Robertson versus Phillips screws
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Location, Location.
Robertson versus Phillips screws
In every way imaginable, the Robertson screw head is vastly superior to the Phillips. And yet Robertsons remain rare in the U.S., as far as I know.
Question for the American posters - why cling to this inferior technology?
Question for the American posters - why cling to this inferior technology?
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
Nobody wants to throw away their Phillips screwdrivers. Look in any toolbox; you'll see a bunch of Phillips of various sizes, and how many Robertsons will you find?
And of course, you need to keep all those Phillips drivers to use on all the phillips screws that abound on our older vehicles. Plus, (and probably the biggest reason) we're a society resistant to change. We refuse to embrace the metric system, so sure as hell nobody's gonna take our Phillips screwdrivers unless they pry them from our cold, lifeless hands! -TD
And of course, you need to keep all those Phillips drivers to use on all the phillips screws that abound on our older vehicles. Plus, (and probably the biggest reason) we're a society resistant to change. We refuse to embrace the metric system, so sure as hell nobody's gonna take our Phillips screwdrivers unless they pry them from our cold, lifeless hands! -TD
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Oregon
Mainly, it's a supply issue I think. I see them in deck screws, but that's about it - unless i start getting close to the Canadian border.
I don't own any dedicated square head drivers, except for the ones that come in bit sets. Nice thing about Phillips is, in a pinch, I can make a #2 work with either a larger or smaller screw. With Robertson head you better have the right size.
I don't own any dedicated square head drivers, except for the ones that come in bit sets. Nice thing about Phillips is, in a pinch, I can make a #2 work with either a larger or smaller screw. With Robertson head you better have the right size.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 630
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From: Stanly County N.C.
I love and use them on all my decking and fence projects. Part of the problem may be the widespread use of posi drive screws. It still suprises me howmany folks use them (posi drives) and dont realize what they have or why they keep stripping heads with their plain phillips bits. Posi drives are good if used with the proper bit but square drives or Robertsons are the best I have used. Its only in the last few years that I have seen them making their way into smaller hardware stores, larger chains like Home Depot and Lowes have had them for a while.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Seattle
Originally Posted by fred_79f250
.....Question for the American posters - why cling to this inferior technology?
There may be a minute need for them in SOME manufacturing applications, but enough allready. Time to move on.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
For those who do not know what screw people are talking about:
http://www.robertsonscrew.com/index.html
http://www.robertsonscrew.com/index.html
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
We use the square drive screws exclusively here.. They don't cam out, or slip like phillips and flat. We still use phillips when we can't find the right size with a square drive.. If we have the choice we get the squares..
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Logistics Pro
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From: Southern MD
Originally Posted by TigerDan
Nobody wants to throw away their Phillips screwdrivers. Look in any toolbox; you'll see a bunch of Phillips of various sizes, and how many Robertsons will you find?
And of course, you need to keep all those Phillips drivers to use on all the phillips screws that abound on our older vehicles. Plus, (and probably the biggest reason) we're a society resistant to change. We refuse to embrace the metric system, so sure as hell nobody's gonna take our Phillips screwdrivers unless they pry them from our cold, lifeless hands! -TD
And of course, you need to keep all those Phillips drivers to use on all the phillips screws that abound on our older vehicles. Plus, (and probably the biggest reason) we're a society resistant to change. We refuse to embrace the metric system, so sure as hell nobody's gonna take our Phillips screwdrivers unless they pry them from our cold, lifeless hands! -TD
Ditto!!!
Well said, TD.
(I'll add that I have at least 6 Robertson drivers and ??? Robertson driver inserts.)
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
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From: NW burbs of chicago
Originally Posted by 79 Trailer Special
Its only in the last few years that I have seen them making their way into smaller hardware stores, larger chains like Home Depot and Lowes have had them for a while.
The ace hardware I worked at in 96' had them..
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 449
Likes: 8
The ole hammer is the best combination driver there is! It'll drive em all, square, phillips. slotted.
But on point, square drives came on strong here about 10 years ago (great salesman, i guess), but the demand never developed. They've become difficult to find, even though i personally feel they're the best all-around screw (rimshot).
But on point, square drives came on strong here about 10 years ago (great salesman, i guess), but the demand never developed. They've become difficult to find, even though i personally feel they're the best all-around screw (rimshot).