3 Common Screws to Add to Your Tool Belt

Whether you’re a carpenter, plumber, or home handyman with your tools, it doesn’t hurt to have a few screws in your pocket. Whether it’s for building furniture or tightening up hinges on that squeaky door, screws can be one of the most important and versatile tools at your disposal.

1. The Torx Screw

Torx screws are usually used on electronics and other small gadgets. Their six-sided star pattern is designed to prevent the bit from slipping and stripping the screw as you tighten it down. The actual shape of the Torx head will depend on the size; 5- or 6-pointed stars are common. Don’t use an Allen wrench if you need to remove one; it could damage the star’s corners. Instead, look for a set of Torx screwdrivers that you can use instead.

Additionally, be sure you don’t confuse the Allen wrench screws with the Torx head screws. Because of the close relationship between their sizes, a Torx screwdriver can be used to fit an Allen wrench screw exactly.

2. The Allen Wrench-Head Screw

The Allen Wrench-Head Screw is a screw with a flat head that fits into an opening in another object. It looks like a normal screw, but the length of the hexagonal shaft is varied to be any length required to fill the opening of another object. It’s exceptionally useful when attaching something to a hard-to-reach place, such as between two objects. It’s often used in combination with the Allen Key, which produces even more versatility for your tools.

3. The Phillips Screw

Phillips screws have been around for longer than most people think. They were popularized by the Phillips screwdriver, which uses the same cross-shaped blade as the screw. However, you don’t need a Phillips driver to use a Phillips screw. The flat bottom of the screw gives it some unique handling properties that make it quite useful to have in your tool belt.

The Phillips screwdriver was developed specifically for use in confined spaces and it performs exceptionally well in that capacity. In order to use it, you need to turn the knob till it is as far down as it can go while simultaneously inserting the tip very slightly into the head of the screw. By twisting it back and forth, you won’t be able to break off the head of the screw because it’s a flat driver. You will work to loosen it up in order to allow your die to cut away the remaining threads.

You have to be careful not to misplace those Phillips bits or switch them out for another screwdriver bit. If you do that, there is a chance that you will shred the head of the screw, which will make it very difficult to remove with any driver.

Finally, screwdrivers are one of the most helpful tools to have in and around the home. Fixing a leaky faucet, removing a damaged bulb, or adjusting a door knob are just some of the possible things with these tools. When used appropriately, screwdrivers are extremely useful equipment since they enable you to make straightforward repairs to your property.