Make a Screwdriver [ DIY Project ]

Introduction:

Many a times it is difficult to find the screw driver of the right size. Some of us have our favorite size we use most often and do wish we had one more of the same. To our dismay, despite a rigorous search across many a shops we might still fail to find it. If you have been in this or a similar situation, here is an easy way out, make one for yourself following these simple steps.

Construction:

Here is what you would ideally need. If you don't have the exact same stuff you can improvise and may come out with an even better idea.

• A screw of the required size. [ Temper it by making it red hot over a stove and then dropping it in  cold vegetable oil]
• A wooden piece.
• Superglue.
• Grinding wheel or File.
• Angle Grinder or Hacksaw blade.

For more details on tempering click here. First of all take the screw driver you wish to replicate and measure. The idea is to drill a hole in the wood and screw the screw in. Once screwed in the length of the screw + wood should match the total length of the existing screw driver. Mark a point adding the extra length for the screw inside the wood.

Once this is done cut the wood and proceed to drill the hole at the exact center of the wood. Make sure that you use the right size drill bit and ensure that you drill the hole exactly perpendicular to the surface of the wood. 

Now proceed to screw the screw into the hole that you drilled. Make a mark on the screw at the depth you should stop or tie a string at the point so that you know exactly where to stop driving the screw in.

Add a drop of superglue at the point where the screw enters the wood. This will strengthen the wood as the glue penetrates into the wood and also aid in fastening the screw securely. Once the screw is secured properly, use a file or cutting wheel to cut off the screw's head.

Now proceed to form the tip of the screw driver. You can use a file or a motorized grinding wheel to shape the tip according to your required size.

Occasionally compare the tip with your existing screw driver for width, slope and thickness at the tip. The thickness at the tip is very crucial to get the correct grip on the screw.

One you are happy with the result proceed to finish and paint the screw driver. For ease of painting, storage of paint and quick drying I highly recommend using the compressed can of paint that you get to buy in most hardware stores. 

Hope you found this interesting and useful.

Regards,

Joseph