Why do we use phillips screws instead of all flathead screws?

[JohnnyAnnalog]

Originally posted by: RossGr

Originally posted by: JohnnyAnnalog

Originally posted by: KenGr
Phillips head screws are much faster for manufacturing. Try to seat a slotted screwdriver while assembling things on an assembly line. Imagine trying to install drywall with slotted screws. You would be lucky to get half the production.

(NOTE: You mean slotted screws. Flathead screws come in both slotted and Phillips head.)

I prefer the Robertson screw over the Philip screw, because the Robertson fit more snug & IMHO the best for use with the power tool.

As for dry walling, I much prefer the Robertson over the Philip if I can get them. There are more Philip screw in the market, because it is an American design therefore it have a monopoly over the market compare to the better Robertson design.

And the worst design has to be the slot head that should be fade out due to the invention of the power drill/screwdriver.

History of Screw and Screwdrivers

By Roberson screw, do you mean square or hex drive? If so, hex drives are in very common use on high tech tools. That is all we have, with the occasional Phillips thrown in to keep you guessing. I am an L-wrench artist, and will bet Wingnut is also. The reason that hex drive does not reach the home user is expense, they tend to cost a bit more. But rest assured that they are very common in some circles.

square

 

[MacBaine]

My god... you people are talking about your favorite types of screws. These are the kinds of posts people link to on other forums to make fun of.

 

[Ornery]

People on other forums have to have their daddies come and fix sh|t for them, 'cause they don't know their dick from a screwdriver.

 

[Eli]

If you use the right sized screwdriver for the screw, you shouldn't have problems with stripping unless the screw is really stuck.

 

[ctcsoft]

"as i scrape my knuckles"

whoever invented flat head screws needs to be SHOT.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: MacBaine
My god... you people are talking about your favorite types of screws. These are the kinds of posts people link to on other forums to make fun of.

No we are talking screw drivers....my favorite type of screw has her .... nevermind

Å

 

[Tetsuo]

Robertson > all

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: smashp
in a perfect world we would use torx or hex heads. But they have their downsides also

ick. torx are worse than slotted. try getting a rusted out torx bolt off of your car or truck.

also, have you tried (the OP) using slotted screws? if you use the proper screwdriver and use quality hardware you won't have problems with phillips screws stripping. much easier to work with as well.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: mugsywwiii
The reason the phillips screw was invented was to allow the screwdriver to "torque-out" of the screw rather than break the screw head off if you over-tighten it. It's also easier to hold the screwdriver in.

not entirely true

philips head screw was invented for aseembly-line manufacturing. People using powertools would sometimes slide off the head and scratch the product, this wont happen with a philips head screw

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: smashp
in a perfect world we would use torx or hex heads. But they have their downsides also

Whoever invented Torx and allen-head screws and bolts should have been shot at birth. I especially hate it when allen-head steel bolts are used in aluminum metal. I have snapped more than one allen socket (Craftsman) trying to remove allen-head bolts, and I have stripped more Torx sockets than I care to remember. The small Torx and small allen-head screws strip out far too easily.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Colt45
triple-square is my favorite. not very common at all though.

The CV joints on my car use triple square bolts (AKA "12 point" or "star") and the blasted things stip like nobody's business. Regular hex-head bolts work so much better.

Personally, I don't like any of those "internal" set-ups. I know that they are necessary to have the screws go in flush so I'll live with them, but give me a hex-head bolt any day.

ZV

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Whoever invented Torx and allen-head screws and bolts should have been shot at birth. I especially hate it when allen-head steel bolts are used in aluminum metal. I have snapped more than one allen socket (Craftsman) trying to remove allen-head bolts, and I have stripped more Torx sockets than I care to remember. The small Torx and small allen-head screws strip out far too easily.

ZV

Sounds like a 'seize' problem...if that's the case I have rounded 1/2" bolts without anti-sieze compound with a 6 point socket. Once the different metals merge the only saviour is prayers to the almighty and helicoil Gods.

