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Who makes Robertson screwdrivers?

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KPSquared

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Aug 18, 2010
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Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada
If I bought a set and there was no robertson, I'd be confused. Everyone from Snap-on to the dollar store sells them here.

I'm confused by the question. Isn't Robertson as common as Phillips?
 

Spudland_Dave

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garfunkle24

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Saskatoon, Canada
Technically, only Robertson makes Robertson bits, everyone else just makes square drive bits. Genuine Robertson bits have a little more taper to them than many other square drive bit swhich helps them retain screws and engage more securely.

Besides Robertson, I've had good luck with the Wera bits.
A genuine Robertson bit will be an insert-type bit that looks like these:
19j2003s2.jpg
 

zer0cell

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Aug 25, 2010
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No one seems to have mentioned bondhus yet... There is a 4 piece set on amazon for about $13 and the set is MADE IN USA! This is a great deal. If you prefer a cushion grip set I'd spring for the kleins which are about 2x the price for a similar set. Those are also made in USA.
 
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Cashed

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Aug 5, 2007
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If I bought a set and there was no robertson, I'd be confused. Everyone from Snap-on to the dollar store sells them here.

I'm confused by the question. Isn't Robertson as common as Phillips?

I visit Canada a couple times a year and I am amazed at the amount of Robertson fasteners that are used. Especially on buildings. Everything that is normally robertson in Canada is philips 99.9% of the time south of the border.
 

Jawn

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Jul 29, 2011
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Stuck in traffic, GA
Pratt-Read makes 'em too.

'bout the only things I've seen 'em on is an RV, my breaker panel (which also has a slot for a standard flat blade screwdriver), and Kreg screws.
 

Outlander

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Jul 30, 2010
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Quebec, Canada
I visit Canada a couple times a year and I am amazed at the amount of Robertson fasteners that are used. Especially on buildings. Everything that is normally robertson in Canada is philips 99.9% of the time south of the border.

Interesting. I never realised.
 

KPSquared

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Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada
I can't even imagine building a deck with a freaking Phillips head screw. They are the worst.

First choice for me is the PAM fasteners then Robertson. The only screw you can even buy here with Phillips head is drywall screws. Everything else is Robertson.
 

Outlander

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It is becoming clearer now why the cross border differences

http://www.thomasnet.com/articles/hardware/robertson-screwdriver-history

"was invented in 1908 by P.L. Robertson, a native Canadian."

"Although the design was rapidly integrated into the Canadian market and still continues to thrive today, Robertson screws and screwdrivers were much less successful in the US and are not commonly used"

wow... GJ, a cup of coffee, google and quiet time here at the lake has contributed again to my education. I can just hear myself at the dinner table "hey, I was on GJ the other day and discovered that Robertson screws were invented by a Canadian!" The blank strares of my family will probably result in the reply..... those the starry ones or the square ones :)
 

KPSquared

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That's awesome!

I have a surprisingly larger number of those "I was on garage joural the other day..." conversations that end in blank stares.

Looks like someone's getting a bag of deck screws and a 10 pack of Robertson bits for Secret Santa...:D
 
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buco

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Aug 23, 2011
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Mississauga / Croatia
I think there was a big fight over royalties which is why the robertson never took off in the US.

It is way better than a phillips.
 

Keep

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Jan 1, 2009
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1,398
Location
Oshawa, Ontario
When I first moved up here I was baffled at that funny square screw.

I am now hooked. I cannot imagine building half the stuff I have up here using phillips. The decks alone would have really sucked!

The Klein set is very nice but even the cheapest robertson is better then any phillips.
 

timbitca

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Aug 7, 2012
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Location
Moncton, NB, Canada
I use almost nothing but Robertson screws. I despise philips (even though that's my name) and I wish flat heads had never even been invented.
 

96snma

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Mar 4, 2012
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Calgary ab/saskatoon sk
I knew that robertson were invented in canada and not as common in the US, but I had no idea to what extent. Every single wood screw I have ever used has been an robertson and thats not an exaggertaion. You can walk into any store from walmart to lowes and home hardware and get one in a pinch.

I didn't get why the op couldn't find any. Says he's from BC
 

Plasmatic

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Sep 27, 2011
Messages
121
Robertsons are rare enough where I am in the States that I've seen them used as "security screws" for the housings of card readers on buildings and the like.

Ticks me off, because they really are better than blasted phillips or slotted.
 
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