3 Slot Screwdriver Bit

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How much do slotted screwdrivers cost? Most slotted screwdrivers range from $10 to $30 in price. What are the shipping options for slotted screwdrivers? All slotted screwdrivers can be shipped to you at home. What is the top-selling slotted screwdrivers product? The top-selling slotted screwdrivers product is the Milwaukee 5/16 in. Multi-Bit Screwdriver / Nut Driver, 11-in-1, Ph, Sl, Sq, Torx Bits 1000V Insulated Tool Kit, 5-Piece Multi-Bit Electronics Screwdriver, 4-in-1, Phillips, Slotted Bits. Slot Bits The 'slot' or 'slotted' drive system is one of the oldest fastening systems, and it is the most simple. Cam-out is much more likely with drive systems that have fewer points of contact between the bit and the fastener, like the slot system. With the fewest points of contact of any system, slot bits cam-out at very low torque. Insert bits feature a compact design, and power screwdriver bits are longer for higher torque and hard-to-reach applications. Both are designed for easy change-out in production use. A double-end drill bit set can offer the versatility of Phillips and slotted ends. Find torx, hex and square-recess screwdriver drill bits, too.

Insert and power drive bits are available to meet a huge variety of fastener styles including Phillips, Slotted, Torx®, Torx Plus®, Torx® Tamper Resistant, Torx Plus® Tamper Resistant, Pozidriv®, Sel-o-fit®, Quadrex®, Frearson, B.N.A.E., Socket Head, Square Recess, Torq-Set®, MorTorq®, Tri-Wing®, Hi-Torque® and Triple Square.
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3 Slot Screwdriver Bits

Phillips Bits

Click here to see how to select the correct Phillips point size.

Slotted Bits

Click here to see how to select the correct Slotted Bit.

Torx® Bits

Torx® fasteners are becoming more and more common in automotive and appliance assembly. Apex provides a full selection of bits for Torx screws.

Torx Plus® Bits

Torx Plus® bits and fasteners feature a greater engagement area for higher torque transfer and reduced camout when driving Torx Plus® fasteners. They can provide up to 100% more drive cycles. Torx Plus® bits are not compatible with standard Torx® fasteners.
Click here to see the difference between Torx® and Torx Plus® bits.

Pozidriv® Bits

The shallow 'cross' indention in the screw head identifies a Pozidriv® fastener. The Pozidriv® bit and recess design provides contact than a standard Phillips for more torque with less possibility of camout.
Click here to see the difference between a Phillips and a Pozidriv® screw.

Sel-O-Fit® Bits

Sel-O-Fit® bits are designed to provide a more efficient means of driving Pozidriv® screws. The Sel-O-Fit® bit places torque on the strongest and most mechanically advantageous portion of the driver tip. This allows more torque to be applied while minimizing the possibility of breakage and camout. Sel-O-Fit® is a registered trademark of Cooper Industries.

Quadrex® Bits

The Phillips/square screw drive, also known as the Quadrex® or SPAX screw drive, is a combination of the Phillips and Robertson screw drives. While a standard Phillips or Robertson tool can be used, there is a dedicated tool for it that increases the surface area between the tool and the fastener so it can handle more torque.

Frearson Bits

The Frearson recess is designed so that any size bit will fit any size recess. Choose bits on the basis of body diameter - the larger the screw, the larger the body diameter.

B.N.A.E Bits

French recess bits. The name comes from the Bureau de Normalisation de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace.

Socket Head Bits

Click here to see how to select the correct SAE Socket Head.
Click here to see how to select the correct Metric Socket Head.

Socket Head with Square Drive

We carry Socket Head Bits with Square Drive Adapters in both SAE and Metric measurements. The socket head bit is one of the most common screw drives. It is used in automotive repair, technology and heavy industry sectors, and the aviation industry.

Square Recess Bits

A square, also known as a Robertson, screw drive has a square-shaped socket in the screw head and a square protrusion on the tool. Both the tool and the socket have a taper, which makes inserting the tool easier, and also tends to help keep the screw on the tool tip without the user needing to hold it there.