Å

 

[JC]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: smashp
in a perfect world we would use torx or hex heads. But they have their downsides also

Whoever invented Torx and allen-head screws and bolts should have been shot at birth. I especially hate it when allen-head steel bolts are used in aluminum metal. I have snapped more than one allen socket (Craftsman) trying to remove allen-head bolts, and I have stripped more Torx sockets than I care to remember. The small Torx and small allen-head screws strip out far too easily.

ZV

Word. And you better have top-quality Torx bits, or they twist and break. And then there's 'tamper-proof' Torx as if regular Torx are so easy to deal with!

As for slotted vs phillips heads, slotted should be banished from existence :|

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Whoever invented Torx and allen-head screws and bolts should have been shot at birth. I especially hate it when allen-head steel bolts are used in aluminum metal. I have snapped more than one allen socket (Craftsman) trying to remove allen-head bolts, and I have stripped more Torx sockets than I care to remember. The small Torx and small allen-head screws strip out far too easily.

ZV

Sounds like a 'seize' problem...if that's the case I have rounded 1/2" bolts without anti-sieze compound with a 6 point socket. Once the different metals merge the only saviour is prayers to the almighty and helicoil Gods.

Å

Yeah, I know it's seizing from electrolysis. Still, I've never had problems with normal hex-heads. Impact tools don't seem to like allen-head and triple-square when I use them. In any case, I never have problems with things that I put together seizing unless I want them to seize. Every bolt I put in is coated with either anti-seize or "Loc-Tite" depending upon what the application calls for.

ZV

 

[RossGr]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: smashp
in a perfect world we would use torx or hex heads. But they have their downsides also

Whoever invented Torx and allen-head screws and bolts should have been shot at birth. I especially hate it when allen-head steel bolts are used in aluminum metal. I have snapped more than one allen socket (Craftsman) trying to remove allen-head bolts, and I have stripped more Torx sockets than I care to remember. The small Torx and small allen-head screws strip out far too easily.

ZV

Ahh! using that Ball end to break loose a screw, perhaps? That is a big no-no with the guys I work with. How to make a tough job even tougher.

Here is the not so uncommon scenario:

Since you can't see screw, you have feel it with your fingertips, then bring in the allen and hope you get it started. Of course the Ball end is MUCH easier to engage, but then "ping" now you have the broken off ball end stuck in an invisible screw.

And you thought you had problems when you started!

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: Tetsuo
Robertson > all

That should have been the end of the discussion.

 

[TechnoKid]

What about pozidrive? Isn't that better than a regualr phillips head?

 

[Electric Amish]

I hate slotted. They are a PITA to get the tip of the driver on, especially if you're using a powertool.

 

[Thraxen]

Give me slotted anyday. I HATE trying to find the correct size Phillips screw driver. Too easy to strip without the correct size. You don't have to be as exact when trying to match up a flat head to a slotted screw. I'm not the craftsman type by any means, so I don't have dozens of screw drivers around from which to choose.

 

[TechnoKid]

Most phillips are #2. (or the most common I should say)

 

[LS20]

screw screws!

if you cant duct it... fuct it!

 

[Amorphus]

Originally posted by: Eli
If you use the right sized screwdriver for the screw, you shouldn't have problems with stripping unless the screw is really stuck.

btw - philips is great. I hate using power tools on slotted screws - it twists, I keep pushing, it suddenly flies off, I gouge whatever's underneath (it's always wood...)... :|

 

[sandorski]

Discovery or History channel had a documentary on the various screw types, it was quite interesting. Robertson or Phillips is my preference.

 

[Crappopotamus]

i love robertson/square screws. they fit nice and happy. phillips head is alright, but flat ones suck, cause you have to hold it in the middle.

i stripped a whole bunch of screws in my car until i figured out the joy that is a socket.

 

[dethman]

Originally posted by: Crappopotamus
i love robertson/square screws. they fit nice and happy. phillips head is alright, but flat ones suck, cause you have to hold it in the middle.

i stripped a whole bunch of screws in my car until i figured out the joy that is a socket.

crappopotamus. funny name.