Can Screwdriver' Head Be Fixed?

ugoleaf · Post by **ugoleaf** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:38 am

Hello,

I liked this screwdriver and would want to restore it to use again. Someone didn't match it properly with screws and worn out its head while tightening.

Is it possible to fix it with a file? Obviously it has to be done from proper angle and retaining angle acculuracy will not be possible. I wonder if there is a specialized machine for such a job for curiosity sake.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 6:52 am

ugoleaf wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:38 amI wonder if there is a specialized machine for such a job for curiosity sake.

If there were, one thing is for sure, the machine would cost more than the screwdriver.

What ever you think of, you will have to spend time/money on it, which would make it cheaper to buy a new screwdriver.

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:24 am

Just buy another screwdriver, they wear out and not everything in this day and age can be restored.
If you want to keep the tool then grind it to a point and use it for making holes in things or pilot holes in wood etc.

Mike

ugoleaf · Post by **ugoleaf** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:30 am

London mike 61, How do I match recessed security philips screw with a suitable screwdriver without bringing kitchen appliance to a shop? Is my only option to buy a set of screwdrivers?

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:56 am

ugoleaf wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:30 amIs my only option to buy a set of screwdrivers?

Since anything can have any size/type of screw, if you plan to work on them, then yes you should have a "set" of screwdrivers. I even have a small (Limited quantity) socket set, don't use it often, but grateful I have it.

Chippo1 · Post by **Chippo1** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 8:27 am

That has the look of a cheap PZ2 , so to refinish a PZ or Philips screwdriver would be practically and economically impossible , I am sure you can find a U Tube video of the process and machines used to make these precision items and that would show you why it’s a no no.

The material the driver is made from will determine the life of the head , cheap ones are made from cheese steel and more expensive longer lasting from more exotic alloy steels. Using drill drivers and impact drivers these really wear out the bits.

But you either need in the average kitchen cupboard a PZ2 driver, so spend £5 and get a new one , or even lash out on a Philips to, unlikely to be Philips.

I have couple of old Stanley PZ drivers that must be now 30 years old bought when I was on the tools , they are still fine.

Rorschach · Post by **Rorschach** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:25 am

Just buy a new one. Re-filing the profile would be a waste of your time. Screwdrivers are a consumable tool, even flat blade drivers which are fairly easy to re-shape can only be repaired a limited number of times.

I only use a "classic" screwdriver when I have to, i.e to reach down into a recess. Any time that I can I use a replaceable 1/4" hex type driver.

Dave54 · Post by **Dave54** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 1:36 pm

As already said, there's no practical way for the average person to restore these screwdrivers.
Buy new, decent quality tools, and use them properly. Learn how to identify the different head types and sizes, (and there are several in at least fairly common use depending on what you're working on), and use the right screwdriver or bit on them. It saves loads of grief and worn out tools and screw heads if you do.
Same with other tools, buy the right tools as you need them, unless it really is a "one off" and you can get round it.
Most of us on here started out with a handful of tools, and have done pretty well that.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 1:52 pm

I think the steel is rubbish in some screwdrivers, I have some 50 years old that are still good. I even have a big long flat head screwdriver that I have abused over the years using it as a stand-in chisel and a lever for instance, and that is still fit for purpose. I have a Pozidrive screwdriver that has had loads of work over the years and is my go-to for a hand driver. I have to say that I mostly use bits in my cordless these days and they vary in quality considerably. Some burr off quickly others go on and on. As I said all down to steel quality.

DWD

Dave54 · Post by **Dave54** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 2:03 pm

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 1:52 pm I think the steel is rubbish in some screwdrivers, I have some 50 years old that are still good. I even have a big long flat head screwdriver that I have abused over the years using it as a stand-in chisel and a lever for instance, and that is still fit for purpose. I have a Pozidrive screwdriver that has had loads of work over the years and is my go-to for a hand driver. I have to say that I mostly use bits in my cordless these days and they vary in quality considerably. Some burr off quickly others go on and on. As I said all down to steel quality.

DWD

Similar here. Screwdrivers of all ages, including a Philips that has to be nearly 50 years old. Only been used for bench work really, but still really good. It's an American "Velocity" IIRC, it was expensive compared to the more common brands back then, but I was told they were good.

Been using Wera bits for a couple of years now. They're pretty good IMHO.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 2:06 pm

security screwdriver bits
https://www.toolstation.com/draper-secu ... set/p52910

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 2:40 pm

ugoleaf wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:30 am London mike 61, How do I match recessed security philips screw with a suitable screwdriver without bringing kitchen appliance to a shop? Is my only option to buy a set of screwdrivers?

How do you know it’s a security screw? Security screws aren’t put on appliances because there is no need. Philips screws aren’t security screws but there are other screws that can be confused with philips.

I have a few sets of screwdrivers and the set I use most is this https://www.screwfix.com/p/wera-kraftfo ... eces/521fp because they are well made and you can buy the drivers individually if you need a replacement or additional drivers of different heads/sizes.
I also have a set for rough work that if I need to persuade something to shift , I can hit with a hammer and it won’t damage the driver.
The set is similar to this but I bought it so long ago it that I can’t remember how much I paid https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-mi ... -pcs/9944v.

If the screw you are trying to shift is knackered then that is a different topic .

Mike

Dave54 · Post by **Dave54** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 2:45 pm

There's a fairly good list of drive types here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives

As I said earlier, more problems are caused by using the wrong driver for the screw than anything else.

As Mike says above, removing knackered screws is a different topic.

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 6:15 pm

I did try once to restore a philips screwdriver. I clamped an angle grinder to the bench with a new cutting disc in it and held the screwdriver in a sort of wooden jig. It sort of worked but wasn 't as good as a new driver and i didn't attempt it again , too much trouble for the end result. Since then any I've had , either my own or someone else's they've chucked i tend to grind into a slotted screwdriver.

Dave54 · Post by **Dave54** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:27 pm

Grendel wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 6:15 pm I did try once to restore a philips screwdriver. I clamped an angle grinder to the bench with a new cutting disc in it and held the screwdriver in a sort of wooden jig. It sort of worked but wasn 't as good as a new driver and i didn't attempt it again , too much trouble for the end result. Since then any I've had , either my own or someone else's they've chucked i tend to grind into a slotted screwdriver.

Yes, I tried to do similar with an old screwdriver years ago. It doesn't work really as you say.
And I do the same, either make a general purpose podger out of them, or a slotted driver.