Among the first things to put into consideration when starting a watch-repair journey is a watchmaker screwdriver. These tools are designed for intricate and precise work needed for watchmaking. Throughout your journey for watchmaking, you will need different types of watch screwdrivers.
The Importance of a Good Watchmaker Screwdriver
It is a common practice for most of us to decide to buy a cheap and small screwdriver so we can take apart our wristwatches. But as you start using those screwdrivers, you start realizing why you bought them cheaply. A cheap watchmaker’s screwdriver often has imperfections that you can’t find in a good and quality screwdriver. For instance, blades of cheap screwdrivers are made of soft metals – meaning, they quickly lose their profile, resulting in damaging and slippage of screwheads. They as well lack a very decent action on top of a handle. These differences are acceptable in a large tool, but when working on a delicate part with 1mm size, it will be best to have precision quality and good control.
Types
Different kinds of screwdrivers are often determined by their drive tip shapes that often corresponds with a specific head type of a screw. But other types of screwdrivers are intended for a particular industry or are application-specific. Here are common screwdrivers you can use in your watchmaking journey:
- Star or Torx Screwdrivers – Whether you know them as Torx, six-point, star head, or pointed screwdrivers, all these versions are the same. Torx is basically the trademark for a screw head type with six-point star-shaped intrusion. This type of screwdriver ensures that you can apply torque, especially in the mechanical production.
- Flathead Screwdrivers – The flat or slot-headed screwdrivers are common hand tools. They have flattened tips for screws with straight linear intrusions across their heads. Because of that, they serve multi-purposes, and you may use them for various applications.
- Insulated Screwdrivers – These types are also referred to as safety screwdrivers. They are vital for safety measures in hazardous situations. They are mostly made of a non-conductive material, like rubber.
- Philips Screwdrivers – They are also called cross-head screwdrivers, and are among the common types of screwdrivers. These are mainly designed to fit every screw with a Phillip head, which has a cross-shaped recess.
- Torque Screwdrivers – Don’t confuse these with Torx screwdrivers. Screwdrivers with a torque are same as torque wrenches. Both are applied in specified torques, which are meant to be enough, not excessive.
- Impact Drivers and Electric Screwdrivers – Generally, cordless or electric screwdrivers compact power tools, which are suitable for different tasks, like screwing into a softwood and other similar materials. On the other hand, impact drivers are important for more heavy-duty screwdrivers. They are mostly intended for jobs, such as loosening or tightening fasteners using a force to drive from denser and harder materials.
In conclusion, you will need a good screwdriver in addition to tweezers so you can be able to work on watches. A good set will last for many years. But if you are unable to buy them in a set, opt for the most popular size and buy the rest when you have enough money to do so.
