Screw Driver, Reversible

Quick Answer: A reversible screwdriver has a double-ended blade with a different tip at each end, held in a socket in the handle. Pulling the blade out and turning it round gives the reversible screwdriver its second tip, usually slotted at one end and cross-head at the other.

Two Tips, One Handle

The blade is a straight bar with a tip formed at each end and a shaped middle section that locks into the handle so it cannot spin under load. The end not in use sits inside the handle, protected. Changing tips takes seconds and needs no other tool, which is why this pattern is popular in portable toolkits and for jobs where both screw types appear on the same equipment. The tip types and sizes on this blade can be confirmed with LabEquip.

The compromise is fit. A single blade offers only one slotted width and one cross-head size, so it will be right for common screws and wrong for very small or very large ones. It is a convenient everyday driver, not a replacement for a full screw driver kit.

The blade is held by friction, a spring clip or a magnet. If wear lets it work loose, it can fall out or wobble while turning, and the handle or blade should be replaced.

Care & Handling

• Push the blade fully home until it seats before turning.
• Wipe the blade and socket clean; grit stops the blade seating properly.
• Do not hammer the handle or lever with the blade.
• Replace the blade when either tip rounds, rather than forcing it.

Applications

• Everyday driver for technicians moving between labs and classrooms
• Student toolkits where space is limited
• Assembling kits and furniture that combine slotted and cross-head screws
• Field and outreach toolkits carried to schools and events

Specifications

Why Choose LabEquip

Lab technicians, maintenance staff and teachers who carry a small toolkit between rooms like the reversible pattern because one driver covers the two commonest screw types. Order it from LabEquip’s general lab products via the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the tip?

Pull the blade straight out of the handle, turn it end for end and push it back in until it seats fully. The tip that was hidden in the handle is now the working tip.

Why does the blade fall out of the handle?

The socket or clip may be worn, or the blade was not pushed fully home. Clean the socket, reseat the blade, and replace the handle or blade if it no longer holds.

Is it as strong as a fixed-blade screwdriver?

For normal screws it works well. A fixed blade with a longer, solid shank is better for very tight screws needing high torque, since the joint in a reversible driver can loosen with heavy use.

Which tips does the blade have?

Reversible screwdrivers usually pair a slotted tip with a cross-head tip. The exact tip types and sizes on this blade can be confirmed before ordering.

Can the blade be used in a power drill?

Not unless it has a shank designed for a drill chuck or bit holder. The blade is made to lock into its own handle and could slip or break in a power tool.

Why use a reversible driver instead of a bit driver?

A reversible driver has just one blade and nothing loose to lose. A bit driver offers more tip types but its bits have to be stored and kept track of.

Last Updated: September 2026