Security screwdriver, Torx screwdrivers, wrenches, what does this all mean?

Have you ever tried to find the right screwdriver for those security screws used in computers, Ipods, and other electronic equipment? It can be quite confusing trying to figure out what to call these tools, even before you start choosing the electronic tool you are looking for.

Here are some terms you may have heard or need to become familiar with that should help you in your search for the right safety screwdriver.

Torx driver: Torx is a brand used to identify screwdrivers that are neither Phillips head nor flat blade. In most cases, Torx screwdrivers have six sides and look like a star.

Wrenches: Keys are screwdrivers that look like a flat-head screwdriver, but have the center of the blade cut off leaving only the two outer edges to the left.

Star pieces Star bits are another example of a Torx screwdriver and they look like a star on the tip of the screwdriver.

Security screwdrivers Security screwdrivers refer to all the items mentioned above. They are specifically designed for those security or tamper-evident screws used in the electronics industry, as well as in some automotive applications.

Now that you have an idea of ​​what these specialty screwdrivers are called, let’s look at the different types. For ease of understanding, I will refer to all security screwdrivers as Torx screwdrivers.

Torx drivers use a number system that is generally quite easy to understand. The higher the number, the bigger the head of the driver. so a T8 Torx controller would have a smaller head size than say a T9. Torx drivers can also be called a hollow shaft or solid shaft. The numbering system works the same, but Torx Drivers with a hollow center shaft will have an “H” designation at the end. For example, a solid shaft Torx driver will be called T8, while the same hollow shaft Torx driver will be called T8H, where the “H” designates the hollow shaft.

Now you can also find these special types of Torx drivers in what are known as security bit sets. In many cases, safety bit sets allow you the same convenience as screwdrivers, but contain only the bits that can be interchanged using a common screwdriver handle with a hollow shaft that allows the bits to fit together. The advantage of safety bit sets is that they can be purchased quite inexpensively. The downside is their size, as they may not fit into tight spots found on electronic equipment.

Keys, on the other hand, are a bit different than Torx drivers. The name of this security screwdriver explains how this screwdriver works. It is a double-ended screwdriver that extends over a center point on the security screw. Although this type of security screw is not as popular as the traditional star type screw, it is becoming more prevalent in newer electronic equipment.

Remember, manufacturers have put these types of security screws in their equipment for a reason. In many cases, removing these security screws will void your equipment warranty. They are also used to ensure that this type of equipment is serviced by trained electronic technicians.