Abstract: A screw driving apparatus has a housing (1) for the drive system and a hollow screw guide member (2) rigidly secured to the housing (1). A screw driver blade (5) is axially displaceable in the hollow screw guide member and relative to a drive motor forming part of the drive system. This arrangement of the components results in a compact short structure with a handle located near the center of gravity of the structure. Hence, the apparatus can be operated by one hand only and an operator has his other hand free, for example, to hold a work piece (7).