robertson screws and screwdrivers...

Robertson (square-drive) screws are increasing in popularity here in the States. The majority of the screws I use are Robertson, and I think they are great. However, Phillips still have their place – they help prevent overtightening in situations where that is a concern.

I think it can be hard to switch to something new. Why should I buy cassette tapes when I have perfectly good 8-tracks and a nice player? Why should I buy CDs when I just finished replacing all of my 8-tracks with cassettes? Why should I buy Robertson screws and drivers when I have 100 pounds (err … 45 kilograms) of Phillips screws and 27 Phillips drivers?

-- Coffee is best with a fine layer of sawdust on top. -- http://www.north40custom.com

I think the original screw was the slotted one, then the assembly line came about with drivers, the slot made it hard to align and once set would over tighten and strip. Phillip tip was design to solve the assembly line problem. it self centers then with the proper torque, releases. It was so successful that all the assembly line uses it. then the DIY saw that the factories were using it, and thought it must be the best. Phillip took advantage of this and made tons of money. Robertson is best for the craftsmans and builder, but assembly line wise Phillips still works.
I personally love those #1 robertson drive square head trim screws.

-- Thuan

Thuan is correct about the the assemebly aspect of the phillips screw. I worked designing automated
screwdriving machines for 10 years and mostly use them. That and torx were the most used.
I really like the torx best of all driver types. They have the most sizes which allows screws to be made
in proportion to their driver size.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

GaryK, I really like Torx, too, but haven’t seen many wood screws with Torx heads – it seems to have been adopted more by the machining and metalworking communities. I was using some high-strength screws with Torx heads for mounting cabinets, but they were outrageously expensive – 50 Torx screws cost as much as 5 pounds of similar Robertson screws.

-- Coffee is best with a fine layer of sawdust on top. -- http://www.north40custom.com

I have to assemble furniture that comes in from China a lot at work and HATE the allen screws they send with the pieces. I recently started using the screws with the square ends with the flat head like Norm uses. I really like them. They are much better at tightening down then the straight or Philips screwdriver. Really never thought about “to tight”. I just stop before it breaks. Hee Hee

-- JJohn

If you go to McFeelys Screws. You would see a lot of square head screws.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

As a long (40 years+) auto mechanic, I always thought that every time the auto manufacturers put some new fangled fastner on their cars it was because of some agreement with the tool makers to make all the mechanics out there go buy more tools. Plus till most of the mechanics get the new tools the customer is forced to let the dealership fix the car.

Just kidding, but having lived thru the metric conversion then the introduction of the torx along with a slew of other speciality tools to fit some odd-ball bolt on some obscure model I have several toolboxes over flowing with too many tools. British Standard is about the only set of wrenches & sockets I don’t own!

My wood screw “collection” is a simmilar conglomeration I still have boxes of old flathead screws that I only use if I REALLY want a piece to look old, or to restore an old piece. Lots of philips . But most new purchases are sq drive—as long as I can get them. I don’t worry about over torquing, the clutch on the driver usually takes care of that.

-- http://www.grandprairiewoodworks.com

Hmm I THOUGHT I replied to this, but must have forgotten to post it. I use ‘em all the time. HD sells combo head deck screws, and square drive SS screws, McFeelies has a good selection.

The reason I heard was that they even tho they were invented before the phillips, the crude power screwdrivers out there would snap off the screws, where the philips head would cam out and save the day. It kind of makes sense, I have snapped my share of Robertsons . . .

-- Fred, Springfield, Ma

I thought the real problem behind the spread of Robertsons screws was the marketing “strategy” of the fellow who invented them. He apparently felt companies should pay unreasonable licensing to use what we are now calling square drive screws… thereby using his idea but not buying into the unreasonable licensing. I just googled the company and a Wiki article shows up sketchily explaining the history. ...This Cliff Clavin moment brought to you by ….lol

-- ....next big purchase is wood for the next project, Mark

the way I heard it was that the Canadian invented the square-head and it was used at an American car manufacturing company and the car company said, “hey cool… we want them and you can’t sell them to anyone else.” The inventor said, (pun intended) “screw you” and took his invention and ran. The car company then invented the “star” (technical term, you know) to replace the now-not-available square.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Robertsons come in three different size heads, in Canada when I lived there we called them green (the smallest) red and black (the largest0

-- Ed Collinge- Edmonds, WA.

Beaver, I travelled all the way from Down Under to Canada last year with Robertson screws on my shopping list. Eventually bought some in Jasper of all places. Too expensive over here but luckily square drive screws are now fairly common in hardware stores. Much better than phillips head, in my opinion anyway.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

EdC, actually there are 4 sizes. Add yellow the smallest, to your list.

-- If we learn from our mistakes, I'm getting a fantastic education.