Pipe Plug Inserts

For pipe plug inserts use SC and RP bit holders found here.

Torq-Set® Bits

Torq-Set® is a cruciform screw drive used in torque-sensitive applications. The Torq-Set® head is similar in appearance to a Phillips drive in that it has a cross with 4 arms. In Torq-Set® however, the arms of the cross are offset from each other, so they do not align to form intersecting slots across the top of the head.

Mor Torq® Bits

The Mor Torq® drive, developed by the Phillips Screw Company, is a format used in automotive and aerospace applications. It is designed to be a lightweight, low-profile and high-strength drive, with full contact over the entire recess wing reducing risk of stripping.

Tri-Wing® Bits

The Tri-Wing®, also known as triangular slotted, screw drive has three radial slots. It is usually used on electronics equipment. Tri-Wing®, as the name suggests, is a screw with three 'wings' and a small triangular hole in the center. A variation is a kind where the three 'wings' are joined in the center (with no triangular hole).

Hi-Torque® Bits

The Hi-Torque® recess was designed to provide very high installation and removal torques, very shallow recess for use on 120° and 130° flush fasteners in thin skins, and to reduce the need for end-load of the driver by the operator while installing and removing screws.

Triple Square Bits

Triple square, also known as XZN, is a type of screw drive with 12 equally spaced tips, each with a 90 degree angle. Its name derives from overlaying 3 equal squares to form such a pattern with 12 right-angled tips

Finder Sleeves

A finder sleeve makes it easy to engage slotted fasteners with the bit. It guides the bit so there is less 'searching' for the proper alignment between blade and slot.

Industrial Bit Kits

Tool kit includes plastic carrying case with bits.
Tool CobberPower ToolsDrillingAccessoriesScrewdriver Bits

A screwdriver bit is a tool for driving screws and one that can be fitted to most drilling power tools. All screws have a head with a contour such that an appropriate screwdriver tip can be engaged in it in such a way that the application of sufficient torque to the screwdriver will cause the screw to rotate.

Each screwdriver bit has different types of shanks and tips to suit different screws and applications – all are described in depth below.

Styles

All screwdriver bits have what is known as a ¼” hex shank, and are able to fit into any drill with either a keyed, keyless, or ¼” (6.35mm) hex drive chuck. There are three styles of screwdriver bits available.

Insert Bits

Insert bits have an extremely short shank, cost the least out of all screwdriver bits, and are designed to clip into a magnetic bit holder.

Power Bits

Power bits are designed to fit straight into a drill’s chuck, but as they are of longer length, replacement costs are a little higher.

Double Ended Bits

Double ended bits feature a screwdriver bit on either end (either the same or different types). They can potentially give the screwdriver bit double the life of either an insert bit or a power bit at much less than double the cost. It is important to note though that due to the nature of their design they will not fit into a ¼” (6.35mm) hex drive chuck.

Types

There are many different types of screw driver bits available on the market, but here is an overview of the most common.

When using high-torque fastening tools like cordless impact drivers, it is important to purchase screwdriver bits that are rated for this type of use so as to ensure the bit’s longevity.

Phillips Bits

This is the most common type of screwdriver bit in Australia; mainly because they drive the most popular type of screw. Created by Henry F. Phillips, the Phillips screw driver was purposely designed to cam-out when the screw stalled, to prevent the fastener damaging the work or the head, instead damaging the driver. Philips bits look very much like a cross, and come in a range different sizes – #000, #00, #0, #1, #2, #3 and #4 (#2 is the most common).

Pozidrive Bits

The Pozidrive screw driver is an improved version of the Phillips screw drive with an additional four contact points. These points decrease the likelihood the bit will cam-out, which allows greater torque to be applied. This design also provides a greater driving surface and decreases wear. They come in three main sizes – #1, #2 and #3 (#2 is again the most common).

