Best screws ever

The head style you are refering to was originally patented and manufacured by a guy named Robertson here in Canada.
The history of the screw is convoluted with the second world war and some bad judgment on behalf of the US congress when choosing a head for factories during the war. ( hences the proliferation of the god awful philips head)

The best square heads are still made by Roberston and their screws fit the heads so accurately that they can be driven with one hand.
Of the newer additions to the square design I really like the Spax style sold at Lee Valley that conbines both square and philips style togerher with a new design screw body that cuts into the wood much easier.

Why do I know all this trivia? ;-)

As an aside, my cousin made living in the Arizona are peddling Robertsons and screws to electrical contractors 30 years ago.
They had never seen them and went nuts.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

I had hears that they were originally made in Canada.. I wasn’t sure that this was true since I can’t figure out what you use screws for int he production of head cheese and back bacon.. ha ha.

Thanks for the trivia above. It was interesting. I also am no fan of the Phillips head. I guess that I need to thank a Canadian next time I use a screw.

-- making sawdust....

The idea of having to use a Phillips head Grabber screw makes me shiver. I’m a big fan of the square head screws.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

I used a whole bunch of these last year and they are now on my shortlist.
They drive twice as easy as regular screws and pull the boards down with the larger finer tap on the head end.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

I had a long career in hardware. I’m so old, I can remember when only slotted screws were sold and people would absolutely refuse Phillips head screws. Phillips really got going in the mid 1970’s.

-- Chesapeake Bob, Southern Maryland

Seems to my recollection that they took off when the steel stud/drywall construction method became so popular for office construction.
Does that ring a bell with you too Bob?

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Square drives are my favorites, too!

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

This one makes me pretty happy for case work with MDF.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

The only place for Philips heads is in drywall. Their inate ability to cam out on high torque lead to the invention of the drywall gun. I tried to swap tips in a drywall gun for robbies to use on decks, but they just won’t cam out before they are set 1/4” below the surface

-- The only easy wood project is a fire

I’ve been using square heads for years, never stripped the head.

-- Gary Kalyn, Kalynzoo Productions

An interesting education on the subject. Wouldn’t have considered squares without reading this. Thanks.

-- "Those are my principals, if you don't like them....I have others." - Groucho Marx

who knew that so many would be interested in such a screwy topic?

-- making sawdust....

A hardware store was my first real job at 16. Worked there until my 30s. I remember when we sold drivers for something called Robertson screws but had never seen a Robertson screw.

We also had a much larger selection of slotted screws than phillips.

-- Father of two sons. Both Eagle Scouts.

i am in agreement with the square drive screws. Started using them with Kregs pocket hole and now use them for everything. The Re-usability is another great factor.

I remember growing up in Canada and Dad have a wall rack with Robertson Screw Drivers. But he never had the screws. Go figure.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

I built swings for a living before I retired and still build quite a few. I use square drive most of the time and torx when I find a special on them. I have found that people will blame the screw most of the time when they have problems with the rounding out (square drive) when most of the time it’s the bit that causes the problem. Even so called good bits will do this sometimes, so the first thing I do with a bit is either take a fine file or a diamond sharpner and make sure the bit is the same size from the tip to the main body. This will allow the bit to go futher into the screw head most on the time. I usually use Micro-Brite 500 screws, ( I have been finding them a lot latley on e-bay). By taking a couple of minutes with a file I can usually build 10 or more swings with the same bit and never have a problem.

-- BUILT TO LAST WOODWORKS, West Blocton, Alabama

Good tip .Something I had not considered before.
When old man Robertson owned the factory every bit fit every screw he made.
That quality control dosen’t exist now however.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

I just started using square head screws recently when I purchased the Kreg pocket hole system. I love these things. I will never use anything else. Since it seems you always have to buy a new tool (or two) to support the new tool, I had to get a new driver. I was using my Hitachi VS drill and did split out some wood because I couldn’t stop the drill in time. I picked up a Hitachi 10.8 Lithium-Ion driver and never looked back. I needed something with clutch so I could dial down the torque. I usually use some scrap wood of the same type I’m building with to help me ‘sneak up’ on the clutch setting. Then I’m usually good. A clutch will save you a world of headaches.

Lots of the larger driver bit sets have torx and square drivers in them now. I picked up a nice set at Lowes that had them.

I’m sold on these things. Like I said, I probably will never use anything else. Kreg, you have shown me the way!

-- Matt - My Websites - http://www.bestinwood.com - Hand Tools :: http://www.workshopgarage.com - Small Shops

I got to love the square head when I got my Kreg pocket rocket.

You can really go through a lot of screws when you use a Kreg.

I found a that Grizzly has the best price for the face frame screws.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

If Robertsons are not available to me when I go out to buy screws, I just go somewhere else. I have been using Robertson for as long as I have been playing around with wood.

Here in Canada, most guys are aware of the Robertson story. I never could understand why they never caught on in the states.

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/