Screwdrivers & Hex Keys

For the Trade

Start with the space you’ve actually got and how the tool will be used. That usually decides more than finish or extras. In tight cupboards, plant rooms or fixings buried behind fittings, shorter handles and compact heads save you fighting the job. If you’ve got room to work, longer drivers give you more purchase and less hand strain. For screwdrivers and hex keys, I’d usually steer you by access first, then by drive type and how often you’ll be on the same fixings all day. Trade screwdrivers cover the everyday work. Precision screwdrivers suit smaller fixings where a full-size handle is just in the way.

Screwdrivers & Hex Key Options Compared

When you’re choosing screwdrivers and hex keys, start with the fixings you’re actually driving and how often you’ll be on them. A phillips screwdriver still covers plenty of everyday work. A torx screwdriver is the one you reach for when you want less cam-out and a cleaner bite on modern fixings.

A ratchet screwdriver earns its keep on repeat screws because you’re not resetting your grip every turn. It’s not the same as a plain driver, though, so don’t pick it if you want the simplest, most direct feel.

A flat head screwdriver still has its place for older slots and the odd adjustment, but it’s the one most likely to slip if the head’s worn. If you’re building out the rest of your kit, Hand Tools is the parent range to keep an eye on.

Choosing Materials and Size

The first call is usually reach, grip or speed. Longer trade screwdrivers give you better purchase on stubborn fixings, but they’re awkward in tight housings, so a shorter pattern earns its keep where access is poor.

On mixed fixings, a set with the right drive shapes saves faffing. For repetitive work, a ratchet handle helps, but you lose some feel. If the job is live, insulated screwdrivers are the one to buy, not a general set.

If the work is more about levering or breaking out than driving, move over to Bolsters & Wrecking Bars; for layout, marking and the rest of the prep, Building Tools usually comes next.

Completing the Setup

Once you’ve picked the driver, the next call is what still needs finishing around it. On a fit-out, that usually means the panels, screens and storage that go in after the fixings are sorted, plus the wall finish and any access pieces that need a clean handover.

If the job is heavy on repeat assembly, a ratchet screwdriver saves time. In awkward corners, a stubby driver earns its keep. Keep insulated screwdrivers separate for electrical work. That’s the set you want when the spec changes and the rest of the kit stays in the van.