What Is a Screwdriver Bit?
A screwdriver bit is an attachment tool used for drilling holes and tightening screws when attached to a drill driver or impact driver, which is a type of power tool.
Bits attached to the main body are rotated at high speed by the power of the main body. Drill drivers are used for drilling, tightening screws, and grinding. There are several types of screwdriver bits for each of these applications.
Bits come in various shapes, such as Phillips, hexagonal, and lead (pointed). Impact drivers are used in much the same way as drill drivers, but are often used to tighten screws at once with higher torque.
Uses of Screwdriver Bits
Screwdriver bits are mainly used when tightening screws or drilling holes with power tools.
Screwdriver bits can be changed to accommodate various sizes of screws and hole diameters. Therefore, having multiple screwdriver bits makes it possible to handle a wide range of tasks with a single power tool!
Principle of Screwdriver Bits
Screwdriver bits are used by inserting them into power tools.
There are three main sizes of power tool inserts:
- Type A: 13mm
- Type B: 9.5mm
- Type B: 9mm
Type B is a special size used mainly by air tool manufacturers.
Therefore, when purchasing screwdriver bits at home centers, etc., there is no problem in purchasing them without paying much attention to the size of the insertion slot.
How to Select Screwdriver Bits
The key to choosing screwdriver bits is to know the characteristics of the bit and select the best one for your application.
Drill bits are sharply pointed and have a spiral notch on the shaft.
The size of the drill bit is determined based on the diameter of the hole to be drilled. Depending on the application (woodworking, ironworking, plastics, etc.), it is best to select a bit that is compatible with the application. Tightening screws come in two shapes: positive and negative.
The size of the bit is determined based on the size of the screw. Bits for tightening are available with the following functions:
- Double-ended bit
This type of bit has a plus and a minus on each end and is used interchangeably depending on the application. - Bit with magnet
This type contains a magnet to prevent the screw from falling out.
For polishing, bits with a whetstone attached to the shaft are used. Bits are available for various materials, including metal, glass, and plastic.
Other Information on Screwdriver Bits
How to Use Screwdriver Bits
Screwdriver bits are attached to a drill driver or impact driver.
1. One-touch sleeve
One-touch sleeves are mainly used in impact drivers. The structure is such that pulling the sleeve at the end of the main body releases the lock, and after inserting the bit, the sleeve is returned to secure it in place.
The advantage is that bits can be easily detached by simply pulling and releasing the sleeve. The disadvantage is that the bit is not completely fixed. As a result, depending on the length of the bit being used, the center axis may be slightly off when the bit is used.
2. Drill chuck
The drill chuck uses a special key to open and close the three jaws to secure the bit to the tip of the main body. Since the chuck is secured by opening and closing the gap between the jaws, bits of a wide range of sizes and thicknesses can be used.
The advantage is that a dedicated key is required to open and close the jaws, making it difficult to loosen by hand during operation and preventing bits from falling out due to human error. The disadvantage is that it is not easy to use because a special key is required when changing bits.
3. Keyless chuck
The keyless chuck replaces the dedicated key of the drill chuck with a feed screw at the end of the main body, and by turning the end of the main body, the three jaws open and close evenly to secure the bit. Like the drill chuck, a wide range of bit sizes and thicknesses can be used.
The advantage is that a dedicated key is no longer required, which improves ease of use. The disadvantage is that it takes a little time to change bits because it is necessary to turn the feed screw and open and close the three jaws each time when changing bits.