Getting away from phillips screws- What do you use?

[Superwilly]

Never understood why there isn't Robertson screws in the US. In Canada we pretty much use 100% Robertson (square) for attatching to wood. Deck screws come in #2 Robertson and can buy as short as 3/4" up to at least 6'... they are #8 screws usually up to 3", then #10 past that... Phenomenal screw to use for building... and yes Phillips is trash

Robertson is way quicker to engage/disengage the screw with the driver than Torx... but plenty of secure grab when you need it.

I should add that many contractors will use a structural screw (head similar to Torx perhaps, but often pan head I think?) when they need serious holding power... those are beefier and stronger yet (hardened steel) than #10 Robertson deck screws, and go even longer, past 10" if i recall correctly..

 

[Jon_E]

I hate Phillips screws, the only thing they are good for is drywall. I use a mix of square drive and Torx for everything else. Around here almost every brand has switched to Torx for construction screws on the store shelves. My favorites are Scorpion and GRK. Obviously pocket screws are still square drive and probably will remain that way, and I do like McFeeley's selection for special finishes (such as black oxide).

I really like the various bit colors for the GRK Torx bits, and they are readily available at Home Depot. So every box of screws that use Torx, I just write the bit color on the box with a Sharpie and I'm good to go. Even without that information, it only takes a few seconds to find the right size bit for the screw you want to use.

 

[Prospecter]

I'm still moving away from slotted screws and hammer driven nails! Nail guns, phillips, and any of the others mentioned all look good to me!!

 

[TLCObsession]

No one has mentioned it, but I use the GRK's instead of the Kreg brand screws with my jig for anything structural. Face frames I use the Kregs...

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Robertson, I do have a box of the combo Robertson/Phillips head but still use the Robertson drive!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Another source; www.boltdepot.com

IMHO, way over-priced !

 

[theoldwizard1]

I switched 100 percent to deck mate fasteners which I believe is a t25. Used a few large boxes building the garage.

Large like 5 lb ? You can get some sizes in a 25 lb pail.

 

[Lewisthepilgrim]

for wood? Scorpions are the best fasteners there are....

 

[Kaizen]

Large like 5 lb ? You can get some sizes in a 25 lb pail.

Lol no like two of the 25 pound tubs. I’m more comfortable using screws as I work alone and easier to position and hold and put a screw in rather then my framing nailer.


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[Jazz1]

Robertson but still prefer Phillips on vintage autos. Couldn't find 6 matching stainless Phillips in all my screw bin and resorted to Torx stainless to secure parking brake trim I made this week

 

[TTTTTT]

Robertson all the way. Can't figure out why Phillips are even used anymore. The most frustrating ever. Unfortunately they dominate the US market. Need a movement to change that. Come on guys south of the 49th. Start the movement. [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]

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[Bruce 993 SEA]

Torx: for framing and driving into wood where I do not pre drill.

"drill bit tip" so they dig into wood and not wobble around when getting started

take a lot less force on the impact/drill driver to stay engaged

I like the flat finish (not shiny like the GRK) GRKs are OK though

I buy bulk at lumber yard in the old fashioned metal rotating bin

Square drive:

For electrical work. The screws are double square and phillips. The phillips cam
out or slip off and you stab the bit through your hand...

Stainless deck screws...square is the way to go as they are really soft. Easy to
cam out the square drive but they are always flat so you can get your weight
behind them

Phillips:

for misc use...door hinges, drywall (meant to cam out with drywall driver)

I keep all the different bits in my pocket when I am working. I hate running back to the tool box or where ever to find a bit. All the Torx I use are the same size, T-25, except for the smallest ones that I do not use that often.

Nothing like a super grip with a Torx when it is the end of the day and you are putting in something overhead and it just goes in without camming out.

Cheers!

 

[lilredex]

Robertson is always my first choice. Phillips..... only when there is no other choice. Slotted..... I throw them away, only keep them in door hinges where they may get painted over.

 

[DC73]

I prefer Torx. Readily available in small or large quantities. Reasonably priced. Never stripped a head. The bit either fits or it doesn't. I've never even come close to using the wrong bit. My 12V Milwaukee impact driver is the perfect tool to drive long Torx head screws.

DC

 

[nadogail]

Am I the only guy with a Clutch Head Screwdriver set?

 

[b7labelle]

Torx. Bought a large box from HD...and a bunch of smaller boxes of various lengths. About to pitch all my Philips screws. Only one time I had an issue with using the wrong sized bit...and that was because I was SURE it was a particular size, when in fact I needed to grab my next size up driver. Ended up stripping the bit, not the screw. Learned my lesson. Beyond that zero issues with torx. Stripped a hell of a lot more Philips screws and bit drivers in my life.

 

[LOW1]

If the screwhead is exposed I find that0 there is nothing more ugly than the Robinson. Phillips for aesthetics.

 

[Flail]

So who has best deals on grk?
Home Depot = #9 x 3 1/8 $71.24/#720 or 9.9 cents a piece
Amazon = #9 x 3 1/8. $179.99/#1500 or 12 cents a piece.

Anyone find better prices?

 

[ripperd]

I've found that using a proper impact driver reduces the amount of problems with philips tremendously. Hand driving them with a screwdriver or plain drill they are far more prone to cam out than when driven via impact.

My vote is square/Robinson for generic use. Philips is good for low torque needs and things that don't need to be removed often. Torx are good but more expensive, and different sized bits are needed sometimes. I only like to use torx when they are fasteners for a specific purpose (ie, structural fasteners, deck screws, etc).

 

[mobiledynamics]

Flail - At the lengths you are proposing, what's the use for the 3 1/8.......there is a hot debate on nails vs screws re: framing. I use screws but for inspection......nails.

 

[Flail]

Flail - At the lengths you are proposing, what's the use for the 3 1/8.......there is a hot debate on nails vs screws re: framing.

I have some 16’ walls where studs are toenailed in at the top. I would like to shore up some of these connections. I have access to the top plate from above for an impact driver but not a nail gun.

 

[67CarGuy]

Robertson is first for me, with Torx second. Philips can go **** itself, especially the zinc ones that strip if you look at them funny.

 

[rbrtmchl]

I didn't see anyone mention JIS screwdrivers. For those cases where you can't get away from a phillips screw, the JIS version reduces the 'camout' problem.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TG8OTY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[GreyOwl]

Mostly Torx and Robertson for me. I also grab a multi pack of bits that fit each and keep them in a pill bottle in the box along with the screws. I always use a magnetic bit holder that stays with the driver.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Flail . just be careful not to split it...

 

[f121]

Y’all don’t have pozi then?

Almost all wood screws I use are pozi, drywall is about the only Philips I touch, and that's only because they come taped for auto feeding

 

[bwringer]

Y’all don’t have pozi then?

Almost all wood screws I use are pozi, drywall is about the only Philips I touch, and that's only because they come taped for auto feeding

Nope, pozi is not a common thing at all in the US.

If it does sneak in on some furniture from yurp, but we generally don't even notice it's not Phillips before it's too late.

 

[The Cobbler]

nice to see Robertson screws getting more exposure in the US finally, after what, 70 years? LOL
I like the aesthetics of a Phillips screw, but the Robertson are far superior for driving

 

[CraigStu]

I didn't see anyone mention JIS screwdrivers. For those cases where you can't get away from a phillips screw, the JIS version reduces the 'camout' problem.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TG8OTY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Similar but different are these w/ the serrated flutes.
https://www.mcmaster.com/7164a67
I have gotten to like the square drive best though mainly because the screws will kind of stick onto the tip while you maneuver your driver into position.