I had a conversation with a guy on a tool truck this week. We were discussing about why a particular design of screwdriver tip sticks in the screw head after tightening with a ratchet screwdriver. As he didn’t know why, I thought I’d share with the tool community.
Not all brands do this rather brilliant but annoying trick. The brand that does it is ACR. The bit design allows for greater torque, without camout. I uses small ribs around the cross section of the tip to bite into the screw head. Unlike some of the extra grip toothed spanners on nuts, this does not damage the head of the fastener. It prevents slipping and is overall better for the screw.
The problem with similar brands is that ACR design is patented and therefore prevents other manufacturers using the same design. Like most other industries there are cleverer grey beards who can replicate the overall concept without treading on toes. So the new super grip bit was designed. It contained tool grade diamonds encrusted in the head of the bit, the diamonds then bite into the fastener like the ACR design. The problem is when great torque is applied the diamonds fall out of the driver and cause the tip to quickly wear. Not such a great alternative.
It maybe cheaper up front to buy the alternate brands, but don’t. Honestly don’t.
Buy once cry once, a joy to use and no swearing to get out that wrecked screw .
Until next time.
The Enginer’d