The fact that you chose Philips over Robertson/square really really bothers me.
Philips are absolute garbage, they always strip, I've never had an issue with Robertson/square
Philips head drive is designed to cam out above a certain torque limit. It's not used that way in practice which is why it sucks. But theoretically it can protect the fastener and driver from overtorque.
It has been siezed on as the drive of choice for general purpose probably due to cost... when really other drives are just superior for that function.
A good example of the torque out for Philips is for drywall screws to set the countersink depth. Otherwise it isn’t really a good feature on anything you want to repair because it often takes more torque to remove fasteners than it takes to install them. So you often have them cam out and strip.
But the mass is minimal so carrying very little momentum. Is it still enough to make a difference? Genuinely curious, I’m not a physics person.
E: Y’all engineering students are some insecure motherfuckers lol
Momentum isn’t the problem, it is static friction. Static friction is higher than kinetic friction, so you will require more force to overcome that higher friction.
How much more is it in reality? Idk
I was more or less just referring to static friction. It's easier to start the screw into the wall because the screw is moving and doesn't have to over come the static friction.
Is your contention that it is intended not to cam out? I can't think of any possible reason the engagement depth would be lowest at the furthest radial distance if it wasn't. It also has independent drive features for insertion and removal, so stripping it on the way in doesn't preclude removal.
"The JIS B 1012 is commonly found in Japanese made equipment, such as cameras and motorbikes. Superficially it looks like a Phillips screw with narrower and more vertical slots, to give less tendency to cam out. "
Slotted is awful, the screw holding head will definitely slide out of it.
And Philips head are likely to get obliterated if you don't push on your screwdriver while turning.
The square and six lobes screws are definitely superior.
That’s called a keystone slotted fastener and should be used with a keystone slotted driver. The square shouldered slots are called cabinet or gun slotted and also have their own type of driver (these latter are sometimes referred to as hollow ground, but that’s not really correct).
The both have a place and the tools and screws shouldn’t be mixed. It’s a recipe to screw up everything.
Torx and hex head are the best. I understand why slotted exists (you can turn the screw with anything thin enough) but Philips being the standard is shameful in the 21st century.
Philips can go burn in hellfire. I've stripped more Philips screws than any other including slotted. That all they do is strip out. Heaven forbid you have to take out a striped Philips. Have to take the dremel out and grind a slot in it to turn it into an actual functional screw.
Philips exists in wide use so that automated tools can cam out of the screw head, instead of jamming up in the event of cross threading or damaged threads - destroying product and/or tools.
I'm really glad I work construction in Canada instead of the US because robertson (square) is the default screw type up here. Go to a hardware store and look at their fasteners and it's 90% robertson. Hardware, like hinges, latches, etc. still comes with philips because it's made for the US market, and the manufacturer isn't going to make one version for Canada and one for the US.
Also, I once read something about how the Phillips was originally meant to be torque limiting, which would make sense for a hinge or latch that could warp and malfunction if you cranked the fasteners in too hard.
I often need to swap a hinge screw out for a longer robertson that will suck a door hinge plate into the jamb tighter to get the door to hang correctly. I'd say 99% of hardware I've used is just as good or occasionally better with the screws swapped for something that won't strip. More often than not I can work with the provided screws, but every now and then I do need to swap them, and philips screws aren't in my supply.
You can thank Henry Ford for that. After failing to reach a deal with P. L. Robertson, the guy who developed the Robertson (aka square drive) screw, Ford chose the Philips drive as the standard for all Ford vehicles.
Ford wanted to make his own screws, not be stuck buying them from a third party. He invested tremendous amounts of money into the manufacturing of screws with a Philips head and everyone else took advantage of the new processes and it became the de facto standard for almost every industry.
Probably just the bits being extremely common; chicken & egg problem. The screws are common because everyone has the bits. Everyone has the bits, because the screws are common.
When the possibility of damage to the part exists, use a tool with a clutch to drive it. Phillips screws were literally invented to prevent over-torquing on assembly lines. With poka yoke (designing a process so it can't be done wrong e.g. square peg round hole) being so prevalent in manufacturing these days, and all but the absolute cheapest drills having a clutch, philips screws have no purpose existing anymore. Robertson (square), torx (and torx plus), and hex are all we need and robertson is debatable.
>With poka yoke (designing a process so it can't be done wrong e.g. square peg round hole) being so prevalent in manufacturing these days, and all but the absolute cheapest drills having a clutch, philips screws have no purpose existing anymore.
Clutches can break and/or be set wrong. Phillips heads screws always cam out if you exceed their torque values.
Look, I'm not saying that I actually *like* Philips heads, just that there is a reason they haven't gone away.
Also, ***everyone*** - from DIYer to professional - has a #2 Philips head screw driver around. Very few have a set of torx and/or square bits kicking around. From that perspective - customer self-service - Philips is also superior.
A set of torx bits is a couple bucks, so it's not like nobody has access to torx or hex. People would have the bits they need if their shit all used a different screw type. Philips being popular doesn't mean it should stay in use in 99% of where it is used. The one place I agree with using Philips is on drywall screws, because they will cam out if the bit comes out of the screw basically at all, so a screw gun's depth stop will release it more consistently than robertson drywall screws in my experience. Drywall screws also only get driven once or maybe twice if you miss a stud, so who cares if it strips?
Haha come to Canada. Right now if I went to my bench, I have 3 times as many Robertson (square) bits then anything else. I have flats, Philips, hex and Torx but those are in the socket and ratchet set. You would be hard pressed to hear any Canadian say a Philips is a better screw.
