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How to Improve a Screwdriver Tip's Purchase: Use a Laser

By Rain Noe - April 2, 2014

in Hand Tools

You'd think the humble screwdriver has reached the zenith of its design refinement. As long as the tip type and size matches the pattern of the screw head, you can't get any more friction than that, right?

Wrong. German tool manufacturer Wera figured out that if they laser-etched diagonal grooves into the tip, the striations left by those grooves would actually bite into the screw, providing even more purchase.

The "Don't you hate when this happens" example the demo video kicks off with is overblown, but the point is taken.

Spotted at Holz-Handwerk.

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Toby

10 years ago

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I can believe Phillips were designed to cam out, but given that you may be loosening overtightened / loctited screws someone else originally set, this seems worthwhile.
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Mirar

10 years ago

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The problem is getting the screw out again, preferably without destroying your tool and/or the screw. It looks like a good tool to get the screw out. (You really don't care about overtorque when you want to get it out.)

There are already "grabbing" bits, as well as specialized tools to get screws out, but this is a nice solution.
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Paul Lewis

10 years ago

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P. L. Robertson solved this in 1909 with the Robertson screw.
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Brian Cherbak

10 years ago

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The beauty of the Phillips screw head is that it purposefully cams out; it is designed to not be over torqued. The truth is that if you don't want to cam out, you should be using a different fastener. It's still a clever idea.
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Sprockets

10 years ago

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Phillips head drivers were DESIGNED to cam out to prevent over-torque. Too bad there is a need for a new tool when the problem is using the wrong fastener in the first place.
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