Alternatives to a Screwdriver in a Pinch

We've all been in that pinch before. Something needs fixing. Something needs put together. And you can't find the screwdriver. You've looked high and low, you've checked all the junk drawers and that pile of unorganized tools in the garage, but you can't find a screwdriver and the fixing won't wait.

When you are using a substitute screwdriver, make sure you don't strip the screw. Phillips head screws are the most common type, but they're very easy to strip if you're not careful.

Go slow with your screwdriver alternative and stop if you start to strip the screw. Stripped screws are very difficult to remove, even with the right screwdriver, so be careful. It's better to go buy a new screwdriver than to strip the top of a screw that may be impossible to remove later on.

Screwdriver Alternatives

In a pinch, there are a handful of things you can use instead of a screwdriver. If you've got spare change, coins can often be used in place of a flathead screwdriver. We like using pennies or dimes, but if you need to, you can always pull out a quarter for a bulkier screw.

You can also use the flattest edge of a butter knife to remove a screw. This trick does work best with flathead screws, but in a pinch, you can use the tip of this knife to remove Phillips head screws too.

If you've got washers laying around, these handy circles often work well to remove screws too. Soak a stuck screw with WD-40 and then attack it with the washer after the screw sits in the solution for at least ten minutes.

A little vinegar or coke also works to loosen up a stuck screw, but make sure you don't put any of these liquids on screws attached to electrical wires.

CDs can also be used as a pseudo screwdriver, but be careful not to break them. We've also used pliers on particularly stubborn screws and once, in a real pinch, we used the small end of a veggie peeler and yes, it worked.

Safety First

As always, when you're working with tools, or in this case fake tools, it's really important to be safe. Think through your choice of alternative screwdriver carefully. You want to avoid breaking something or getting cut.

When possible, use an alternative solution made of strong metal that won't bend as you unscrew the stuck screw.

Keep a first aid kit on hand just in case of accidents. You can compile your own first aid kit or purchase a pre-made one online.

Organize Your Tools

If you find yourself losing screwdrivers more than you use them, start by solving your organizational problem. Firstly, we recommend that you go full Marie Kondo on your garage or tool shed.

Get rid of old tools, scrap wood, and anything else that is cluttering your space up. Once you have donated all of your old tools, it's time to organize the tools that you do have.

We love using pegboards to organize tools in the garage. Attach your pegboard to the wall and use hooks and other attachments to display your tools in an intuitive fashion.

Using a pegboard helps because you can see all of the tools laid out in front of you. Pegboards also give you a spot for every tool in your tool belt, so there's never an excuse to set a pile of screwdrivers down on the ground in your garage again.

If you don't have a lot of space, use clear, stackable containers to hold your smaller tools. Making sure the containers are clear will ensure that you can always tell what tools are where.

Place the containers in an easy-to-access place so you don't have an excuse not to reach for the right tools when fixing-duty calls.

Once your tools are nice and organized, it's time to buy new tools... right?