Precision Screwdriver

Mini Screwdriver

The screwdriver is the one tool that you are most likely to find in every single home in the US (and perhaps even abroad).  With its job of tightening screws, adjusting cabinets, and everything in between it’s an extremely versatile, yet purpose built, tool.  Obviously they come in many different sizes and purposes. 

The mini screwdriver, also known as a precision screwdriver, is specifically made smaller driver that is made for the purpose of installing and removing screws with smaller heads.  A mini screwdriver is perfect when your regular screwdriver is too large to get the job done.  Think about all of those little screws, such as on your glasses, watches, cellphones, etc.

This page about the mini screwdriver is meant to serve as a continuation of our main page where we discuss three of the most common types of heads found on mini screwdrivers: slotted (flat-tip), Phillips and Torx.  In an effort to further down this path, we will be discussing a couple of the less common bit types that you might find in a precision screwdriver set.  These include Hex, square-drive, and nut drivers.

Screwdrivers that use a Hex key tip (rather metric or standard) have a hexagonal shape for their tip.  Hex key drivers, also known as Allen key or wrench, come on a wide variety of sizes, and are offered in both metric and standard varieties.  Hex socket head screws are used in a variety of industries.  You can find them in automobiles, electronics, furniture, and even in the hobby industry.  They provide for a beneficial design because the contact surfaces are protected from external damage, and since there are more contact points then a standard screw it will usually withstand the tendency to “strip” more than other patterns.  Traditionally when it comes to mini screwdrivers, the sizes that you find with hex heads will be limited to sizes less then 3.0mm, as sizes larger than that are not generally going to be considered in the mini screwdriver category.

A square-drive screw (also known as a Robertson screw) is a type of screwdriver that has a square shaped tip that has a slight taper.  Robertson screws are much more common in Canada than other parts of the world.  However, they are still fairly common in some industries, such as the electrical industry.  The tapered socket of the square drive screw helps hold the screw in the tool, and allows it to easily be used one handed.  Square-drivers are found in sizes from #00 up to #3 with #00 being the smallest.  While you will usually not find a need for a mini screwdriver with a Robertson tip, if you do, you will generally find them available in sizes up to a #1.

Nut drivers can often be confused with a hex driver. The key difference is that a hex driver is used on an Allen head style screw, where the hex shape is on the inside of the screw.  A nut driver on the other hand is designed to be used on nuts or bolts where the shape of the nut/bolt is hexagonal like a traditional bolt.  In mini screwdriver form, you will find them available in both metric and standard sizes, in the smaller size ranges.