A screwdriver is the most common hand tool found in any toolbox or household. Their primary purpose is to loosen or tighten screws. There are many head types and lengths to choose from depending on the material and applications. RS Components offer a huge range of the most popular brands such as; Bahco, CooperTools, Facom, Wera, Knipex, Wiha, Weller, Stanley and RS PRO with large stock quantities.Get the right screwdriver!Whether you are a DIY... Read more enthusiast or a tradesperson it is very important to have the right screwdriver to avoid damaging screw heads and driver tips. View our screwdrivers guide which illustrates all the available screwdriver options to help you select the model that best suits you and your projects.Screwdriver ElementsBefore choosing a screwdriver or Screwdriver Set it’s important to consider your application, comfort, and design before making a considered purchase.Measurement:This can be either a metric measurment (mm) or imperial (inches). While this may just appear to be a simple unit difference, metric and imperial threads are different from each other when using thread gauges, so it is important to know which unit of measurement you should be using.Handle: Generally shaped to prevent rolling on flat surfaces and can also be ergonomic to improve comfort. Most commonly the handles are made of a composite of hard plastic such as cellulose acetate or thermoplastic rubber to improve grip.Shaft: Made of strong steel to ensure that bending or twisting deformation does not occur when applying force. The shafts are round or has a hexagonal shape for more torque transfer.Tips: An important part of a screwdriver, it make’s contact with the screw head and delivers the rotating force (torque). There is virtually an unlimited choice of tips and sizes, they are usually variations of the most popular shapes and made from materials such as;Titanium, Stainless steelTool grade steel or (S2)High-speed steel or (HSS)Chromium-vanadium-molybdenum steelNon-sparking metals to reduce combustion riskWhat are the most common types?The most common are slotted screwdriver, Pozidriv (PZ), Phillips (PH) and Flathead (also known as a standard) Torx (T or TX) and Terminal.What does VDE Approved mean?VDE approval ensures that tools like screwdrivers are safe to use when working with electricity. A VDE approved tool means that it has passed a series of rigorous tests ensuring the quality, safety, construction, and ergonomics have been met.What does ESD mean?ESD Anti-Static screwdrivers are made for use on sensitive electronic components by allowing controlled dissipation of static build-up. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the release of static electricity when two elements encounter each other.