For years we have carried a set of screwdrivers which mechanically capture the flange of a screw head.

These are particularly handy in electrical work, where you often have to insert a screw into a tight terminal strip. The photo above is of a pump relay board for the Marine Air air conditioning system, which we just replaced on Wind Horse.

Three types of screwdrivers are shown above. The top one is a conventional Phillips head driver. Next is a device for use with Phillips head screws which will hold the screw on the tip of the tool until you get it started into its hole – after which you switch to the conventional driver. Bottom is a flat screwdriver with an external spring-loaded pair of tongs (these external tong devices are available for Phillips head screws as well).

This is a close up of the Phillips head capturing tool.

This is the external prong type capturing device. This is a little harder to use in tight spaces, and it can be difficult to disengage the tongs – which is why we carry both types.

Better tool stores carry this gear (these tools were purchased at Sears). We carry a variety of sizes, and while they are not used often, when needed they are lifesavers.