Tek Tip 2sD #1 - Screwdrivers

Which screwdriver would you choose to turn a stubborn screw?

Nope. If you're like my students, you chose the long one.  Sorry, Charlie.

The long one's for reaching. The thick one's for torque. 

The same force at the larger radius applies larger torque to the screw.  But that thick one's annoying to use once you break it loose. The thick handle requires more hand motion for each turn of the screw. It's a mechanical advantage trade-off.

Those two screwdrives have the same size head. Watch the head size. Match it to the screw or else you can damage the screw or the tool.

Then there are the teeny ones.

Why do those electronics screwdrivers have the skinny handles?

Why? Because those screws are small and weak and often in plastic. You don't want to apply much torque so you don't booger the head or break the screw or strip the threads in the plastic.

Screwdrivers. Match the screw head size to the tool tip size.  Use a thicker handle for a stubborn screw, a long one to reach, and a skinny handle for delicacies like caviar. Or you could just use every screwdriver you see as a prybar or digging instrument. I like that better.