The Better Screw: A Canadian Grip

@Canadian_Eh

More than once I have rounded out the screw (or found it has rounded out) and wondered if a triangle shape would have worked better.

@javensbukan @Canadian_Eh Uhm, hex keys are not a thing over there? Don't you have IKEAs?

@angela_underscore @Canadian_Eh

Interesting thought.

The three sharper points of the driver would be a bit (so to speak) less robust than four pointed corners, which perhaps Robertson thought about. On the other hand, the fastener itself might well have greater strip resistance. Someone must have experimented by now...

The Better Screw: A Canadian Grip

In 1908, Canadian P. L. Robertson invented the square-socketed screw to prevent 'cam-out'—the slipping that plagues other screw types. This superior grip made it highly efficient. While the Phillips head became more common globally, the Robertson screw remains widely preferred in Canadian construction and manufacturing for its reliability. #Canada #Innovation #Invention #Tools

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertson_screwdriver

@Canadian_Eh

My dad lived then so much, he took several boxes back to England with him.

@Dianora

@EricLawton @Canadian_Eh I was told a story about a company I worked for years ago by someone who had worked there longer about Robertson screws. Apparently the company had several racks to ship to the U.S. (years before tariffs!) and when they got to customer, the customer couldn't open the panels because Robertson screws had been used! So the next shipment came with some screwdrivers. Packaged *inside the rack. FUBAR again!

@hennichodernich @Canadian_Eh We do! And those are pretty great tbh. Though they're rarely used in building and general house construction.

Case and point, every single lightswitch panel and outlet in my house has these stupid slotted screws and I hate them.

@javensbukan @hennichodernich Ouch. I know that pain.

@f800gecko @Canadian_Eh

The three points of the driver could be a bit rounded. The three (relatively) broad faces would provide enough contact to move the screw after losing a bit of meat on the corners.

@Dianora @EricLawton Heh, nice.

@Canadian_Eh @javensbukan @hennichodernich It’s interesting as I think all the front facing screws on light switches are slotted. I have to wonder if it’s a cosmetic thing.

@angela_underscore @f800gecko @Canadian_Eh I think the problem with a triangle shape is that you don't have a symmetrical force on the other side of the point of rotation which facilitates the rotation. When turning a Phillips or a Robertson screw, there's a "doubling" of the force from each opposite corner (Imagine how difficult it would be to unscrew a tire nut if your lug wrench didn't have opposing arms to increase the torque).

It's just my gut feeling though. I haven't "Googled it" yet.

@Canadian_Eh @Dianora @EricLawton whoa whoa whoa you're all saying that all those screwdriver kits and impact driver bit sets in our hardware stores are created only for the Canadian market? Impressive.

Only somewhat related, but does anyone know a situation in which you would prefer to use a flathead screw? It's always seemed to me that they must only get used when cost is most important, or they want it disassembleable with only a butterknife.

@rndeon @Canadian_Eh @Dianora @EricLawton

As far as I know, the only actual choosing of a slotted screw over less strippable drives is for cosmetic reasons. i.e. Robertson being universal in construction in Canada, but socket/switch box covers are still always slotted.

I don't find Robertson or other drives visually unappealing, but apparently lots do? Maybe only old fogies who grew up with slotted as the universal drive?

@cazabon @Canadian_Eh @Dianora @EricLawton interesting, would never have considered the aesthetics of screw heads.

@rndeon @cazabon @Canadian_Eh @Dianora @EricLawton I was taught to align my switch plate covers so that the screw heads align all the same horizontal direction. Its a nice way to show attention to detail