screwdriver
Enable an AI agent to recognise a screwdriver, assess its fitness for a particular screw and task, and decide how it may be used, maintained or withdrawn from use.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
Researched by: Codex + Grok
Purpose and description
Enable an AI agent to recognise a screwdriver, assess its fitness for a particular screw and task, and decide how it may be used, maintained or withdrawn from use.
A screwdriver is a torque-transmitting hand tool or interchangeable bit whose formed tip is sized and profiled to mate with a matching slot or recess in a screw head so the fastener can be driven or extracted by rotation rather than by gripping the screw body.
It can be Match the fitted tip to a target screw's drive profile, size and access constraints.; Turn a compatible screw manually within the tool's documented limits.; Change and secure a compatible bit on an interchangeable-bit screwdriver.; Select an available ratchet direction or torque-control setting.; Inspect, clean and reassess the tip, handle, shaft and retention mechanism.; Withdraw the screwdriver from a task when damage, mismatch or missing evidence prevents a suitability judgment..
Distinguishing features
Its working end engages a screw-head drive feature to transmit rotation, rather than gripping the outside of a nut or bolt.
The assembled tool provides a hand-operated path from a handle to a screw-engaging tip; a loose bit alone lacks that assembly.
Its intended driving action is rotation through the tip, distinguishing it from an awl, punch or chisel despite possible similarities in outline.
The operator supplies the driving torque manually, distinguishing the scoped tool from a motor-powered screwdriver.
For a disputed hex or socket form, identification requires checking the tool's declared type and registry boundary rather than relying only on its ability to turn a screw.
Scope
+ The assembled screwdriver and its currently fitted tip or bit
+ Drive profile, tip size and access geometry
+ Handle, shaft and manual torque-transmission mechanisms
+ Wear, damage, bit retention and functional condition
+ Task-specific suitability and documented use restrictions
- Screw identity, thread geometry and fastener condition beyond their interface with the screwdriver
- Joint design, tightening requirements and assembly acceptance criteria
- Motor-powered screwdrivers and drill-drivers
- Loose-bit inventories and bit manufacturing specifications
- Electrical installation state and workplace hazard assessment
Characteristics
- Tool configuration
- fixed-tip | interchangeable-bit | other documented configuration | unknown Determines which components establish the tool's current identity and usability.
- Drive profile
- Recorded profile designation, such as slotted, Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx or hex; unknown permitted Visually similar tips may engage different screw-head profiles.
- Tip size designation
- Profile-specific size marking or designation, with its designation system A size is meaningful only together with its drive profile and sizing convention.
- Working-end dimensions
- mm, with the measured feature identified Supports fit assessment when markings are missing or physical clearance must be checked.
- Reach and access envelope
- mm for usable reach, shaft diameter and handle clearance dimensions A matching tip may still be unable to reach or rotate at a recessed screw.
- Installed bit
- Reference to fitted bit, integral tip, no bit fitted or unknown Changing the bit changes the assembled tool's screw compatibility.
- Torque-transmission mode
- direct | ratchet clockwise | ratchet counterclockwise | ratchet locked | other | unknown Determines how handle movement reaches the screw.
- Torque-control setting
- N·m with documented range and verification status; not applicable or unknown A torque-controlled task requires more than an unverified setting or an ordinary handle.
- Working-end condition
- Observed wear, rounding, chipping, bending or contamination, with assessment date Tip condition affects engagement and the risk of slipping or damaging the screw.
- Structural and retention condition
- Observed handle, shaft, connection and bit-retention condition; unassessed permitted A compatible tip is insufficient if torque cannot be transmitted securely.
- Documented special-use rating
- Reference to applicable manufacturer instructions, markings or certification evidence; none recorded Claims such as electrical insulation or impact suitability must be tied to the particular tool.
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.screwdriver
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 6 bundles · 11 layers · 18 findings · 28 questions.
Screwdriver identity Establish what screwdriver is present and which assembly is being assessed.
Appearance alone may not distinguish a complete screwdriver from a bit, another pointed tool or a neighbouring driver type.
Tool boundary
Identify the intended driving function and the limits of this model.
Manual screw-driving identity
Record evidence that the object is an assembled tool intended to turn screws through a manually driven tip.
- What observed features or product identification establish this as a hand-operated screwdriver? definition
- Does this instance require a boundary decision with a hex key, nut driver, powered driver or loose bit? boundary
Assembled configuration
Identify the parts that determine the screwdriver's current capability.
Current driving assembly
Record whether the tip is integral or replaceable and identify fitted bits, holders and extensions.
- Which tip, bit, holder and extension currently form the torque path? definition
- Which markings or records identify the handle assembly and fitted components? provenance
Screw engagement Represent whether the working end matches and seats in a particular screw.
A screwdriver must match the screw interface closely enough to transmit torque without relying on superficial resemblance.
Profile and size
Describe the tip using its own profile and sizing convention.
Tip identification
Record the drive profile and size, separating observed geometry from markings and inferred identifications.
- What drive profile and size are marked or otherwise established for this tip? definition
- Which working-end dimensions must be measured if the designation is absent or ambiguous? measurement
Seating and access
Assess engagement in the target screw and clearance around it.
