CHISEL VS. BIG SCREWDRIVER! (Which Is Better For Demolition?!)
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- Опубліковано 18 чер 2024
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I got a lot of questions about why I used a big screwdriver instead of a chisel to break out a door jamb in my old video. This new video from The Honest Carpenter will show compare chisels and "demolition" screwdrivers--and explain why big screwdrivers are the superior demolition tool!
Big "demolition" screwdrivers generally come in 10" and 12" models. I personally prefer the 10" model because it fits more conveniently in my tool belt. THOUGH, a 12" screwdriver will provide even more breaking power.
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CHISEL VS. BIG SCREWDRIVER EXPLANATION:
CHISELS: Chisels are really more of a tool for fine work. They're best used for paring wood, shaving wood surfaces, carving wood, and cutting down through (and across) wood grain. They can also be used for lightly prying wood.
BIG "DEMOLITION" SCREWDRIVERS: These screwdrivers are used less frequently on the jobsite for turning screws, and more frequently for breaking apart wood and wood structures (amongst other things).
REASONS BIG SCREWDRIVERS ARE PREFERABLE FOR DEMOLITION:
1) DURABILITY
Chisels require a very sharp edge to maintain their usefulness. When that edge becomes chipped or broken, the chisel loses much of its function. So on job sites, where carpenters come in contact with a lot of different materials, chisels will see more exposure to surfaces that can damage their sharp points.
Big screwdrivers on the other hand have a blunter tip to begin with, and a virtually indestructible steel shaft, along with an epoxy/resin handle. They can be struck with hammers or even mauls, from many angles, and can be used on wood, concrete and metal.
2) LEVERAGE
Most chisels are roughly 7" long. The big demolition screwdriver is 10-12" long! This provides 3 additional inches of leverage, which makes a very big difference when you're prying out wood components, or cracking them apart.
Also, which chisels can be used for some prying, too much force can damage them.
3) MULTI-TASKING
Big demolition screwdrivers can be used for probing, acting as wedges, and a number of other things. Chisels primarily only have one function.
4) TRANSFERRING FORCE
Big demolition screwdrivers can also be used to transfer force onto fasteners and areas you can't easily reach. The tip of the screwdriver can be inserted into a difficult-to-reach area, and the shaft can then be struck to drive the tip downward. This can help break concealed fasteners, or drive down nails that are standing proud.
Have any questions? Let us hear them in the COMMENT SECTION!
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A beater screwdriver like this really is a handy tool to have, not just for carpentry, it's essential when working on cars too.
Yep, I think mechanics can get even more use out of them, including 12” and longer. But this thing hardly leaves my hand on some jobs
I've been doing a lot of home remodeling the past year and a half and one of the most important tools has been the flathead screwdriver. From doing demo, to talking out staples, removing tile or scraping it's insane. 100% agree with this video!
Thanks BassMan! 😄
So true .... everyone needs one of these indispensable tools ....think I use my demolition screwdriver more now for opening up the ground prior to pounding in steaks or pegs
I've dug with mine tons of times, Ed. I'll often use it to quickly gouge up the footprint of a post hole just to mark the area (if I don't have spray paint or chalk). A million uses and counting 🙂 Thanks for watching!
Sometimes the best tool for the job is the one you can reach when you’re in a tight spot.
Love your videos.
Thank you Victor! Very true-as a one-man crew I learned that one fast 😄
People tend to not open their mind up to other possible uses for tools except for what they first learned what they are for... thankfully there is people who step out of the box and discover new uses for things
Thanks Nails2 Wood! I'm glad I got to see the versatility of this tool when I was much younger, so I've always known to keep one handy 😀
In 1974, I bought a set of Craftsman tools that included a 10" flat blade screwdriver. Within a month, I managed to chip a corner off of the tip. Of course, I could have returned it, but I happened to REALLY need a very narrow chisel for some reason at that time. Took it to the grinder and sharpened the tip to a cutting edge, and have carried it in my tool belt ever since - 45 years. Digging, prying, scraping, chiseling, etc. One of my most useful tools. I totally agree with you.
Absolutely agree, keep your chisels for tasks where a fine cutting edge is required and use demolition drivers for the rough stuff!
I have a Craftsman screwdriver that's just over 16" long. Makes a good pry bar that can be driven into a very tight space between boards. I rarely use it to drive screws.
You should see my “demolition screwdriver” that I got tucked away in my plumbing bag.. Lol.!
Lighten’ up folks..
