cabinet tip screwdriver

[blue dog]

What does the term cabinet tipped screwdriver refer to? I realize that the tip is straight as opposed to tapering out towards the handle, but where does the name come from? and what specific job are they made for.
I could google it and come up with a answer, but thought i would let the true experts explain it to me. Thanxs garagejournal in advance for the answer to my question.

 

[bsaint]

Components in an electrical cabinet. I use them all the time to tighten lugs on contactors.

 

[Steve_P]

the tips are typically thinner vs the "standard" slotted tip profile in the same tip width. A very common application for a cabinet tip driver would be cover plates on home electrical switches and outlets: your typical slotted screwdriver that's .2" wide is too thick.

 

[blue dog]

Still do not understand where cabinet tipped comes from,, oh well !

 

[The Motts]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13817

 

[bchee]

Components in an electrical cabinet. I use them all the time to tighten lugs on contactors.

Still do not understand where cabinet tipped comes from,, oh well !

I think it might actually be electrical "cabinet" as bsaint states, although usually when I think of "cabinet" I think of wood furniture.
I'm trying to internet research but nothing conclusive yet.

I suppose I can see in electrical enclosures there are a bunch of deep recessed slotted heads

 

[knobbylon]

From Wikipedia:

"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. Many text books and vocational schools will instruct mechanics to grind the tip of the blade, which will increase the thickness of the tapered tip for a more precise engagement with the slot in the screw. This approach will create a set of graduated slotted screwdrivers that can be select fitted to a particular screw for a tighter engagement and to reduce the deformation of the screw head."

 

[Even 11]

I always thought "cabinet" screwdrivers were the really long shafted ones? I didn't realize that the tip configuration had anything to do with it. The other terms I have heard for the Wiki definition of a "cabinet" screwdriver are Hollow ground and Gunsmith screwdrivers.

For those who are still a little fuzzy on this picture the working end as a V on a standard screwdriver and a Y on the cabinet/gunsmith/hollow ground variations.

-Dane

 

[mrholeshot]

Cabinet screwdrivers have the same size tip as the shaft. It doesn't widen out. They were designed to be used on electrical cabinets where the screws are reccessed into a hole no bigger than the screw itself. It's like taking a round phillips and cutting off the tip and hollow grinding a flat blade out of it.

 

[bchee]

If I understand blue dog correctly, he already knows what the screwdriver looks like. He is trying to figure out how it came to be named "cabinet tip"

Based on 2 responses it comes from "electrical cabinet."

Wikipedia doesn't explain the origin, only calls it "cabinet variety."

So it sounds like it was designed for "electrical cabinets" and not "kitchen cabinets"

 

[bentleyden]

cabinet tip referring to an electrical cabinet. where an electrician would make connections attaching wires to lugs or a terminal bus bar requiring a narrower tip thickness and width.
see attached picture.

 

[gungatim]

I always referred to them as carb jet tipped for same reason. when you drive the fastener down past the top thread, as in the above pic, the tip of a regular "keystone" drive will start to hit and tear up the threads...I usually use cheap drivers custom ground on the grinder for those situations, but every now and then I come across a factory grind that way on a driver...usually Xcelite or Hunter...

 

[bentleyden]

like this one

 

[4Kings]

You can see the difference between the cabinet tip and keystone here


http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/drivers/cushion-grip-screwdrivers

 

[John Harwood]

I would say that cabinet tipped drivers have been around longer than electricity cabinets. My guess is that these drivers were used by cabinet makers. The early cabinet screwdrivers had a flat blade shank, with a ground-down cylindrical section at the tip end. The tip itself had a slight flare, to let the shank follow the blade down recessed holes. You will find these recessed holes in the wooden corner braces of furniture... Look under the seat squab of your Chippendale chair.

 

[M6erfan]

^this what I thought too

 

[woody 73]

Oh Man Blue dog got banned, have not heard from bchee in a few years, poor Mr holeshot died some time back, darn it ***** getting old.

 

[dumper]

for cabinet work, as in carpentry, where the screws are recessed, then covered with a wood plug.