Target screw fit
Record seating, interference and available alignment for the proposed screw-driving task.
- Does the tip seat in the target drive feature without obstruction or evident profile mismatch? measurement
- Do the shaft reach and surrounding clearance permit the required alignment and handle movement? boundary
Manual drive control Describe how the operator's movement and torque reach the screw.
Direct, ratcheting and torque-controlled screwdrivers support different operating decisions.
Drive path
Assess the handle-to-tip connection and available direction modes.
Rotation transmission
Record how the screwdriver transmits rotation and whether its selected mechanism functions as intended.
- Is the drive direct or ratcheting, and what direction or lock mode is currently selected? definition
- Does an appropriate functional check reveal unintended slipping, binding or lost engagement? measurement
Torque control
Distinguish ordinary manual driving from documented torque-limiting or indicating capability.
Torque-task capability
Record any torque-control mechanism, its usable range, setting and evidence of verification.
- What documentation establishes the tool's torque-control range and current verification status, if applicable? provenance
- Can the required task torque be controlled or verified with this screwdriver and its current setting? action
Driving condition Capture defects that affect screw engagement or the integrity of the assembled tool.
Tip wear and failures in the handle, shaft or holder can make an otherwise matching screwdriver unsuitable.
Working-end integrity
Assess the surfaces that contact the screw.
Tip wear and damage
Record rounding, chips, deformation and deposits that may compromise seating or torque transfer.
- What wear, damage or contamination is visible on the screw-contacting surfaces? measurement
- Does the observed condition warrant cleaning, bit replacement or withdrawal under the applicable instructions? action
Assembly integrity
Assess the supporting structure and detachable connections.
Handle, shaft and retention
Record cracks, bending, looseness and failure to retain fitted components.
- Are the handle, shaft and their connection damaged, bent or loose? measurement
- Does the bit or extension remain secured by its intended retention mechanism during an appropriate check? measurement
Permitted screwdriving Connect the screwdriver's documented capabilities and observed condition to a proposed action.
Physical ability to engage a screw does not establish suitability for electrical exposure, striking or other special demands.
Special-use evidence
Record evidence for capabilities that cannot be inferred from shape or colour.
Documented use limits
Tie insulation, striking and other special-use claims to identifiable instructions and the actual tool configuration.
- What markings and documentation support any claimed electrical-insulation or striking capability for this screwdriver? provenance
- Do the fitted components and observed condition satisfy the documented conditions of that claim? boundary
Task decision
Determine the next action from fit, function, condition and relevant task requirements.
Use, change or withdraw
Record a task-specific suitability decision and any unresolved evidence needed before use.
- For the proposed screw-driving task, should this screwdriver be used as configured, reconfigured or replaced? action
- What observed change, such as repeated slipping or a loose bit, requires stopping and reassessing the tool? action
Evidence and external alignment What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.
A model that cannot be lined up against existing standards, identifiers and practice cannot be adopted by anyone who already uses them.
Reported evidence
Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.
Kinds and varieties
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Slotted (flat-blade) screwdrivers
- Phillips (H-cross) screwdrivers
- Pozidriv screwdrivers
- Torx / hexalobular screwdrivers
- Hex-socket (Allen) screwdrivers
- Robertson (square-recess) screwdrivers
- Precision / watchmaker's screwdrivers
- Insulated electricians' screwdrivers (IEC 60900 / VDE)
- Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of screwdriver this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Identifiers and schemes
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Wikidata - Q173186 - Item for the hand tool screwdriver (not a specific manufacturer model).
- HS / Harmonized System - 8205.40 - Customs heading for screwdrivers.
- UNSPSC - 27111701 - Commodity code for screwdrivers within hand tools.
- ISO tip marking - PH#, PZ#, SL <width> mm, TX/T#, HEX <A/F> mm - Trade marking of tip family and size on the blade or handle, as required by ISO 8764 and related assembly-tool standards.
- Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of screwdriver this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Standards and regulation
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- ISO 2380 (International Organization for Standardization): slotted screwdriver tips.
- ISO 8764 (International Organization for Standardization): Phillips and Pozidriv screwdriver tips, lengths, and marking.
- ISO 10664 (International Organization for Standardization): hexalobular internal driving feature (the Torx-type recess the tool must match).
- ISO 1703 (International Organization for Standardization): nomenclature of assembly tools for screws and nuts.
- IEC 60900 (International Electrotechnical Commission): insulated hand tools, including screwdrivers, for live working up to 1 000 V AC / 1 500 V DC.
- ASTM F1505 (ASTM International): insulated and insulating hand tools (U.S. counterpart practice to IEC 60900).
- ASME B107 hand-tool series (ASME): dimensional and performance requirements for flat-tip, Phillips, and related screwdrivers and bits.
- JIS B 1012 (Japanese Industrial Standards): Japanese cross-recess screw geometry that Phillips tips often fail to fit cleanly.
- Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of screwdriver this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Real-world use
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Driving and removing wood, machine, and self-tapping screws in construction, furniture, automotive, and appliance assembly.
