PlusMinus screwdriver - Who knew?

[Seadog]

Having just watched Stefan Gotteswinter's latest offering I now need to buy some screwdrivers
I never thought, for one moment, that the screws with both cross and straight slots had a driver of their own. I thought that they were made they way for convenience. (Perhaps they were, but someone saw a marketing opportunity?)

 

[Shox Dr]

Is that from the Gullable Series .

(added to the list of stuff I dont need but want just in case)

 

[daleyd]

Those drivers do actually grip much better than standard posi/Philips on mcb screws etc.

I got a wera interchangeable set and there was a couple in there, never used them before but they are very good

 

[Maker]

Never see those before, I'd probably dismiss it as a pointless gimmick if they didn't come recommended.

What video were they in? I must have missed that one.

 

[MetalMonkey]

They are used typically on electrical terminal screws. The ones on MCBs in the consumer unit, or often in the back of commando plugs, isolators, that sort of thing.
Sometimes also in appliances.

They go by various names, plus minus, SL/PZ or SL/PH, Modulo.

They fit the screw a lot better than either a PZ/PH or a slotted.
However, they are quite fragile, and if you use the wrong size or type (yes their are both SL/PZ and SL/PH versions) you stand a good chance of snapping off one of the wings.

Not strictly necessary, but nice to have if you encounter a lot of these things, and if you have to torque them.

 

[Seadog]

What video were they in? I must have missed that one.

Quite near the beginning when he's talking about his electrical tool kit.

They fit D-type shells too.

 

[Brad93]

Having just watched Stefan Gotteswinter's latest offering I now need to buy some screwdrivers
I never thought, for one moment, that the screws with both cross and straight slots had a driver of their own. I thought that they were made they way for convenience. (Perhaps they were, but someone saw a marketing opportunity?)

View attachment 407945

I've ordered them via amazon (£50 from italy) only to find wera do them!!!

In their VDE sets (17 piece) roughly £70

 

[Shox Dr]

To be fair they probably fix/fit the crude stamped heads on these screws. They cam-out at the slightest amount of torque.

Only found them in cheap 110v Yellow and Blue 240 16a sockets.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I've ordered them via amazon (£50 from italy) only to find wera do them!!!

In their VDE sets (17 piece) roughly £70

Pretty certain everybody does them. Certainly Wera, Wiha, PB Swiss, CK, even Draper.

 

[Brad93]

Pretty certain everybody does them. Certainly Wera, Wiha, PB Swiss, CK, even Draper.

I bought PB swiss but unfortunately the UK dealer is no longer so amazon only option.

 

[Seadog]

I've just bought a couple from CEF for £25 delivered.

NICEIC do one for under £4 if you're registered with them.

 

[Agroshield]

They are good to give to someone who asks to borrow a screwdriver as they are too tight to buy their own because the driver fits neither normal PZ nor normal slotted.

Another on the list of 'stuff you might not have seen' is a 1/4" hex. roofing bolt driver (probably intended for cable trays):

Armeg UK | Power Tool Drilling Accessories

Armeg designs and manufactures performance-quality power tool drilling accessories, for the ultimate in control and confidence. Visit Armeg's website for more.

www.armeg.com

 

[Brad93]

I've just bought a couple from CEF for £25 delivered.

NICEIC do one for under £4 if you're registered with them.

What brand?

 

[Blobber]

They are good to give to someone who asks to borrow a screwdriver as they are too tight to buy their own because the driver fits neither normal PZ nor normal slotted.

Another on the list of 'stuff you might not have seen' is a 1/4" hex. roofing bolt driver (probably intended for cable trays):

Armeg UK | Power Tool Drilling Accessories

Armeg designs and manufactures performance-quality power tool drilling accessories, for the ultimate in control and confidence. Visit Armeg's website for more.

www.armeg.com

Never new such a thing existed! just bought one

 

[frank horton]

our local mum n dad DIY shop sells em.....not quite so fancy €7......8's or 10's.........

 

[Seadog]

What brand?

Armeg

 

[Brad93]

PB Swiss

very nice

 

[Shox Dr]

Like buses. Dont see one for...

Had to replace the batteries on 2 toys this week, both with this type of screwhead.

 

[brightspark]

Those drivers do actually grip much better than standard posi/Philips on mcb screws etc.

I got a wera interchangeable set and there was a couple in there, never used them before but they are very good

View attachment 407955

thats what the drivers are made for -doing all the screws on distribution boards

 

[sparkysy]

They are great but I have snapped the tips on them, by them I mean the CK and Wiha versions on more than one occasion trying to undo over tightened MCB's from the bus bar.
Especially good where some numpty has rounded out the terminal using the wrong driver and this will still grip!
Sy