What are Phillips screwdrivers used for?
| Type of Drive | Typical Application |
|---|---|
| Phillips | Most commonly used in the manufacture of furniture, electronics, jewellery and carpentry. |
| Slotted | Previously used in almost all applications, the slotted drive is becoming increasingly rare in mass-produced goods. |
Why is it important to use the correct screwdriver?
1. Select the proper size screwdriver for the screw, so that the thickness of the blade makes a good fit in the slot. This not only prevents the screw slot and blade from being damaged, but reduces the force required to keep the tool in the screw head. Never use pliers on a screwdriver.
Why was Phillips screw invented?
In the early 1930s, the Phillips head screw was invented by Oregon businessman Henry Phillips (1889–1958). They needed screws that could take greater torque and could provide tighter fastenings. The Phillips head screw was compatible with the automated screwdrivers used in an assembly line.
When did the Phillips screw become popular?
By 1936 the screw was available to consumers, and the first industrial customer was General Motors, which used Phillips screws to build Cadillac automobiles in 1937. Soon after, it was adopted by the railroad and aviation industries.
What year did they invent Phillips head screws?
1932
Why are there no Robertson screws in America?
Most historians attribute its lack of popularity in the United States to Henry Ford. Having been nearly bankrupted by shady European licensees, Robertson refused to license his invention to Ford. Without a guaranteed supply, Ford turned to the Phillips-head screw, cementing its reign in American industry.
Why is it called a Robertson screwdriver?
Peter frequently told the story- now a legend – about the accident in downtown Montréal. He was demonstrating a spring-loaded screwdriver when the blade slipped from the screw-slot and badly cut his hand. The incident inspired him, so he decided to invent an improved and safer screw – The Robertson® Drive.
Who invented flat head screws?
In 1798, American David Wilkinson also invented machinery for the mass production of threaded metal screws. In 1908, square-drive screws were invented by Canadian P. L. Robertson. Twenty-eight years before Henry Phillips patented his Phillips head screws, which are also square-drive screws.
Why are there Phillips and flat head screws?
The reason for the different styles is cost and torque. Phillips screws are self-centering, making powered screwdrivers possible. They’re somewhat more expensive to produce than slotted-head. They tend to ‘cam-out’ easily under torque, making it hard to apply much torque.
What type of screw head is best?
Phillips head screw
What is the difference between a Phillips and a flat head screwdriver?
A flathead has a single blade, and a Phillips has two blades in the shape of a cross. Attempts to use a flathead tool on a screw designed for a Phillips usually won’t be successful, and a Phillips screwdriver could never be used on a slotted screw.
What is the most popular screw?
#1) Phillips-Head Arguably, the most common type of screw drive is Phillips head. Developed by American engineer John P. Thompson, it offers a high level of torque to achieve quick and easy installation. Phillips-head screws feature a cross-shaped pattern on the head in which the screwdriver is inserted.
What is the most common type of screw?
Wood Screw
How do I know what screws to buy?
Select a screw approximately half the length of the material it’s going into. A screw less than half the length of the material it’s going into will not anchor properly; go much longer than half the length and you risk damaging the opposite side of your material.