- Terminal and panel work by electricians, using insulated screwdrivers on live or potentially live equipment.
- Precision assembly of electronics, instruments, and spectacles with small PH000-PH0, slotted, or Torx bits.
- Interchangeable 1/4-inch hex bits in ratchets, bit holders, cordless drills, and impact drivers on production lines and in trade kits.
- Improper but common secondary uses as a light pry, punch, or chisel, which is outside the tool's designed load path.
- Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of screwdriver this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Typical measurements
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Tip size (Phillips / Pozidriv) - PH/PZ 0-3 in general trade; 000-00 in precision work; 4 on large fasteners - point number
- Slotted blade width - 2.5-12 - mm
- Torx size - T6-T40 in common kits; T10-T30 dominate construction and automotive - Torx designation
- Exposed blade / shaft length - 40-250 for ordinary hand tools; stubby under ~40; extra-long above ~300 - mm
- Bit shank - 6.35 (1/4 inch hex) for interchangeable bits; 4 mm and E-hex variants also used - mm
- Applied torque - 0.05-1 precision; 1-10 general hand driving; ~10-25 large cabinet/driver sizes - N·m
- Rated working voltage (insulated tools) - 1000 AC / 1500 DC under IEC 60900 - V
- Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of screwdriver this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Failure modes and hazards
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Cam-out of Phillips (and worn) tips, rounding the screw recess and launching the blade off the head.
- Tip wear, chipping, or twisting when the wrong family or undersize tip is used, especially JIS recesses with Phillips bits.
- Handle-tang separation or cracked handle under high torque or impact.
- Shaft bend or twist from prying or from using the tool as a chisel.
- Insulation puncture or contamination on VDE tools, removing shock protection.
- Puncture and laceration injuries when the blade slips toward the holding hand.
- Fragment ejection if a hardened bit or blade snaps under bending load.
- Energized-circuit shock or short if an uninsulated shaft bridges live parts.
- Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of screwdriver this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Regional variation
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Canada: Robertson (square) recesses are ordinary in wood construction; they are uncommon as a default elsewhere.
- Europe: Pozidriv (PZ) is the usual wood-screw cross recess; handles are marked PZ, not PH, and a Phillips bit will cam out.
- United States: Phillips and slotted dominate DIY and many trades; 'flathead' is everyday speech for slotted.
- Japan and much East Asian electronics: JIS B 1012 cross recesses; a true JIS or 'Japanese Phillips' bit seats where a Western Phillips walks out.
- United Kingdom trade speech still uses 'crosshead' for Phillips/Pozidriv collectively.
- Security and brand-specific recesses (tri-wing, pentalobe, spanner) are concentrated in consumer electronics and public fittings rather than general hardware.
- Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of screwdriver this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Nut driver - A nut driver has an internal hex socket that fits an external hex nut or hex-head screw; a screwdriver's tip fits an internal slot or recess in the screw head.
- Hex key (Allen key) - A hex key is a bent or T-handled bar of hexagonal stock used on internal-hex fasteners; a hex screwdriver is the same driving geometry on a screwdriver handle or bit, not a L-key.
- Awl / bradawl - An awl is a pointed piercing or marking tool and cannot transmit driving torque into a formed screw recess.
- Chisel - A chisel has a sharpened cutting bevel loaded in striking or paring; a screwdriver tip is a driving profile and is not a cutting edge.
- Screw extractor (easy-out) - An extractor is a reverse-tapered, usually left-hand tool that bites a damaged recess; it is for removal after the screwdriver has already failed to engage.
- Phillips versus Pozidriv versus JIS bits - Pozidriv has additional radial ribs and a blunter point and should be marked PZ; JIS recesses are shallower/tighter and often carry a factory dot; a Phillips (PH) bit is the one that cams out of the other two.
- Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of screwdriver this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Sources
- ISO 2380, Assembly tools for screws and nuts - Screwdrivers for slotted-head screws - Defines the slotted-tip geometry, sizes, and the distinction between tips for hand- and machine-operated screwdrivers.
- ISO 8764, Assembly tools for screws and nuts - Screwdrivers for cross-recessed head screws - Defines Phillips and Pozidriv driver tips, blade lengths, and marking of hand-operated cross-recess screwdrivers.
- IEC 60900, Live working - Hand tools for use up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC - Governs insulated screwdriver construction, marking, and dielectric testing used for electricians' tools.
- Screwdriver - Overview of tip families in actual use (slotted, Phillips, Pozidriv, Robertson, Torx, hex), regional habits, and the cam-out behaviour that separates Phillips from Pozidriv and JIS.
What the second pass must settle
- Does the registry intend screwdriver to include powered and manual impact screwdrivers, or should those be linked neighbouring models?
- Where does the registry place the boundary between screwdrivers, hex keys and nut drivers when handle forms and screw-driving functions overlap?
- Which authoritative profile and sizing references should support identification, especially for easily confused cross-head profiles?
- What manufacturer-specific criteria establish acceptable tip wear, retention performance and torque-control verification?
- Which evidence and inspection requirements apply to special-use claims, particularly electrical insulation and permission to strike the tool?