Let’s be perfectly honest—many of us do not put much thought into our screwdrivers and nut drivers. We just grab them, use them all day and only think about them when one breaks, disappears or rounds off a screw that we really did not want to replace. They just sort of fade into the background of our tool kits.

But here’s the thing: these tools are used all the time. Every device, panel cover, box cover and termination has some type of fastener. Over time, all those fasteners add up. And when we aren’t using the right tool for the job, we notice it. Screws become stripped, tips slip out of the fasteners, our hands are sore at the end of the day and we generally spend additional time fixing problems that shouldn’t exist in the first place.

Modern electrical work has made tool selection more important than ever. Devices are smaller, boxes are tighter and expectations are higher. It is not necessarily about buying expensive tools, but rather choosing the right tools for the way we actually work. Let’s take a look at how to think about screwdrivers and nut drivers like professionals, not just shoppers.

Klein Tools' 13-in-1 ratcheting impact-rated screwdriver

General screwdriver considerations

First and foremost, select a screwdriver  based on the type of fastener it is meant to be used with. It doesn’t matter how comfortable the handle is or what the brand name is—if the tip is wrong, then the fastener could be damaged. For instance, in flathead screwdrivers, the tip should fill the fastener slot from edge to edge. A blade tip that is too narrow will concentrate all the force into the middle of the screw and chew the head up. It’s the same idea with a Phillips tip—we want a good tip that fully seats in the screw and doesn’t wobble. Worn tips can cam-out when you apply force. Once the head is damaged, it can be challenging (if not impossible) to remove.

The same can be said for any type of screwdriver tip, whether it’s a flathead, Phillips, Robertson (square head) or star head. We have to match the tip to the fastener. This is why most electricians still carry dedicated flat and Phillips screwdrivers, even if we also use multibit tools. There is something to be said for a simple, well-made screwdriver that does one job correctly every time.

Also consider the handle grip and shaft length. A handle that is slim, comfortable and fits in the hands well will pay dividends when using the tool to make terminations all day long. Many people tend to gravitate toward a screwdriver with a rubber-type comfort handle. 

Shaft length is dictated by either the installation or personal preference. Generally, something in the 4- to 6-inch range will work for most applications.

At the end of the day, choose screwdrivers with a handle that feels comfortable and select from those based on the fastener type it will be used on.

Milwaukee Tool's 7-piece magnetic HollowCore nut driver set

Multibit screwdrivers

Multibit screwdrivers have been around for quite some time and are an extremely useful tool. Whether it’s service work, troubleshooting or bouncing between different fasteners all day, they save time and space. One handle with multiple tips equals fewer trips to the truck. But today’s multibit screwdrivers have many more desirable features than their predecessors.

Sycamore, Ill.-based Ideal Electrical’s Twist-A-Nut conduit wiring kit has nearly everything you need for most standard installations. It comes with several interchangeable tips, including various sizes of slotted, Phillips, square tips and even two different star tips. But Ideal did not stop there. The set also includes a conduit reamer (½- to 1-inch EMT) and a double-ended tapping tool (6–32 through 8–32 and 10–24 through ¼–20). Rounding out the features are an open-ended handle you can use to twist stubborn wire nuts and a handy nylon case to carry it all in. 

Klein Tools, Lincolnshire, Ill., has been manufacturing screwdrivers for decades, but has really stepped up its game with the 13-in-1 ratcheting impact-rated screwdriver. The tool includes 12 bits (four different Phillips, two slotted, two square tips and four star tips) and a ¼-inch hex that are stored in the handle. The bits are impact-rated and can directly connect to a ¼-inch battery impact drill. This is a definite advantage considering most of us use a powered impact drill daily. The slim cushion grip handle also ratchets forward, fixed and reverse for much faster and easier driving of fasteners.

Klein Tools’ 14-in-1 impact-rated flip socket set

General nut driver considerations

Nut drivers do not get the respect they deserve. From grounding and bonding lugs, to beam clamps, strut hardware and even panel hardware, these tools touch critical connections every day. A sloppy nut driver will round off hardware just as quickly as a bad screwdriver wallows out screws. Proper size selection matters, so it pays dividends to have a complete nut driver set. A good range will cover from ¼ inch up to 9/16 inch.

Just like with screwdrivers, a comfortable handle is important, as electricians use the tool for long periods of time. The handle fit becomes even more important with nut drivers because the force we need to apply to the fastener is usually much greater than that of a simple screw. Look for slim handles with a rubber comfort type grip.

The actual shaft of the nut driver plays much more of a pivotal role than a screwdriver’s. Hollow shafts are often a much better choice than solid ones, as they allow the shaft to slide over threaded rod or long machine screws, which we encounter constantly in panels or gear and on commercial installations. This allows us to keep our efficiency up by not having to swap to a deep well socket or an open-ended wrench to finish the installation. Some nut drivers even feature flat-sided shafts so you can use a wrench to assist with stubborn bolts or nuts.

Follow the same logic for selecting nut drivers as screwdrivers. They should cover the necessary size range and feel comfortable, yet robust. 

Ideal Electrical’s Twist-A-Nut wiring kit

Specialty nut drivers

The seven-piece magnetic HollowCore nut driver set from Milwaukee Tool, Brookfield, Wis., is an excellent choice for electricians. The shaft is hollow, and the opening continues all the way through the tool, making it suitable for use on long, threaded rod applications (think strut racks). The head is also magnetic, which makes starting those stubborn connections a breeze while allowing one-handed use without needing the other hand to hold the fastener.

The driver head is also based on a spline drive, in lieu of just a standard hex shape, allowing it to be used on a wider variety of fasteners (square, hex, 12-point and spline). The shaft itself is also hex-shaped to allow a wrench to be applied when additional force is needed. Rounding out the features is the color-coded and size-­labeled handle ends that enable users to quickly find the needed size.

Klein Tools has a slightly different approach in its 14-in-1 impact- rated flip socket set. Instead of several individual drivers with handles, the set features six double-ended flip sockets and a single handle. This offers the same installation capacity without having to carry multiple individual drivers. The set includes six SAE sizes (from ¼ inch through 9/16 inch) and six metric sizes (7 mm through 14 mm). Additionally, the driver includes in-handle storage to hold the other set of drivers when not in use.

The sockets are also color-coded and laser-etched for easy identification and feature rare earth magnets to hold hex fasteners in place. The handle has a hexagon-shaped wrench assist for added torque. But perhaps the best feature of the set is that the sockets are impact-rated. This allows users to connect them directly to impact drills, negating the need to carry a separate set just for the drill.

The right tool at the right time

Screwdrivers and nut drivers do not get the attention and glory power tools do, but they probably affect daily work more than anything else in our tool arsenal. Be sure to choose them intentionally. It is all about efficiency, production and safety.

klein tools | milwaukee tool | ideal electrical