Why do we need both phillip's head and straight screws?

Question

I think this is stupid. Every time I can only find the Phillips screwdriver, I have a flathead s***w, and vice versa. Once in a great while, I have a s***w that some genius made fit either--it's a Phillips s***w with one slot longer to accommodate a flathead screwdriver too. So then, why not make BOTH slots of a Phillips longer? Why do we need two types at all? Ahhhhhhh ! I guess "Why can't I keep track of my screwdrivers?" would be an entirely separate question :)

Answer 1

Try being a Canadian contractor!

We have Robertson (Square Head) too!

Answer 2

I work as an electrician / handyman and I really don't get it either.  But I do know that most times using hand tools you can get more torque on a flat head s***w vs a Philips head.  You also have a tendency to strip out Philips head screws more often due to more shallow grooves.  But using a drill to install screws and when speed counts... nothing better than a Philips head.  It won't slide off the head of the s***w like a flat head would.  Plus I flat head is a huge pain when using a drill.  

Answer 3

  One screwdriver to fit all screws sounds like a good idea except......some phillips head screws are so small, such as set screws, it would be hard to get a flat head screwdriver in small  places. I have a "ladies" tool chest that holds just about anything I need for most kinds of jobs. I always put the tools back when I'm through, then I know where my screwdrivers, etc. are.  Hope this helps!

Answer 4

We need both because screws get torked diffrently

Answer 5

Just two kinds? Your lucky..working on my car or trailor I need a philips, a flathead, a star head bit, and a square head...I feel left out now lol..

Answer 6

My question is "why do they make combo heads?"  They don't work well for either.  My philosophy is, if you don't have the right screwdriver, then you shouldn't be messing around with it.

Personally, I like the square drive best.  They work wonderfully.

From "The Owner's Manifesto"  -- Torx is OK; tamperproof is rarely OK.

Answer 7

buy a s***w driver that has an inter changeable head, flat and phillips,

there is some phillips heads that have a slot in them,  

Answer 8

I think that a long time ago, when they converted away from square head nails and such, and invented the concept of screws, they felt the best possible combination, and the simplest, would be to create the slot across the top of the head and a corresponding type of driver that would make it turn.

I doubt the concept of a Phillips type s***w was even thought of at the time.  Remember, most screws of long ago were very large, had large heads, and the drivers were also large.  Mostly because few carpenters had hand drive drills and bits to accommodate the screws.  That meant a lot of force was needed thus the large size of the slots.

In some cases today, you will see straight slot screws used in situations where the metal is so thin it won't take a lot of torque, and drilling is always suggested anyway.  Plus, it really is hard to use a very small phillips even on a small s***w--you just don't get the grab.