Screw Head Types....

Justaguy

Senior Member
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Joined
Jan 9, 2014
Messages
317
Location
Arlington, TX
Can someone please explain to me why we need 50 different screw head types? I understand the need for different torque requirements but c'mon, man. Do you mean to tell me we can't get the same results with just a standard hardened Phillips head on 99% of the stuff out there? I have to carry a smorgasbord of screw heads to work on stuff. If I don't have it with me I have to run to a hardware store to get the right size of the particular head. What a pain!

OK, I'm done. Time for my meds.... Carry on.
 
Hey Dean,

Good rant :).

From the "outside looking in", the problem is that the US is the only country in the world not using the metric system of fasteners. The Phillips screw head was never a good design. The driver "cams out" really easily, particularly if the driver is worn at all. The Robertson (Canadian designed square drive) screws that hold your Grand Design together will not cam out and the driver will hold the screw, so you can install it with one hand.

So endeth the " counter rant" :D.

Rob
 
Hey Dean,

Good rant :).

From the "outside looking in", the problem is that the US is the only country in the world not using the metric system of fasteners. The Phillips screw head was never a good design. The driver "cams out" really easily, particularly if the driver is worn at all. The Robertson (Canadian designed square drive) screws that hold your Grand Design together will not cam out and the driver will hold the screw, so you can install it with one hand.

So endeth the " counter rant" :D.



Rob

Leave it to my fellow Canuck Rob to beat me to the screw head history lesson. Long live the Robertson !!!!
 
Hey Dean,

Good rant :).

From the "outside looking in", the problem is that the US is the only country in the world not using the metric system of fasteners. The Phillips screw head was never a good design. The driver "cams out" really easily, particularly if the driver is worn at all. The Robertson (Canadian designed square drive) screws that hold your Grand Design together will not cam out and the driver will hold the screw, so you can install it with one hand.

So endeth the " counter rant" :D.

Rob
I have to agree. Stainless Phillips seem to be the worst. Metric is the way to go unfortunately US sticks to it along with the dreaded slot head.
Scott
 
Hey Dean,

Good rant :).

From the "outside looking in", the problem is that the US is the only country in the world not using the metric system of fasteners. The Phillips screw head was never a good design. The driver "cams out" really easily, particularly if the driver is worn at all. The Robertson (Canadian designed square drive) screws that hold your Grand Design together will not cam out and the driver will hold the screw, so you can install it with one hand.

So endeth the " counter rant" :D.

Rob


Man, I have built a lot of stuff (metal and wood) and Phillips head had always done just fine. The plastic LPG support strap broke and I wanted to replace the straps. The #2 square head rounded out the screw head. I couldn't get them out. It is a mess. I used some Phillips self tapping screws next to it. I know what you saying but Phillips has worked forever. I hate having to use so many heads for what seems to be simple uses. But, I guess that's just me.
 
It may be Canadian, but the Robertson head seems to be the RV industry standard. Only 2 sizes in my whole rig, so it's nice to just need 2 head sizes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I prefer the Torx screw head myself. Automotive folks made me like them because there must be 8 different size heads requiring a different driver every time I turn around !!
 
Rob-- if I had 1/2 your intelligence I would be 3 times as smart ! -- is my math correct ? -- not factoring in the exchange rate of course !

Dan
 
Here are my $0.02 worth on the subject. By the way, when was the last time you say a cents symbol on the keyboard? ¢

Phillips head screws are okay for small applications like electronics, etc., but should not be used where any kind of torque is required. I find the head strips out too easily.

Slotted screws should be banned completely. Unless on a vintage Chris Craft. :)

Robertson head screws should be used in just about all other applications. Torx head are good for high torque applications, as long as the proper size driver is used. If I had 5¢ for every T27 that got stripped out because a T25 driver was used...
 
"Murphy's Law: The Torx bit you need is the one size out of 8 that you misplaced/lost/broke."

It also must be the slogan for Matco Tools Distributor !! It's a true love/hate relationship. (don't ask how I know) What do you need to work on a LB7 DMax ? - Every Torx screwdriver, socket/bit, long reach/short shank made, and a 6 pack of beer in a torx shaped can!! They also come in handy when changing a headlamp on a Caddy SUV. Everything else is held together with plastic plugs, but to change a headlamp?!! :confused: oh me.
 
"Murphy's Law: The Torx bit you need is the one size out of 8 that you misplaced/lost/broke."

And then, when you go to buy a new bit, you find that you can buy a complete new set for about the same money as one.
So the drawer full of "spares" of the sizes you never use . . . continues to grow !

Rob
 

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