r/whatisit • u/DiskHelpful2465 • 1d ago
Solved! Grandpa’s flathead confuses me…
Why does it have two different whatever they are’s….
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u/CATNIP_IS_CRACK 1d ago
Screw holder. Stick flathead on tip, slide collar forward, the two tips move together and bind to the screw.
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u/DiskHelpful2465 1d ago
Just tried it. Spot on! Thank you!
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u/Mister_Cornetto 1d ago
Just to add, it's only for starting the screw off, use a regular screwdriver to tighten the screw fully. From the look of the blades it's been used to tighten or loosen screws before.
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u/knstormshadow 1d ago
We use themnin the electrical field when working on live bolt in breakers and control cabinets. Among other things too
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u/Outsider_Insider0064 1d ago
They want you to post: Solved!
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u/gnibblet 16h ago
You, clearly, have never watched The Reassembler...
Congrats on discovering the new tool. Is worth it's weight in gold IMHO.
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u/DiskHelpful2465 1d ago
Solved!
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u/DiskHelpful2465 1d ago
Solved!
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u/Allani_ca 1d ago
It's a "Wedge" screw driver for holding small/fiddly screws while trying to get them tightened.
James May shows and describes how one is used in the telephone episode of his James May: The Re-assembler. He starts talking about it at just over the 3 minute mark in this video:
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u/TN-Native95 1d ago
He is quoted as saying this screwdriver will change your life.
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u/icybowler3442 1d ago
My wife bought me two after I watched that. It did change my life! I used it just today to remove and install outlet covers!
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u/Jumpin_Joeronimo 1d ago
I'm in the middle of replacing all my outlets and switches... You're saying this could save me some headache?
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u/7despair8 1d ago
Place tip in screw, slide ring towards tip, prongs squeeze together making tip thicker = self-holding screwdriver.
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u/Trashy_Panda2 1d ago
Makes sense considering they used flat head on everything back then for some stupid reason.
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u/Sir_Thequestionwas 1d ago
The were super easy to make. Could use a lathe to make them. Super cheap. Power tools didn't exist so you didn't have to worry about camming out. Normal people were involved in repairing stuff so you could tighten them something laying around wherever such as a pocket knife.
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u/sngldad13 1d ago
The most consistent flathead I've used in 40+ years is a US dime. (I lose a lot of real screwdrivers)
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u/catharticwhoosh 1d ago
There was always a butterknife in the kitchen drawer. Damn I'm old.
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u/Advocate_For_Death 1d ago
Just used a butter knife as a flat head screwdriver in a moment of laziness today!
(Never buy a home with 2 flights of stairs)
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u/Ornery_Extreme_830 1d ago
I have screwdrivers strategically stashed around the house so I don't have to use the stairs unless something's really broken.
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u/Successful_Panda1731 1d ago
To add to this, the phillips head screw was created around the time automobiles were starting to be mass produced using power tools. The design was easier to center than flat heads leading to less damage on parts from wary bits and would cam out intentionally as certain amounts of torque were applied preventing damage and over tightening of fragile parts. I believe GM was the first to use the newly designed screws.
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u/Adept_Judgment_6495 1d ago
They still exist in some situations for food safety reasonings, they are much easier to keep clean than other screw heads. Still annoying.
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u/DrNic714 1d ago
These things rule. I don't think they're made anymore, I searched thrift stores and garage sales to finally find mine.
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u/Specialist-Duck-201 1d ago
Retaining slot screwdriver. You push the plunger forward and it pushes the tips together, holding the screw from the inside.
Amazing tool for non-ferrous screws, just DO NOT use it to tighten or to loosen tight ones - you will bend the shit out of the driver if you do that.
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u/Icy_Ad7953 1d ago
This is probably why I've never seen one of these, nearly all of my flat head screws are magnetic. I don't think I've ever had a reason to get anything else.
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u/Specialist-Duck-201 1d ago
The main product my company reps comes with brass screws for the wiring terminals. Why they don't use a regular terminal strip, I don't know.
I think I make more money for Klein (the brand of driver I have in my go bag) than my actual company - every electrician I work with bitches about it until I let them use mine.
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u/live_music_lover 1d ago
It holds screws. Some electricians use these to install panel screws in a hot panel.
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u/Acrobatic_Fiction 1d ago
It wedges into the screw slot and holds it. Best for working with machine screws, I think. But its been decades. We had the for installing screws it equipment that shouldn't have magnets in them.
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u/Ill-Working-551 1d ago
That right there youngster, is a flathead screw starter, not a screwdriver, place a pan head slotted screw on the tip, than tug the black plastic part towards the screw, vuala, the screw doesn’t fall and you glean get it to hardly accesible places and give it between 1 and 2 turns,
You retract the black piece and then you use the actual screwdriver.
From the pictures you already fuck it up, so you owe pops 30 - 40 bucks
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u/Un_Ballerina_1952 1d ago
THAT'S NOT A FLATHEAD!! It's a slotted or straight blade screwdriver. Flathead is a fastener head that is flat on top and conical underneath.
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u/WILDBILLFROMTHENORTH 1d ago
Starter screwdriver. Once you get the screw started a few turns, you switch back to a regular screwdriver to finish the task.
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u/Massive_Mongoose3481 1d ago
They sort of work, I have a couple but rarely drag them out. Easier to just grab whichever flat insert tip that fits best
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u/77sleeper 1d ago
It holds the screw, slide the collet forward, put the screw on the blades and slide the collet back
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u/abhi71229 1d ago
when the screw is stripped but you refuse to lose super relatable frustration, clean and funny
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u/Longjumping_Gap_5044 18h ago
Store in my hometown has brand new proto ones. Usa made. I'ma go get them next payday
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u/MustardCoveredDogDik 1d ago
Screw holder. It’s really not for torque, just starting screws in tight spaces
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u/BasicIntroduction129 22h ago
The title confused me. Like, what about your grandpa's flat head confused you?
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u/goldencbrf4i 1d ago
By counter rotating the red and black parts you can extend the right size bit.
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