PS- my Pops had one too that we nicknamed BigRed. It was a big ol’ Craftman screwdriver.
Thanks Gary! Any tool that sticks around long enough to earn a nickname is pretty dang reliable 😆
They make demolition screwdrivers that have a striking cap. My favorites are mayhew dominator, snap on, and the klein demo screwdrivers. I use them to pry calipers, flanges, spread open steering knuckles for lower balljoints, as a punch and chisel. Basically for anything i need to pry and punch on heavy duty equipment and trucks
This is great! I learn a lot from each of your videos. I have a demolition screwdriver that my dad passed down to me. I was always by his side when he did home and car repair and I never saw him use a chisel. I do like to understand the rationale and practical reasons behind why different tools are used. Thanks again for the very informative videos.
You're welcome, Dan! Thanks for watching! My dad is also the first person I saw use a big screwdriver for these purposes. He referred to it as "a tool with a thousand uses," or "the tool that does everything." Sometimes the simplest ones are the most useful 🙂
Nailed it! 😂 Now , I know what to call that poor , abused, handy, 'get "er done' tool I felt so guilty misusing. Free at last!
I have a large screw driver my grandfather gave me to pry 2 boards apart. He told me to keep it. 45 years later I still have it. And use it.
I just got through using my demolition screwdriver to break apart a cement block after I scored it with a diamond blade. This video rocks! Thank you for being real with how you approach your craft.
I was repairing my crumbling concrete steps outside my house recently and to help me clear away some of the loose concrete I used a demolition screwdriver because I saw this video. It made the job pretty easy. Thank you.
Great video :) I thought I was always doing the wrong thing by using my screwdriver to pull things apart & chip away at concrete lol 😂 - after watching this I feel like it’s ok now! Harha... Awesome video, thanks for sharing... 😀
I am more of a woodworker than a carpenter, but I really enjoy your channel. I knew exactly what you were talking about in your previous video, and thought it was a good use of the screwdriver. I've seen you actually use the screwdriver as a rough chisel in your videos, and thought it was an excellent use of the tool for the need you had. Great job and keep the videos coming!
Love your “honest” tool tips. Basic know-how for us DIYers. Thanks.
Well said! This old carpenter kept his good chisels at home, the screw driver is a great port in any storm. Great show!
Thank you, Peter! I appreciate you watching.
Thx HC. I found a demolition screwdriver dropped in the street a while back, took it home and attempted to tidy up the tip, whilst wondering why a screwdriver was so beaten up.
After watching your door jam video, I realised what its purpose is and now finding it a lot easier to start breaking things up - I've just taken out some stud walls in our laundry room
Great video. Another tip you didn't mention but probably already know: If it has a square shank (like yours, not like the Klein ones) when you do need to use it to turn screws, you can get a lot more torque using a wrench or pliers to help you turn stubborn screws.
The Milwaukee demo screw driver is a great tool for demo and rough work. Now I use it in HVAC work daily. Love it and it's a main tool on my belt.
I've used them for demo before, and it's great. I like your flat-sided hammer strike tip. 👍
Fantastic ! As a Bell System Lineman, Cable Splicer, and Installer I was never without my large “Bell System” flathead screwdriver. I don’t think I ever heard of one breaking.
where can one obtain a large "bell system" flathead screwdriver?
Great video. I just came into a small pile of tools and saw a very big screwdriver. I immediately thought "Hey that doesn't match my Stanley set. I should use it for prying and whatever." Good to hear I was not misusing a tool.
Giving away too many intimate secrets dude!!! 😆
I'll try to keep a few in the vault 😄
That’s why people watch. We are getting value, otherwise I’m out
Screwdrivers are made of either CrMo, CrV or S7. That's why they're so durable.
I also find cold chisels to be extremely durable.
Yup.....had my bigass janky screwdriver for years, can’t remember if I ever turned any screws with it, but I’ve used it for all kinds of stuff. Good vid!
I have an 8 or 10" Craftsman screwdriver that came in a set of 10 or 12 when my Dad bought them in the 80s. He worked for an equipment company that installed loading bay doors, dock levelers, truck scales and such. He used it for prying, chiseling, chipping and pretty much anything but turning screws and taught me to use it likewise.
Other comically large tools are fun to use too. I have a 1 1/2" box wrench of his that is probably 16" long and makes a good cheater bar. Many a stuck bolts sheared off with that thing...
In fact I think I've used that box wrench to gain additional leverage prying with the demolition screwdriver.
