Using Pozi drivers in a Phillips screw

[rust in the eye]

What say you?

 

[rlitman]

It'll rip up the screw badly, and possibly damage the driver. A phillips driver in a pozi screw works quite a bit better (with much pushing to keep it engaged).

 

[larry_g]

Just say NO

 

[SwissMetric]

Never, ever (like in Maneater).

You'll end screwing up both the tool and the screw.

Phillips recess and POZIDRIV are different and both geometries are defined by an ISO standard.

 

[Dave455]

It’s not really an option, as in most cases the Pozidriv driver won’t fit the Phillips screw.

Here’s a Pozi 3 (left) compared to a Phillips 3 (right).


Note how the “wings” of the Pozidriv are thicker, and also lack the taper, so they are considerably thicker at the point and just won’t seat properly, if they fit at all.

Maybe if you have a really crappy screw you could drive one in and make it fit, but that’s not very “Garage Journal”

 

[dnschmidt]

Why? There is nothing cheaper than a Phillips screwdriver. Is this a trick question?

 

[Ohio Andy]

Why? There is nothing cheaper than a Phillips screwdriver. Is this a trick question?

Assume that's a legitimate question.

And yeah, don't do it.

 

[HannibalLecter]

Someone wants to be banned

 

[Bubba Fett]

Don't do it. Use the right type and size driver. At least get a bit driver and a good set of bits.

 

[rust in the eye]

I surrender.
Didn't know it was such a bad idea. I have a bunch of them bought in a larger lot. I seldom encounter this type screw so was wondering if they might be employed otherwise. Guess not. Looks like dust collectors for me then.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I surrender.
Didn't know it was such a bad idea. I have a bunch of them bought in a lerger lot. I seldom encounter this type screw so was wondering if they might be employed otherwise. Guess not. Looks like dust collectors for me then.

I'll admit, I ran into some Frearson screws a while back, and used a Phillips #1 driver. But I promptly ordered some appropriate bits.

 

[rust in the eye]

Never before owning any Pozi drivers(perhaps some bits) I've used Phillips in Pozi screws in the past so didn't give much thought to the reverse. I clearly never paid much attention to the difference which I've just now confirmed is vast. I couldn't even fit a Pozi driver into some phillips screws on hand.
I'm feeling foolish for asking. Trust me, this wasn't one of those academic threads started simply for the sake of asking a dumb question.
That said they DO like quite alike at a glance.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Never before owning any Pozi drivers(perhaps some bits) I've used Phillips in Pozi screws in the past so didn't give much thought to the reverse. I clearly never paid much attention to the difference which I've just now confirmed is vast. I couldn't even fit a Pozi driver into some phillips screws on hand.
I'm feeling foolish for asking. Trust me, this wasn't one of those academic threads started simply for the sake of asking a dumb question.
That said they DO like quite alike at a glance.

And I'm never sure whether to be happy or sad when they're included in A set because I almost never see them. But if they're in a set I just need to be sure not to use them with what I normally do and then if I need it I won't remember where they are

 

[rlitman]

I surrender.
Didn't know it was such a bad idea. I have a bunch of them bought in a larger lot. I seldom encounter this type screw so was wondering if they might be employed otherwise. Guess not. Looks like dust collectors for me then.

Did you ever assemble Ikea furniture? They're almost universally Pozi.

 

[ecotec]

I have a drawer (not in my main box) with JIS, Pozidrive, clutch head, Prince Reed (they show up at older people’s estate sales), Deck Mate (kind of like ACR)…

Keep the Reed and Prince away from Phillips screws.

I only use the JIS and Pozi with any regularity.

 

[ecotec]

Never before owning any Pozi drivers(perhaps some bits) I've used Phillips in Pozi screws in the past so didn't give much thought to the reverse. I clearly never paid much attention to the difference which I've just now confirmed is vast. I couldn't even fit a Pozi driver into some phillips screws on hand.
I'm feeling foolish for asking. Trust me, this wasn't one of those academic threads started simply for the sake of asking a dumb question.
That said they DO like quite alike at a glance.

They usually have identifiers on the screw head.

Even if you don’t have any of the standalone Pozi screwdrivers, they often come in screwdriver bit sets.

Pozi is definitely worth having, in my opinion. rlitman mentioned IKEA furniture… but there are lots of knockdown products that use Pozi.

 

[rust in the eye]

Did you ever assemble Ikea furniture? They're almost universally Pozi.

Yes, in fact have assembled MANY pieces of KD furniture all the while oblivious (then) that those quarter turn cams are Pozi. Perhaps one of the reasons I've long cursed this stuff.
Should I ever face these again I'm prepared.
I've cleared junk from a small drawer in my big chest to segregate these. Probably where they will rest until I do.

