New Rant Thread

[TobyC]

Phillips
The Pozidriv is an improvement on the Phillips drive by increasing its torque capacity without increasing the likelihood of cam-out. It also has greater surface area contact with the drive recess. This makes it less likely to strip when installed correctly. In general, you can determine if a Pozidriv screw should be used over a Phillips screw by asking the question “How much torque do I need for this installation?” If the answer is a minimal amount of torque, the Phillips drive will work, otherwise, use the Pozidriv. As an improvement on the original Phillips style, the Pozidriv style is better than the Phillips.

Torx
The Torx, or Star, drive style vastly changes the design of the drive recess. Due to the star having six points of contact (6-Lobe), the screw uses a truly radial force rather than an axial force. Phillips and Pozidriv screws use an axial force to drive the screw which is not as effective and is more likely to cause cam-out. For manual applications, Torx screws are quickly becoming the most popular choice.

ROBERTSON
The Robertson, or square, drive is quite common especially throughout Europe. The square drive offers a unique style as it must fit perfectly into the drive recess to drive properly. When it comes to Robertson vs. Pozidriv styles for manual applications, the Robertson is the winner. However, the square drive is not nearly as popular as the star drive style.

Conclusion
While the Pozidriv drive style is an improvement upon the Phillips drive style, the Phillips is still incredibly popular and does not seem to be going anywhere any time soon.

Should you be in the manufacturing field and find you are having trouble with cam-out, you may want to attempt a Pozidriv configuration. It will give you the added benefits of a reduced cam-out with a better fit into the drive recess while preserving the self-centering functionality that is a must for manufacturing. For manual applications however, both the Star and Square drives are better choices to better suit your needs.

https://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/blog/what-is-pozidriv-is-it-different-from-phillips/

 

[Twelvefret]

Maybe 30 years ago, I found a set of screw driver heads that comprise those being discussed, and of at least three sizes for each type. I am sure these are still available. They fit into the chuck that came with my cordless drill. Having a wide variety of sizes has made the set I use even more useable.

 

[Driftwood]

There is another forum that talks incessantly about JIS screw heads also.

Whatever that is.
Japanese International Standard

 

[Zorro]

At least we no longer are plagued by horrible slotted head screws.

 

[Chris]

I'm a Carpenter Joiner, so you would imagine I have used a few screws in my work through the decades.

Just confirmed what I've been saying for years, Pozidriv is the best type of screw head.

It's a sign of a good channel when a ten minute video about screws is interesting.

 

[Vacumatic]

At least we no longer are plagued by horrible slotted head screws.

I am a bit embarrassed therefore to admit that I have kept brass wood screws with slotted heads, not sure when I would use them because I don't do the amount of woodwork that I used to but nor would I want to throw them away.

 

[Vacumatic]

Just confirmed what I've been saying for years, Pozidriv is the best type of screw head.

It's a sign of a good channel when a ten minute video about screws is interesting.

There is an obvious comment but you would say take such talk to the Locker Room!

 

[Chris]

For decades now or so it seems, purchase price generally seems to be the primary motivating factor for consumers and manufacturers. So many consumer items across the board in most industries are designed first and foremost to be inexpensively mass produced. I’ve learned it often pays to pay more upfront because it generally costs less in the long run. As an example, our decades old hand operated can opener needed replacing. I bought the least expensive of the three options ($8, $12 and $16) two months ago. It sucks. It’s nearly inoperable. I must replace it, only this time will buy the top priced unit.

My Mrs was skeptical of my insistence that yes, we did need to spend £7.50 on the Brabantia can opener. Six years later it's still opening cans like a champ.

 

[Zorro]

I am a bit embarrassed therefore to admit that I have kept brass wood screws with slotted heads, not sure when I would use them because I don't do the amount of woodwork that I used to but nor would I want to throw them away.

Slotted head screws work fine, provided you have a screwdriver with the correct head size and chamfer to fit, and therein lies the problem, it's a flip of a coin whether you get good fit and drive or whether you mash the head, particularly on smaller screws.

One thing i have learned from amateur watch repairs, is that the actual screwdrivers are but a small part of the screwdriver kit that includes various stones for shaping and dressing screwdriver tips to fit precisely in tiny slotted screws.

 

[Twelvefret]

I am a bit embarrassed therefore to admit that I have kept brass wood screws with slotted heads, not sure when I would use them because I don't do the amount of woodwork that I used to but nor would I want to throw them away.

I never discard a screw of any type.

 

[Vacumatic]

I never discard a screw of any type.

I agree, it is very difficult to throw away tools or any fasteners including screws however long you have owned them just in case you need them one day or someone comes along and says 'you wouldn't happen to have ...... by any chance?

In my town there is a fleamarket, not sure if that is the correct US term, perhaps swap meet? One week auto parts, next week secondhand tools etc. next week cameras, musical instruments, art work and antiques. I took a taxi down there and the driver and I got into our own world about finding very old hand tools and kit, he was from a very different culture but we are just the same in terms of having tools not just for ourselves but the wider community. The fleamarket is good for sharpening stones too, some of them are a work of art.

We talked about the quality of screws above, the quality of old steel tools has really gone down, some of the pre WW2 German steel hand tools are unsurpassed.

 

[chazt]

My two favorite tools belonged to my Dad, his hammer and hand drill. The hammer may be pre-1940. The drill is USN WWII surplus. I also own some of my father in law’s tools. I will pass them down to my grandson.

 

[TobyC]

I am a bit embarrassed therefore to admit that I have kept brass wood screws with slotted heads, not sure when I would use them because I don't do the amount of woodwork that I used to but nor would I want to throw them away.

Fine woodworking still requires slotted flathead screws, especially vintage furniture repair. I still have some too.

 

[TobyC]

At least we no longer are plagued by horrible slotted head screws.

Firearms still have traditional slotted screws.

 

[TobyC]

Just confirmed what I've been saying for years, Pozidriv is the best type of screw head.

It's a sign of a good channel when a ten minute video about screws is interesting.

I prefer TORX, what they showed in that video is ridiculous. If you use the proper size bit the screw does stay on the bit without falling off, and there is no wabbling around like he showed. Many times you get the proper bit in the container with the screws.