Slotted Bits

Slotted head screws aren’t very common anymore, but used to be the most popular type of screw available. Screwdriver tips are still made for them however, and the gauge of screw they drive defines their size. They aren’t often seen in applications where a power tool would be used however as the driver bit tends to slip out of the head and can potentially damage the surrounding material.

Torx Bits

Torx bits are shaped like a 6-sided star and are used on anything from cars to consumer electronics. They resist cam-out better than Phillips or slotted bits, and were specifically designed with this purpose in mind due to the improvements in torque-limiting automatic screw driving tools. Sizes range from T1 through to T20.

3 Slot Screwdriver Bit Set

Tamperproof Torx Bits

Tamperproof Torx Bits are a variant on standard torx bits. Instead of being solid, they have a hole in their centre to accommodate security screws, and to prevent the use of standard torx bits. They are generally used on anything that people don’t want you to have access to, and sizes again range from T1 to T20.

3 Slot Screwdriver Bit Screwdriver

Internal Hex Bits

Basically an allen key that you can put in your drill, these hex bits are commonly used when assembling DIY furniture and for locations where surrounding obstacles limit allen key access. The standard size for most hex-drive screws is 5mm.

Square Recess Bits

Square recess bits (also known as Robertson bits) were invented in 1908 by P.L. Robertson, a Canadian. The head has a slight taper which makes inserting the bit and keeping the screw on the bit a great deal easier. They are a lot more reliable than Phillips and slotted bits if you are trying to avoid cam-out, but in modern times are slowly being replaced by hex bits. These bits can be found in sizes #1, #2 and #3.

Nutsetters

Nutsetters are similar to a hex bit, except they fit over their corresponding screws (in this case, tek-screws), rather than into them. They come in three main sizes – 1/4”, 5/16”, and 3/8”. Sometimes these sizes will be slightly small for the screw at hand. In this case, the nutsetter you require may be in metric (i.e. instead of a 3/8” (9.38mm) nutsetter, you may need a 10mm). They are ideal for handling the torque on applications where impact drivers are used.

Drywall Bits

Drywall bits are phillips screwdriver bits with a metal ring around them. This ring sits just below the end of the phillips bit and upon screw driving, the ring presses up against the material and stops the screw from being driven below the material’s surface.

Torq Bits

Torq bits are very similar to phillips bits, but each arm of it’s cross-like shape is offset from it’s opposite. It is a tamper-resistant style of screw drive, and is most frequently used for aerospace applications.

Tri-Wing Bits

Screwdriver Bits For Drills

As the name suggests, Tri-Wing bits have three evenly spaced slots and are predominantly used on consumer electronics to discourage home repair. They are available in sizes #1 through to #4.

Spanner Bits

Also known as “Snake Eyes,” Spanner Bits fit into their respective screws via two small round symmetrical pins. They are security bits, and come in sizes #4, #6, #8 and #10.

Tri-Lobular Bits

Tri-Lobular Bits are also known as TP3® Bits, and are becoming increasingly common on consumer electronics, security doors and many other tamper-proof applications.

Socket Adaptors

Socket adaptors give you the ability to attach sockets to a drill, allowing you to tighten nuts or screws that are too big for nutsetters. In order to fit most size sockets, they are available in the main three drive sizes – 1/4”, 3/8“, and 1/2”.

Manufacturer’s warranties do not cover the misuse or abuse of sockets, and if your socket fractures as a result of use in a power tool, it is considered misuse. Special sockets called impact sockets are available for high torque fastening applications.

Operating Tips

The following tips will preserve the life of your screws and screw driver bits, and will also increase your efficiency.

Bit
  • To prevent slipping and/or stripping of the screw head, apply ample pressure to the bit and keep it perfectly in-line with the screw.
  • It is ideal to have a drill with a variable speed trigger, as it is extremely helpful for an accuracy standpoint if your drill can reach very slow speeds.
  • A power tool with a clutch (such as a cordless screwdriver or a cordless drill) is even better, as you can preselect the driving depth.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must always be worn when operating power tools. For more information on PPE and power tool safety, click here.

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