Taping a screwdriver tip

[4xdog]

Here's one for the group: It's not uncommon when using a screwdriver as a lever or prying tool to tape the tip to protect whatever we're working on from being marred. I do it often, but I've never been convinced the way I do it is the best way. The tip isn't always protected and the tape rarely lasts longer than the first touch onto the work.

My approach:
1. Masking, duct, gaffer, or some other tape depending on what's at hand and general feeling about what I'm doing. Scotch blue masking most of the time.

2. Fold a piece of tape down from the tip, sometimes sorta wrapping it around the blade but mostly not.

There's gotta be a better way all you pros choose the tape or attach it to the screwdriver, yes? Learning a better approach would be a simple but worthwhile upgrade.

 

[larry_g]

Here's one for the group: we all tape screwdriver tips sometimes to protect whatever we're working on. ..

I must be the the exception. Retired now, made a living twisting wrenches, some on multi-million dollar equipment. I can't ever remember taping a screwdriver to protect the fastener. I have made custom brass or plastic drivers, filed regular screwdrivers to fit, and replaced fasteners that were marred. Can't ever remember taping a screwdriver.

Having the proper tool is the key.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[WWheeler]

Yeah I've never taped a screwdriver either. Not even sure I understand how taping might protect the fastener. At first I thought maybe just wrapping the shaft but it sounds like you're actually taping the drive end. I'm not sure how that would work at all. My gut feeling is that a proper tip for the fastener wouldn't have that much room for tape and would probably make it more likely to slip out and damage the fastener.

Then again, maybe I'm just not privy to a useful technique.

 

[crguy]

Me three. Never taped a screwdriver. Always just make sure I have the proper one for the job at hand.

 

[Bobioz1]

Tapping up a screwdriver was recommended when using it to pry automotive interior trim off. Lots of plastic tools available today.

 

[The Cobbler]

I've only ever taped a screw to a screw driver to get it started when the screw is recessed deep & can't reach it

 

[4xdog]

Maybe the better question is what tool should I use when I need to lever something and don't want to mar it?

I tape a screwdriver tip to protect soft surfaces (usually plastic, as in automotive trim) when I need a more pointy and stiffer tiny prybar than any of the plastic ones or fingernails I have.

One of my more useful tools is an old Craftsman small screwdriver my late brother used to scrape grout until it was rounded and dulled. My border collie, uncharacteristically, chewed it up, alas. I made another one and use this one often. But sometimes I need a bigger, soft-tip lever than this one. Maybe I should make a larger dull and rounded tip driver to eliminate the need for protecting the work from a sharpish tip.

Here's an example of something I might use a taped screwdriver tip to lever open (probably inappropriately!):

 

[Professional Tool User]

Never heard of taping a screwdriver. If you are trying to get body and trim panels off, there are plenty of plastic pieces that are designed for prying plastic. If you have a messed up screw, it's time to use an impact driver or some sort of extractor. If you can get away with not reusing that hole, there's also the option of cutting off the screw head

 

[kursplat]

only time i've ever taped one, or seen one, is for working in a hot electrical panel. just tape the shank for that

 

[Davefr]

I've never taped one either. Wouldn't the thickness of the tape make for a sloppy fit? IMHO having a nice snug fit with the screw would be a better approach.

 

[4xdog]

I'm not talking about using a taped screwdriver to drive screws, of course. For that I use as clean, sharp, and well-fitted screwdriver as possible. No issues there!

This thread is about using a screwdriver as a "delicate" prying tool.

 

[FigureItOut]

This thread makes a lot more sense now. For $13 to your door, get this and forget about taping screwdrivers.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

 

[Tallpilot]

Exactly. The glass impregnated nylon prying tools are quite strong and non marring on most surfaces. Fortunately the days of taping screwdrivers is over.

 

[4xdog]

This thread makes a lot more sense now. For $13 to your door, get this and forget about taping screwdrivers...

That one's pretty nifty. Yes, it would (will) be a good addition.

 

[4xdog]

Exactly. The glass impregnated nylon prying tools are quite strong and non marring on most surfaces. Fortunately the days of taping screwdrivers is over.

I have a couple of sets of those, and they're sometimes not slender enough or stiff enough. Maybe I oughta check to see what other versions of this basic type is out there, 'cause as one who's spent his professional career in polymer science and technology, the ones I have don't really seem like glass-filled nylon, or at least not very high glass content.

 

[plinker]

For the use you're describing shrink tube would likely work pretty well. Before I bought pinch off pliers, I'd use it on needle nose Vise grip jaws for pinching off hoses.

I have the Snap-on seal picks, very handy and not just for o-rings and seals.

 

[samss]

Have you tried heat shrink tubing on the screwdriver tip?

 

[4xdog]

For the use you're describing shrink tube would likely work pretty well. Before I bought pinch off pliers, I'd use it on needle nose Vise grip jaws for pinching off hoses...

Have you tried heat shrink tubing on the screwdriver tip?

I've not tried that, which surprises me, 'cause I've used shrink tubing in a number of unconventional ways over the years. Sounds like a very good idea, and one I'll definitely try. Thanks for the suggestions!