How do you insert screws?

[cliffp]

A very basic question I know, but I was assembling my sysport yesterday and having difficulty positioning the runners with one hand and inserting a screw with the other. I find that I can't easily hold a screwdriver with screw inserted in the end and get it started. How do you do it? Is the answer a stubby screwdriver that is short enough for the handle to be held and the screw engaged in the end or are there any fancy screwdrivers that will grip a screw so that you don't have to hold it in place with your finger? Maybe I should use a clamp that expands to clamp between the runner and the opposing wall of the sysport.

Any tips gratefully received.

 

[waynelang2001]

I tend to always drill a very small pilot hole first.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Most screwdrivers these days come with a magnetic tip. That should hold the screw just well enough to get it into the hole.

 

[neeleman]

Some manufactures have special screwdrivers or screw grippers to hold the screws.
Like the Wera and Felo below or you could magnetize the screwdriver itself with a separate magnetizer.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Some manufactures have special screwdrivers or screw grippers to hold the screws.
Like the Wera and Felo below or you could magnetize the screwdriver itself with a separate magnetizer.

That is a petty clever attachment... Not sure that I have seen one before.  Agree that the head should be magnetized enough to allow you to get the screw started.

Scot

 

[cliffp]

Many thanks for the replies. I will check out those screwdrivers, they look very interesting.

For some reason, my screws aren't sticking to any of my screwdrivers (they are Spax ones that cut their own hole - not sure of exact model).

I have tried using a spring loaded centre punch to make a sort of pilot hole which is just about enough for me to start it by hand.

 

[neeleman]

I assume they are not Stainless Steel screws because these are not magnetic!
The same with Brass or Copper screws.
Torx screws also hold better because of the longer bit tip that sticks in the screw.

 

[cliffp]

This is the one I went for:

http://www.stanleytools.co.uk/product/176107

It seems promising.

 

[Sparktrician]

A CXS with a right-angle attachment does wonderfully. 

[smile]