Talk:screwdriver

The definition previously given seemed to describe a very specific sort of hand screwdriver: what about T- and Y-shaped hand screwdrivers, ratchet drivers, electric drivers, etc.? PoziDrive, SupaDriv, hex, Torx, and the various forms of security screwdrivers? And so on. A lot of the detail seems more appropriate for an encyclopedia -- I did edit the original a bit, but have deleted it (and appended it to this comment should anyone want to reinstate it).

"The chisel blade screwdriver is the most common, and has a tapered blade with a rectangular cross section with thickness much less than its width. Phillips, PoziDriv, and SupaDriv screwdrivers have blades with a cruciform cross section. Several other cross-sections are used for differently shaped screw heads, some of uncommon shape and others designed to be capable of tightening but not loosening screws with special heads (security screws). The blade is inserted in the screw head and turned, usually clockwise to tighten and anticlockwise to loosen the screw. The shaft between the handle and blade usually has a circular cross section; sections or entire shafts with square or hexagonal cross sections allow the use of a wrench for additional torque."