Drive type refers to the part of a screw that allows it to be turned and tightened. There are many types of drive available, this guide walks through your options and their benefits and downsides.
Drive Type | Usage |
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Pozi and Philips | At first glance, Philips and Pozi look similar in that they both have a cross-shaped drive type. However, Pozi drive screws have some significant advantages over Philips drive as they provide much more grip and reduce the chances of the screwdriver slipping or stripping the head. |
Slotted | Slotted drive screws are the oldest and typically cheapest type of screw drive, featuring a single slot across the head. It is simple to manufacture and can be tightened with lots of different (or even makeshift) tools - but the slotted drive can easily get damaged or stripped through overtightening. |
Combination | Combination drive types typically combine both slotted and pozi. They aren't particularly strong or resistant to stripping, but are easy and quick to use with whatever tool is at hand. |
Hexagon Socket | Socket drive screws are tightened with a hex key (sometimes known as an Allen key). Socket drive screws are much more resistant to stripping, and as such can be tightened much more effectively. |
One Way | One way drive screws are designed so they can only be screwed in one direction. Generally they are used to prevent tampering or removal of the object in question. |
Square | Square socket drive (or Robertson drive) are very resistant to stripping, but are not very commonly used these days so can create ease of maintenance issues as a result. |
Torx / Hexalobular | Torx drive screws (or hexalobular drive) are characterised by their star shape. They are extremely resistant to stripping and are very user friendly. At the moment they are more expensive and less common than other types, but they are unquestionably very effective at performing their role! |