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CaNaDa square headed screw vs Merica Phillips head screw

Landslide

Landslide

Red Skull Member
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May 20, 2020
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One of those… didja know?

My first encounter with a square headed screw was in a pos mobile home I bought in 1982. The whole thing was put together with them and it was a major pita trying to find a driver for them. Then, in the late 80’s early 90’s, I bought a Kreg wood screw jig setup at a woodworking show I went to. Today I find them in my new 200amp electrical service panels I replaced in my house and shop when I replaced the main feed to my house. They use a square/slotted screw on the breakers.

While the Phillips screw head has been around a long time now, back in the 60’s, 70’s and into the 80’s, slotted wood screws were still the main thing to use and mostly available. During the 90’s, Phillips head screws began to take over with the introduction of the drywall screws.

But, I never gave any thought behind the history of these screw heads until I ran across one of stumpys videos tonight and watched it.

The more you know…

:flipoff2:

 
Square drive was pretty common in the late 90s. Easy to get through Homedepot. Got pretty used to using them for decking and framing. Made putting in 3 and 4 inch screws much easier... before impact drivers became common. Then they pretty much disappeared. Starting to see square drive "deck screws" again, but are darn pricey.

There are benefits to each. Philips are pretty unlikely to snap the head off, but more likely to get chowdered and become undriveable.
 
Robertson/square is clearly the best, by a long shot....phillips cams out intentionally (unlike pozi) and square doesn't. That's our main wood screw type up here in Canada and I am so glad we don't have the stupidity you guys do down there. Square will actually stay on the bit without falling off too.

 
IMG_6675.jpeg
 
Square and torx both suck. You have to have the correct size. Like I really need another tool that I guess the size and have to go back to the tool box. And of course, if you happen to have a complete set except for one size, guess which size you need? With Philips, one size fits all. (Or at least most)
 
clodhopper said:
Square drive was pretty common in the late 90s. Easy to get through Homedepot. Got pretty used to using them for decking and framing. Made putting in 3 and 4 inch screws much easier... before impact drivers became common. Then they pretty much disappeared. Starting to see square drive "deck screws" again, but are darn pricey.

There are benefits to each. Philips are pretty unlikely to snap the head off, but more likely to get chowdered and become undriveable.
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I prefer torx head screws for deck screws or that type of construction.
 
torx is good for everything but a drywall screw gun, they don't work good there, phillips has its place, and that is it
also that's the reason they have those crappy little fine thread drywall screws
 
WaterH said:
Square and torx both suck. You have to have the correct size. Like I really need another tool that I guess the size and have to go back to the tool box. And of course, if you happen to have a complete set except for one size, guess which size you need? With Philips, one size fits all. (Or at least most)
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Well, you're retarded, again. Use a #3 Phillips on a #2 and report back.
 
WaterH said:
Square and torx both suck. You have to have the correct size. Like I really need another tool that I guess the size and have to go back to the tool box. And of course, if you happen to have a complete set except for one size, guess which size you need? With Philips, one size fits all. (Or at least most)
Click to expand...

Speaking as someone who has #000 through #4 Phillips screwdrivers, you couldn't possibly be any more full of shit :homer:

Also, speaking as someone who's used #0000 through #4 Phillips - FUCK Philips drive :flipoff: when Robertson or Torx are available.

The only drive style Phillips is better than is slotted (not "flathead"). In a world of powered drivers, fuck that Amish bullshit :laughing:


EDIT: and fuck any hacktastic mofo that hates a drive style because "oh, you have to use the right tool" - just fuck you :flipoff2:
 
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Squamch said:
Well, we already have Robertson screws, so we didn't really need torx, really only see them with GRKs. I'm a competent tradesman, so I have them, but we really never use them in typical construction.
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I can guarantee you that you’ll strip out the head of a Robertson square drive every time long before you’ll strip out a torx head unless you’re using some cheap ass cHiNa bit.
 
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