16" tip. I use it a lot when doing telephone/computer wiring.

 

[Outlawmws]

I guess this is new on me. what exactly separates a "cabinet screw driver" from any other well fitting screwdriver? Gun screw drivers I'm familiar with, but Cabinet?

 

[billymade]

I have snap-on versions; the main difference is the shanks/hafts are very thin, so you can fit in tight spaces.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=82288&group_ID=20402



According to Wikipedia; originally, it was related to the grip of the screwdriver but also: "Blade: Among slotted screwdrivers, there are a couple of major variations at the blade or bit end involving the profile of the blade as viewed face-on. The more common type is sometimes referred to as keystone, where the blade profile is slightly flared before tapering off at the end. To maximize access in space-restricted applications, the same edges for the cabinet variety, in contrast, are straight and parallel, meeting the end of the blade at a right angle; this is frequently used in jeweler's screwdrivers, among other applications."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screwdriver

 

[Alchymist]

Cabinet screwdrivers have a tip no wider than the shank, while others have a flared part of the tip that is wider than the shank.

 

[ckadams00]

A cabinet screwdriver has a straight sided (as opposed to a flared) tip, allowing it to fit into a screwhole only as wide as the screw head. Generally I believe the tip is also straighter, rather than flared thicker to thin at the tip. A lot of people, myself included, think they fit screw heads better.

I have some old wooden cabinet screwdrivers that I love the feel of. Most modern cabinet screwdrivers look just like any other except for the sides of the tip being stright.

 

[Outlawmws]

Got it. Somewhat similar to Gun screwdrivers, only gun screwdrivers are hollow ground. Thanks guys!

 

[canuckian]

i love em. Had a set a few years back and they all either broke, got lost or walked off on their own. Have an almost new snappy set on the way to me now from the other side of the continent! I agree, they do seem fit in a screw better. maybe it's a mental thing, I dunno?

 

[wornoutoldman]

I'm a huge fan as well. I've a old (70s) SO ones that sees the majority of action out of a drawer of many. It's one of the few tools where longer and thinner works better.

 

[jeffmoss26]

They definitely have their purpose when trying to work on electronics. A lot of things have recessed screws in small holes where a normal screwdriver is too wide.

 

[stopdroplol]

My Williams set calls them electrician's screwdrivers. They're pretty handy when working on motorcycle carbs. I should probably put them to more use though.

 

[Squankum]

Well, this raises the question, what function does the flare-out metal do on the non-cabinet screwdrivers? Is it just a result of the normal manufacturing method?

 

[W650Mike]

Gun makers, and several gunsmiths I've used, use the term "turnscrew" instead of screwdriver. I assume that the term is of European (British?) origin. These drivers have straight shanks and hollow ground tips.

Here's a pic of a nice set:

http://huey.webapeel.com/pages/classic_gunmakers_tools

 

[Outlawmws]

Well, this raises the question, what function does the flare-out metal do on the non-cabinet screwdrivers? Is it just a result of the normal manufacturing method?

This; some forging of the tip before grinding.

 

[humber2]

Well, this raises the question, what function does the flare-out metal do on the non-cabinet screwdrivers?

Non-cabinet screwdrivers are much better for stirring paint...

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I couldn't live without mine - I have Greenlees at home and Kleins at work.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Cabinet screwdrivers have a tip no wider than the shank, while others have a flared part of the tip that is wider than the shank.

I didn't know this at first, so I though my Snap-on was defected.

 

[electronics4life]

Any recommendation's for cabinet tipped screw drivers? It seems that it is mostly brands such as Greenlee and Klien that have them. I would prefer to stay away from these two brands and to have easily returnable warrantied screwdrivers. I am currently using Craftsman pro and Husky pro regular slotted screw drivers.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I'm pretty sure Craftsman has them in the "normal" line, and pretty much everyone else makes them too.

Greenlees or Kleins will outlast you unless you use them as a chisel or prybar, and are as easily warrantied as anything else (take to distributor and trade for a new one).

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein or Snap-on in my opinion.

 

[Greatbear]

Standard versions have the flare from the initial forging process, but the primary reason is to give the tip extra strength. The flared wings buttress the tip along its length. Cabinet screwdrivers are more likely to twist or break with too much torque applied, or when used to pry.

 

[littletoes]

Standard versions have the flare from the initial forging process, but the primary reason is to give the tip extra strength. The flared wings buttress the tip along its length. Cabinet screwdrivers are more likely to twist or break with too much torque applied, or when used to pry.

I would imagine this might have been true of metals used quite a few years ago, but maybe not so much today.

Wouldn't you think?

Better steels, better tools, that is IF manufactures do THEIR part!!

I've thought that Cabinet styles have always fit screws better. I've a couple of Snappy's now.....and feeling withdrawals for more!