The Better Screw: A Canadian Grip
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@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.
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@javensbukan @hennichodernich Ouch. I know that pain.
@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.
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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.
@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.
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@Dianora @EricLawton Heh, nice.
@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.
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@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.
@Chigaze @Canadian_Eh @hennichodernich Yeah that's my thought too. Maybe because you can make slotted very small and shallow?
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@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.
Good point.
I wonder if there is a parallel with the Wankel rotary engine (which those of us of a certain age will remember being in Mazda vehicles) versus a piston engine.
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@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?
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@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.
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@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
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@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
@layertrade @rndeon @Canadian_Eh @Dianora @EricLawton
I do the same, but vertical! You're right, seeing a 4-gang switchplate where every screw is at a different position of the clock is a loud "some electrician didn't GAF".