My go-to demo tools are a flat bar and a wonderbar, but I do keep one of these with me and it does come in handy.
One of my favorite tools to play with as a younger boy
Great vid. I never realised that a good screwdriver was so useful. Thank you so much.
You absulotly right, we have one in our toolbox when I was kide.it helped me in specific tasks around the house.
My Dad was a carpenter and he had a couple of these and made sure I had them too. Love the video Ethan!
Thank you, ansientwun! I appreciate you writing in with the memories :)
I’ve seen your channel around and appreciate the tips. I have found that this, the 5 in 1, cats paw , linemen pliers (Kline) and a good hammer are some of the most important tools for construction
i just flipped all the boards on my deck. The old average cat's paw worked far better than the updated Estwing. Long side to clear a space under the nail, paw to tear it up. Far less hammer swings than driving the new version into the wood and pry.
Cool vid! I have a couple long handle flathead screwdrivers, and like ‘em. They’re great when positioning is difficult, or height/ distancing is an issue. Another awesome function of these, is scraping. If you ever have done wood restoration, mold often is an issue. I have a dog eared wooden fence, that accumulated a lot mold at the upper part. The upper tier sits a few inches below either side of the fence, making it difficult to get to. The long handed screwdriver, worked really well scraping of the mold.
Great video!! Excellent conveyance of info!!
WOW! i had no idea they were that durable and useful. Thank you!
Great video! I like the tip on transferring force.
Thanks buddy! That's saved me some headaches 😄
I'm not a carpenter but I will sometimes use a screwdriver for demolition too. When I need to break something apart I don't want to use my nicely sharpened chisels because I don't know what maybe under the surface of the wood and I may chip the bevel of the chisel. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks John!
They are really good for jimmying doors too.
Love your videos bro!! Great job!! 👍
Yup - I’m a simple DIYer but discovered
how useful the large screwdriver is -
just as in your video.
I just used my 20-yr old big screwdriver to lower the strike plate (correct term?) on an interior door that wasn’t closing - following The Honest Carpenter’s YT video. Was concerned about striking the hammer on the screwdriver shaft directly, but voila it worked, and no damage. Between that and some other small repairs I’ve learned from this channel, my wife now thinks I’m some kind of handyman guru. Much thanks!
Great to hear, Tom! If there’s a way to destroy the big screwdriver, I’m yet to discover it 😆
I refer to my edc screwdriver I use as a Millwright as my multitool. And my 420 channel locks as my dogs. between the 2 of them I can do lots of small jobs without going back to the shop for more tools. People are always stopping me and borrowing them to finish a job because they know I always carry them. I tell them "that'll be a dollar". They just smile.
Very informative!! Great Video!!
So true! Been a carpenter in a cruise ship for 20yrs now. Our shop is full packed of carpentry tools, name it and we all have it. Despite of lots of different kinds of variety of chisels to choose from, I always carry with me that one flat-head screw driver for all purpose use and most especially for demolition!
That’s awesome, Beat! I’d love to be a carpenter on a cruise ship! 😁
@@TheHonestCarpenter
Nice to hear and an honor for us, but you are over qualified, Sir.😂 We are a mile away from your skills. Cheers! 🍻
Great content once again, thanks. Milwaukee offer a twin set, Phillips and flat blade demolition pack, great tools for this exact purpose, cheap at about $17.00 au. Recommended ,
Smacked mine with a lump hammer, can't break it. Bomb proof tools 👍
Having a farm we use our Big screwdriver for twisting in hooks, braking down pallets and sherring off old nails. Cat claws are handy too.
Very cool Masi in background, shows excellent taste!
I’m a carpenter and a mechanic. I always find myself reaching for my 10” Kolbalt slotted screwdriver. Heck, I stir food with it.. rofl
🤣🤣
Which applies more kinetic energy or force for fine precision points
Thanks! As a woodworker I'd never even consider using a chisel for demo! I paid $70 per chisel for my Blue Spruce paring chisels, and have Lie Nielsen socket chisels for mallet work (based on the old Stanley Sweetheart design). I have beaters for rough use, and chisel shaped objects for my wife to borrow for scraping. I never considered using a big screwdriver for demo! I think I'll pick up one for that!
I learned something new and useful. Thanks.
You're welcome, Dennis!
