outdated? "robertson" screws rare in US?

Do they make Robertson fasteners with Whitworth threads?

When I worked in the hardware store we sold square drive deck screws by the 50# boxes. Around here the contractors who build decks, etc. all use square drive screws.

Even had one guy who I had to special order some for. They came in long strip that was coiled up to put in a special driver he had. Basically a power driver with a long handle with a pistol grip on the top. You loaded the screws in the head and used it standing up.

mad_machine wrote:

Curmudgeon wrote: Put me in the Robertson support camp even though I am a bloody American. If I EVER meet that Phillips guy I may have to be physically restrained. Posidrivs are right behind Phillips.

Phillips were meant to "lift" at a certain torque. They were designed for large machinery that put screws into things.. when the proper torque was achieve, the driver would lift out of the screw on it's own due to the shape of the screw and driver.

Yeah, yeah I know all that. If a screw has corrosion and requires some extra torque to remove then you are screwed. Had way too many strip out trying to take dirt bikes apart. For a while in the 70's and 80's Allen head screw kits became VERY popular, then the mfgs caught on and started using them as OE. A lot of bikes now come with an 8mm hex head bolt for anything with 6mm thread, there was much rejoicing heard across the land when that first started.

I didn't know they had a name. Learn something every day.

I have had the drives in several kits but never knew the name. My last name is Robertson, maybe I will have to support the distant relatives.

Hal wrote: When I worked in the hardware store we sold square drive deck screws by the 50# boxes. Around here the contractors who build decks, etc. all use square drive screws. Even had one guy who I had to special order some for. They came in long strip that was coiled up to put in a special driver he had. Basically a power driver with a long handle with a pistol grip on the top. You loaded the screws in the head and used it standing up.

A screw chain gun. I like it.

Sorry if I missed it, but what exactly happened to Vorshlag that square-drive screws would have fixed?

I hate allen head screws if they get corroded or messed up, the strip too easy and are a pain to get out. The standards and phillips do the same but its easier to carry one or two screwdrivers than a bunch of different sized alllen wrenches and hope its not metric when you have standards or vice versa. The larger allen bolts I do like though like head bolts on Datsuns and Mercedes. Not sure on the sqaure head screws, have had them strip out also and I do have a few of the drivers in my box.

Keith wrote:

Hal wrote: When I worked in the hardware store we sold square drive deck screws by the 50# boxes. Around here the contractors who build decks, etc. all use square drive screws. Even had one guy who I had to special order some for. They came in long strip that was coiled up to put in a special driver he had. Basically a power driver with a long handle with a pistol grip on the top. You loaded the screws in the head and used it standing up.

A screw chain gun. I like it.

Dude, you should see a deck being built with one of those. The guys handling the boards literally have to RUN to keep up with the guy running the screw gun.

iceracer wrote: I didn't know they had a name. Learn something every day.

everything has a name..

Well, I thought the name was "square drive"

iceracer wrote: Well, I thought the name was "square drive"

That's what i thought, too.... and i never thought they were rare...

Grtechguy wrote: I didn't know the proper name of "roberstons", But I love square drives. Bits last forever (Have yet to strip one)

This. Makes phillips head screws look absolutely pathetic in comparison.

Anyone who thinks Robertson (square drive) screws are rare has apparently never been in a mobile home.

Common as dirt around here.

SVreX wrote: Anyone who thinks Robertson (square drive) screws are rare has apparently never been in a mobile home. Common as dirt around here.