A screwdriver and a nut driver are both hand tools used for fastening, but they serve different purposes and are designed for different types of fasteners.
A screwdriver is a tool used to drive screws into materials or to remove them. It consists of a handle and a shaft with a tip that fits into the screw head. Screwdrivers come in various types, including flathead (slotted) and Phillips, among others, each designed to match the specific shape of the screw head. The primary function of a screwdriver is to apply torque to screws, allowing them to be driven into or removed from materials like wood, metal, or plastic.
On the other hand, a nut driver is specifically designed for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts. It resembles a screwdriver in appearance, with a handle and a shaft, but instead of a flat or cross-shaped tip, it has a socket at the end. This socket fits over the hexagonal shape of nuts and bolts, allowing the user to apply torque. Nut drivers are often used in applications where nuts and bolts are the primary fasteners, such as in automotive work, machinery assembly, and electronics.
In summary, the key difference lies in their intended use: screwdrivers are for screws, while nut drivers are for nuts and bolts. The design of their tips or sockets reflects this difference, with screwdrivers having flat or cross-shaped tips and nut drivers having hexagonal sockets.