Great video,thank you
You're welcome, John! I appreciate the feedback :)
Great video. I have a craftsman “demo” screwdriver my dad left me 30+ years ago. I’ll be able to leave it for my son someday along with my good chisels that have never been used to demo
😍 Nothing like a shiny brand new tool But also love to grab my dad's Beaters When I don't want to muck up MY tools! 😁
The demo screw driver does have a nice sound to it:] I picture it being 4 ' long. I do use my screwdriver like this sometimes but i have good prybar and use the back of the hammer mostly. Today i sharpened a old screwdriver like a chisel and it works great lots of control when u turn your hand. I have learned about a wooden mallet. I always hit my chisel with a steel hammer as well turns out that is a bad idea. Old school carpentry is being lost and the young bucks need good old timers to teach:] Ty for sharing
Excellent!
Great video! Now I know of many more DIY uses for my old Craftsman screwdriver than turning slotted screws and stirring/mixing paint! LOL
Not only have I used my large screwdriver as a prybar, I have also used the handle as a small ballpeen hammer. Especially if my hammer wont work at the correct angle .
Never tried the ballpeen approach, NJ! Makes perfect sense though, given the handle profile. Another use to put in the memory bank 😀
I worked partition wall at a trailer factory and that big screwdriver was super handy.
Can't believe people felt the need to question the tools a carpenter uses daily. We learn what works by doing and watching more experienced tradespeople. A screwdriver is the original mult-tool. 😄
You are spot on using a big screw driver as an all purpose tool. They are indispensable. As a wood worker there are is no way in !@#$! that I would use my precision chisels for demo, not No but !@#$ NO!. One point, deforming hardware that is preventing you from doing something is OK but a better thing would be to grab your sawsall and cut it off. Cutting nails off is so much quicker than trying to get them to be have, unless you have a bigger hammer to hit them with!
Great video!
I do finish work, and I used an angle grinder to cut a tiny notch in the tip of mine. That way, if I only need to remove a couple brads from a workpiece to shift one part of it, I can just wedge it behind and the notch catches on the brad and tears it out. Also, if my brad nailer doesn't sink a brad all the way but it's not out far enough to grab with my fingers to break it off, I can use wedge it in the notch on my screwdrive and just spin the screwdriver until it pulls the brad out like spaghetti on a fork. I know I can use end cutters to cut the brad short and then hammer it down, but i like to pull the whole thing out
I need to remove exterior wood boards (2x5 for example) which is next to stucco. Will these be good tools to use to remove them without damaging stucco too much?
Excellent video on using screwdriver. I think any long regular screwdrivers like what you have should do demo job until I break one lol.
I'm always chipping out little bits of concrete with mine. Really handy. +1
Speaking as a free wheeling handy man ,retired contractor of 30 + years the demo size 8& 12 inch are essential in my tool bag .
Wow it is good
I picked up one of those the first video I saw you using it and it's been indispensable. Thank you for all your tips, please keep posting for less experienced DIY'ers like me!
That’s awesome, Ian! I’m really glad they’ve been helpful. I’m focusing more and more on topics for beginners, so I can guarantee more vids like this. Thanks for watching! 🙂
Also great for reaching inside the tank of a toilet to loosen or tighten the tank to bowl screws.
also great for breaking up a huge shit inside the bowl of the toilet so it can flush.
I use the Wera 7mm x 125mm "chisel driver ever day, it's an amazing screw drive its about 10 years old now still ok, the smaller ones have damaged tips but I just re grind them. I also have the next one up, more comparable to yours, that I use when I am doing lots of demo work, but I work with a lot of slotted screws and the 7mm head is much better at being a screw driver and that's pretty important so I use it more.
I couldn't recommend them more highly, the black and yellow ones with a full tang, they get used and punches, leaves, chisel, all sorts and seem to stand up well. Am sure I will brake the 7mm one day but hopfully no time soon
Nice Masi!
I used it a lot for taking off staples from streched canvas frames. Wood gets marked but canvas remains intact.
When doing demo id carry a beater chisel and screw driver. Both worked good. And it didn’t matter what happened to them. They were old and gonna get replaced soon anyway. I’d sharpen the chisel with an angle grinder.
But I started to carry a chisel knife. My good one is 1/4” thick 1095. It’s 1.5” wide. And like 10” long. I think it was made by pro tools.
I got a new smaller chisel knife made by Irwin for $7 from Walmart. Way better then the dewalt chisel knife.
But I might start to carry a demo screwdriver. They are stupid hard to break
Milwaukee just came out with a demo screwdriver with a metal striking head 👍👍
About time, Joseph! It's going on the wish list 😄
This video just gave me the idea to use tomahawks and throwing knives for demolition😂👍
I didn't know you grew up on a construction site that's super great reassurance ill be coming back more often!
