Robertson Screwdrivers

[Canadian Charlie]

How popular are they now? I have a couple of them in my tool box, 3 regular length and 3 stubby screwdrivers. In my opinion they have a better grip than slotted or phillips

 

[ImportTuner]

Guess they are not very popular; I have a Robertson bit, but I have never used it; seems like everybody likes with the hex or torx heads ..

 

[dink]

Also known as square drive for those that dont know......I find they are great on decking style screws....I have some Pratt-Read Screwdrivers with these ends #1 to #3.....I also agree that these apply great amount of bite compared to others

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

I like robertson fasteners. Unfortunately, they are seldom found on cars. More on screws for drywall, decking, and things of that nature.

 

[strizzy]

Sea-Doo shipping crates have a million of them... I've worn quite a few bits out.

 

[ImportTuner]

Sea-Doo shipping crates have a million of them... I've worn quite a few bits out.

You've opened that many Sea-Doo shipping crates?

 

[krj]

All Canadians know that Robertson screws are the best....! If it were up to me, they would be the only screw.... Too bad Mr. Robertson and Henry Ford didnt get along... because if they had of, the Americans on this board would see the light!

 

[dink]

All Canadians know that Robertson screws are the best....! If it were up to me, they would be the only screw.... Too bad Mr. Robertson and Henry Ford didnt get along... because if they had of, the Americans on this board would see the light!

I would be more then happy to switch out Allen heads for Robertson heads

 

[strizzy]

You've opened that many Sea-Doo shipping crates?

Only because I've worked at a marine shop for over 6 years now

 

[the intimidator]

I go threw a #2 square bit a month with my drill. They are very common in woodworking and fencing I find most drywall screws are star head I like robertson aka square lol alot better then sloted and only a bit better the phillips screws

 

[wilbilt]

I have an old Serro Scotty camp trailer. The thing is built entirely with Robertson screws.

 

[mulepackin]

What ever became of clutch head or butterfly head screws. I remember there being alot of them on our 55 Chevy DelRay and pickup. I don't remember liking them very much. Still have the drivers around.

 

[l_bilyk]

Robertson style heads are hands down superior to just about everything else except for torx, allen, and all those. Yet you don't ever see them on cars... this is all ford's fault

 

[dink]

What ever became of clutch head or butterfly head screws. I remember there being alot of them on our 55 Chevy DelRay and pickup. I don't remember liking them very much. Still have the drivers around.

Butterfly or triwings are mainly used now in the airline MRO industry these days

 

[mulepackin]

Butterfly or triwings are mainly used now in the airline MRO industry these days

Thanks Dink. Is there a specific reason for this, or did it just end up this way?

 

[dink]

From what I know large triwing bits are used because they turn fast and safer then standard style because they dont want the tools sliding off and scraping against the metal.

 

[trainer]

99% of the wood screws, stove bolts and sheet metal screws available here are robertson head. The screwdriver handles are colour coded according to size, so its easy to grab the right one.
They work particularly well in applications where they are driven in with power tools.

 

[ImportTuner]

99% of the wood screws, stove bolts and sheet metal screws available here are robertson head. The screwdriver handles are colour coded according to size, so its easy to grab the right one.
They work particularly well in applications where they are driven in with power tools.

Is that a Canadian thing? I drop by our local OSH, Home Depot, and Lowe's and it is difficult to find the robertson head; I hate the slotted wood screws ..

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Is that a Canadian thing? I drop by our local OSH, Home Depot, and Lowe's and it is difficult to find the robertson head; I hate the slotted wood screws ..

Yup, it's a Canadian thing.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Robertson style heads are hands down superior to just about everything else except for torx, allen, and all those. Yet you don't ever see them on cars... this is all ford's fault

Why is it Ford's fault? I'm Canadian as they come

 

[Uncle Buck]

I used to assemble Steelcase brand office cubicles. Most of the screws used on them at that time were Robertson type, all the installers ever referred to the Robertson fasteners as " Canadians" I guess cause they enjoyed widespread acceptance and use in Canada?

 

[SteveU]

I get them from Mcfeely's, they have them in steel, brass, silicon bronze, 2 or 3 grades of stainless along with various coatings depending on how corrosion resistant they need to be. They have all the necessary drivers, bits for drills, ect. Built a 16x20' deck with steps & all the railing with 1 bit, really like this drive.
www.McFeelys.com

 

[krj]

It is a Canadian thing because the inventor was Canadian. Henry Ford heard about them and wanted to use them in his assembly line, but Robertson was inflexible with his patent and rights etc... Ford did not negociate and went with another screw head.. the rest is history!

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Now I know they are supposed to be color coded to size, but pretty much all the ones I have ever seen don't follow the color coating. Anyone know of proper ones in the USA that fit the color coating?



Ever since my dad found Kreg Pocket hole jig, those screws are about all he uses on anything non mechanical and electrical.