What is the best type of s***w/screwdriver - phillips or flat? Why?

Question

Philips is better because the cross holds the screwdriver in place. Any other reasons?

Answer 1

Given the choice between Phillips and slotted, I would chose square drive (Robertson).  Reasons:

They won't cam out.  Phillips were designed to do this so they wouldn't be overtightened

They will stick on the end of a screwdriver, making it easy to start in hard to reach places with one hand.

They are generally only available in better quality screws.  I figure a stripped heat costs me 1/2 hour of time.  I'd rather spend the additional 1 - 2 cents per s***w and never have this problem.

It keeps the riff-raff out.  If someone doesn't have a square driver, they don't know what they're doing and you don't want them messing with your stuff.

Answer 2

I used phillips for a long time since they are easier to use with a power driver. Now I have discovered square hole screws. I don't have near the problems with the bit jumping out on hard surfaces. I bought deck screws that can be used with either phillips tip or number 2 square head bit and tested them both. No contest.

Answer 3

There are many other types of screws similar, but better than phillips.

I use Reisser screws mostly  because they are made from hardened steel, are lubricated and have a thread designed for fast fixing with slots to minimise splitting.

They are also self countersinking and do not require a pilot hole in most applications. They thread is also designed to grip chip-board and other particle boards as well as hard and softwood.

Answer 4

much prefer phillips  you seem to get a stronger hold

Answer 5

I was so frustrated with phillips and flat head that I researched the whole problem and discovered square head screws.

They are designed with NEGATIVE CAMBER which means that the bottom of the hole is bigger than the top.  When Henry Ford was building his Model T, he discovered square head screws across the border in Canada made by Robertson ,his production increased dramatically.

Green handle for 4-6 head

Red handle for 8-10 head

Black handle for 12- 14 head

Interesting story,      I fitted a new toilet to a house and used  No.12  brass screws to secure the pan.

A month later the guy phoned me to say that the toilet had a hairline crack,   I went to the house and discovered that yes there was a crack and new vinyl flooring.

The householder said I want you to replace the toilet as you cracked it,  I retorted  how did the vinyl layers get the vinyl under the toilet?  they probably slid it under, he said.  Which means they undid the screws, he blushed, and I left

I used square head brass screws therafter, and never had a repeat performance.

They are so good, that when I was fitting radiator brackets

to old plastered walls in the nintees, I had to be careful not to overtighten them , as the torque was so great that it would have been possible to bend the brackets into the plaster.

When I was a boy going to school in the war, the Belfast Corporation bought buses from Canada which had wooden-slat seats, these were all screwed down with square head screws, and us boys had no way of removing them, so they were good as security screws as well.

I notice that in N.Ireland , that all electricians, window blind fitters. plumbers/central heating engineers, the gas board and the local Electricity board use nothing else.

Answer 6

Philips head is far better than the old slot head ,the design of the philips head gives more surface area contact with the s***w driver and is much easier putting them in using a power or battrey drill

If you are using the slot head screws and you are using an incorrect fitting screwdriver chances are you will damage the slot and you will have difficulty going any further

Answer 7

it depends what type of s***w you need a screwdriver for. if it's a flat s***w, use a flat screwdriver. if it's a cross s***w than use a phillips cross screwdriver!~good luck=]

Answer 8

u got it , just more of the s***w driver head fitting into the s***w and holding better then the old flat head ...and if u can find it a Robinson s***w and s***w driver is even better ...it a tapered square head.... Made in Canada

Answer 9

Crosshead as they have a larger force area for stronger torque, plus they can allow some movement without slipping and damaging the head.

flat heads can often slip when under strain and damage the head!

Answer 10

I'm with Ucluelet.... I never knew what the square head drivers/screws were called, but they are far superior to Phillips head screws.  Phillips really tend to strip out, but the square drive screws are basically impossible to mess up.

Answer 11

Given a choice between a flat and phillips s***w, I would choose the phillips because it is easier to fit the driver into the phillips head.

Given free rein to pick my favorite s***w head, I would choose the square drive. It has all of the good points of a phillips head, you can put more torque on it and it doesn't cam out of the slots are easily.

Answer 12

Its best to use a pozi or a phillips as it gives you 4 points of grip.