Common sense stuff as always. Just love having permission from a pro to use a massive, crap screwdriver for demo work. Very smart, and thanks. Will ensure marking with crows foot, but no problem hammering a screwdriver, lol.
I always carry a "Wrecking chisel" in my bag. It's a cheap 1" chisel I bought for a few quid and it's never been sharpened. Wouldn't be without it.
I use my large screw driver to open paint cans. I use my subcompact cordless makita reciprocating saw more and more for demo.
Hard to replace a recip saw for zipping right through fasteners, PSJ W. When I've only got a belt though, my hand always goes straight for this tool--and I definitely use it for opening paint cans too :)
I was always afraid the big screwdriver would snap. Man its good to know just how durable it is.
and also a handy backscratcher
I would use a pry bar for those purposes yet I like a use for a screwdriver we don't have to use for screw driving due to obsolete standard head screws
Now I have a better name for my bang/screech screw driver. I have a tendency to the use demo screwdriver to bust components up and a 18" demo flat bar to tear components apart. Do you use flat demo bars?
I used a scredriver for years, but now I prefer to keep a 9 1/2 in and 14 in flat pry bar for those purposes. I’ve found them perfect for me and much easier to use than I did the screwdriver. Just my own opinion, tho
i been using these for 30 years its the best tool ever it can get you out of anything
what is your preferred size?
A up Bro, ye your right, I use to be a lorry Macanic, and in the Building trade,, I give up on chisels, steel to to weak
Wish I could post pics of my demo screwdriver on here! It is rough. LOL 🤣
I wish I had heard this tip years ago! I've always just used prybars, crowbars (!) and hammers for most demolition tasks. Problem with demo bars is that they're bulky and hard to keep in an apron. The big screwdriver would suffice for a lot of things, instead of walking back to the bucket to find the prybar.
As for cost ... who would want to pay $10-20 for a demo screwdriver? Swing by any garage sale and pick up 3 or 4 for a dollar!
How long in the shank on that screw driver? And do you know if the tip is 5/16 or 3/8?
I’m surprised that your raisin handle haven broke yet. Most of my friends that have demo screwdriver like yours have it with handle broken right at the end of metal shank.
Personally I been using 2 screw driver set you see on a left @7:12 for about 10 years. They have metal shank going all the way through and strike plate on the top.
Thanks for writing in Kris! I'm going to get some of those kleins at some point--glad to know they're helpful. But no, even after some serious abuse, the resin handle has hardly shown any damage. Hasn't even popped off the steel tang!
The Honest Carpenter ones I got are actually $10 Irvin set (I probably linked time stamp about 2 seconds too late). Added feature I really like on those they have + and - stamped on top to indicate shape of the head.
Problem I seen on ones with shorter tang is not handle coming loose but rather it breaks right where the metal ends and you end up with full tang screw driver with a rather short handle.
Demo screw drivers are awesome. Not only they are basically indestructible, maintenance free but they are also very low on list of tools that tend grow feet and walk away... since it’s “just a flat head screw driver” :)
I couldn't agree more. Give me a screwdriver!
I have an old 12” wooden handle screw driver that I use. It was my grandfathers. If the handle breaks I know I can make a new one easily.
same here in our home. another thing the big screw driver can do that was not mentioned is in our house it tends to be a self defence tool. hahaha
Everything the HC is doing w the screwdriver I do w my dull chisel, love my chisel, but yeah, anything I'd need more leverage to break apart takes the nail pull / crowbar..
i am 43 and my dad an so many more of my family always used big ass screwdriver to destroy material. i even used one on concrete before to slowly break some away. but you can never screw again after that.
When you say yours is 10 inches, are you referring to total length or length of the shaft?
I was just going to type "Dude, if they sold an item as demolition screwdriver, then everyone would shut up, because most of the complaints are being driven by the mentality that you're not using the tool for what it's made for". And then you show actual products that are sold as demolition screwdrivers! Awesome! You know that was originally done just to get "that guy" to pipe down.
Hit the nail on the head, WanJae42! I feel vindicated now 😄
shouldn't you use one with a metal end cap and the shank extending to the end of the handle?
Is there a specific term for big screwdrivers like this? When I search for it I always find the weaker ones.
Real trade guys has a large screwdriver with continuous metal through to end of handle.
Original multi tool.
Every tool has it main purpose !!