 

[KnurledNut]

Yes, in fact have assembled MANY pieces of KD furniture all the while oblivious (then) that those quarter turn cams are Pozi. Perhaps one of the reasons I've long cursed this stuff.
Should I ever face these again I'm prepared.
I've cleared junk from a small drawer in my big chest to segregate these. Probably where they will rest until I do.

Cabinet hardware is notoriously Pozi. I’m seeing more of it on exterior door hardware too.

 

[rlitman]

Yes, in fact have assembled MANY pieces of KD furniture all the while oblivious (then) that those quarter turn cams are Pozi. Perhaps one of the reasons I've long cursed this stuff.
Should I ever face these again I'm prepared.
I've cleared junk from a small drawer in my big chest to segregate these. Probably where they will rest until I do.

Those quarter turn cams can be Pozi #3 or #4, but I was talking about all the screws (and the screw in pins that those cams pull), which are Pozi #2. Once you start to recognize the little X in the screw head, you'll start seeing it all over the place. Particularly in European hardware, where Phillips is actually unusual to see now, except in stuff coming from Asia or the US.

 

[Dave455]

If it helps, here’s a useful picture from a screw supplier showing the difference. Phillips screw and driver on the left, Pozidriv on the right.


All Pozidriv screws have the extra cross marking that distinguishes them from phillips.

Modern Pozidriv screwdrivers have comparable raised areas, but many older ones don’t.

I’m so used to using both that I can tell them apart, but I still want some bold distinguishing feature.

On introduction, Pozidriv screwdrivers were generally colour coded blue in the U.K. although some industries (telecoms) opted for fluted handles.

Many European drivers also use blue, although PB Swiss use green, and Facom distinguish some by using blacked blades.

In the U.S. they were generally coloured red, and some British companies that followed American practice did the same - Britool for one.

Some manufacturers (most German ones) use the same colours for both, and having used both Phillips and Pozidriv all my life I consider this a recipe for confusion!

If you’re going to get Pozidriv drivers, I advise different colours!

PB Swiss colour code their bits. Phillips in yellow, Pozi in blue/green.

 

[lolaetype]

but there are lots of knockdown products that use Pozi.

MY 69 Jaguar has them all over the place and I'd assume many other British cars of that era do also. I bought several Posi-drive bits and a handle to use them in.

 

[Jack_K]

MY 69 Jaguar has them all over the place and I'd assume many other British cars of that era do also. I bought several Posi-drive bits and a handle to use them in.

British cars are full of them but most owners have no clue. Every one I see is full of damaged screws.

 

[dnschmidt]

Yes, in fact have assembled MANY pieces of KD furniture all the while oblivious (then) that those quarter turn cams are Pozi. Perhaps one of the reasons I've long cursed this stuff.
Should I ever face these again I'm prepared.
I've cleared junk from a small drawer in my big chest to segregate these. Probably where they will rest until I do.

Anything made in Europe or any cabinetry that uses Euro hinges (damn near everything) or Euro hardware uses Pozidriv.

 

[hobie18]

British cars are full of them but most owners have no clue. Every one I see is full of damaged screws.

I don't know whether to laugh, cry, or frown.
I chose the wow symbol.
Even the mastered stuff, nope. Not enough smoke left, no fuel, and the wheels fell off. But don't say what else could happen
Never gonna get that etype

 

[f121]

British cars are full of them but most owners have no clue. Every one I see is full of damaged screws.

Even techs in the uk have no idea there is a difference between pozi and Philips, butchered screws abound here too. About the only place I see them is in Land Rover vehicles, but think they swapped to Phillips/torx when they were bought by BMW.

Pozi is the standard head for construction in the UK, almost all wood screws used are pozi, with a bit of torx and hex in bigger sizes. Drywall screws are Phillips.

 

[richfinn]

Even techs in the uk have no idea there is a difference between pozi and Philips, butchered screws abound here too. About the only place I see them is in Land Rover vehicles, but think they swapped to Phillips/torx when they were bought by BMW.

Pozi is the standard head for construction in the UK, almost all wood screws used are pozi, with a bit of torx and hex in bigger sizes. Drywall screws are Phillips.

I have only recently removed Pozidriv screwdrivers from my tool bag (I still have some pozi bits for my ratchet screwdriver).

Just don't see them much on cars anymore in the UK (except classics).

I keep the bits mostly for vans that have been wood ply-lined and pozidriv screws stuck in tyres

 

[RTM]

Never before owning any Pozi drivers(perhaps some bits) I've used Phillips in Pozi screws in the past so didn't give much thought to the reverse.

So in true GJ fashion you need to go out and buy a $hitload of Pozi screws so you have them and can use your screwdriver bits