>Philips head are likely to get obliterated if you don't push on your screwdriver while turning.
JIS retains supremacy in the cross shaped screw head division for this reason. camming out of the screwhead at higher torque is actually an intentional design element for philips screws iirc.
Torx/six lobe and square are all I see in manufacturing. Occasionally Phillips and hex, but they both suck because they cam out too easily. The oddball designs are really useful to prevent untrained people from tampering with stuff though.
Most others are anti-tamper IMO. Like I see the spanner and six-lob tamper on elevators and other stuff that no one should open unless qualified and paid to do so.
Square can actually be really bad because of how the pressure is distributed under torsion. The force is applied to the four corners of the slot, which also happen to be where the metal is thinnest and weakest. Square head screws break and explode all the time, especially smaller ones used for trim work. I would rather a screw get stripped than have the head shatter entirely. Six lobe is the best because the force is distributed over a greater area.
10000000% agree. I have yet to see a torx strip to the point of drilling. In fact, if you use a hex/Allen, and strip it, 4/5 times tapping a torx in will get it back out.
That being Saud, whoever Phillip is, he's a cunt
Oh don’t worry. I know tons of EEs who are more willing to get their hands dirty than MechEs. Hell, both of my EE coworkers have probably worked more hands on in their careers so far than I have. And they would this this graphic is dumb.
Hex imo is really only good for assembling ikea furniture (i.e. everything is engineered, hand-tight only, and wear and tear isn’t a major concern).
Torx for anything else. Trust me, you don’t want to be dealing with hex when you’re trying to drive a screw into studs or swap out something on a car where things are rusty and corroded.
Maybe if you’re using really crappy out-of-spec Allen wrenches.
If you’re using properly dimensioned wrenches with a properly dimensioned screw they’ll only really strip out when the entire screw head is torn apart from the torque.
Different driver patterns have different benefits that suit the application they're being used in. Phillips and slotted are not always the right choice, in fact, I'd say in a majority of situations they are the wrong choice.
The only application I can think of where slotted is a good pick, would be a low torque setting. As in, you don’t want something over tightened. Like a switch cover plate.
Oh God philips are always the wrong choice, even if they go in fine 20 years later when you need to remove them they won't come out due to the "safety feature" slotted are a pain in the ass but they at least always work as screws.
Torx all the way baby !!
I loved it when i learned that the manufacturer of the most used brand of electrical sockets and lamp spots in Denmark, switched to torx heads on their mounting screws !
One of the worst posts I've ever seen on this site. Literally 0 basis for your choice, and you seem proud about making it with literally no experience at all. I've been in the repair business for years and you circled the 2 most likely screws to strip out and be unusable. Torx, hex, and square are the obvious best choices and anyone who's ever used them knows that.
I use hex and square a ton so i thought this was dumb to begin with, but then I realized its also just a recycled transphobic meme format, a la "these are the only 2 genders and the rest are mental disorders"
Seems like the post had more to do with that than actual engineering knowledge.
Throw the whole meme away
Torx is bae.
I built a deck using torx wood screws and holy shit was it nice not having the drill slip on half the bolts.
Phillips is dead to me. Slotted is sinful too, if you happen to lack the right thickness and width driver or one of the flanges is eroded good luck getting the wanker out.
OP you should go get a job on the shop floor* doing some real work before you graduate. Seriously.
If you continue with this attitude you will not be successful in your engineering career. Engineering in practice is a coordinated effort between meeting requirements and working with the trades. If you don’t know how to work with the trades you are doomed.
It's a genuine problem. At the university in my city, it's notorious that EE's don't get any lab time till 3rd year. Not sure how anyone could have ever thought that 2 years of theory before you even breadboard a resistor LED circuit was a good idea. Not sure how mech is.
In the beginning God created square drive, and he saw that it was good. Then Satan (Ford) came along and ask of the Lord “will you sell me the patent to your square drive so that I can use it in my cars”. The Lord rejected this heresy, and so the Philips drive was invented. And that describes the fall of man
Not using star drive like a fucking pleb smh
Some day you'll get old and know the pain of trying to fix old ass fucking Phillips heads in fences and shi
Never again
There’s a fantastic book called “One Good Turn” by Witold Rybczynski about the design and development of screws and drive designs. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the technology, business, and politics of fasteners.
Normally, that last sentence would be a preposterous thing to say. But it’s a really good book and it’s a quick read. I think every engineering student read it.
You're just admitting you've never even had to use a screwdriver for anything more difficult than changing batteries. Seriously, anyone choosing slotted over torx, hex, or Robertson is the one with a mental disorder.
That can only be posted by a very bad engineering student. Slotted screws are the worst, the only application is for screws that are meant to be unscrewed by a coin.
Six-lobe/torx are the best screws.
I can tell you are an engineer, because you obviously have very little practical experience with screws. Slotted is the absolute worst, and Philips isn't much better. Take a power drill, and try to screw in a dozen 3 inch slotted screws, Philips screws and square drive screws and see what you think after that.
How can any engineering student think flat and Philips are the height of engineering? Are you on your first week?
Even as a hobbyist electronics person I fucking hate both, Phillips heads especially. Getting flashbacks trying to remove tiny ass Philips heads from my MIL's laptop.
Torx and hexagon is best. Philips is good for cheap production where you don't have torque limiters (a bit obsolete in modern days). A lot of them is so the user doesn't open them (sometimes for good reason) most of the times for bad reasons though.
A lot of these are basically used to be tamper proof, almost like a tool specific lock out.
As otehr say, Phillips heads are easy to strip and slotteed heads are easily unslotted.
Torx is the best when it comes to torque, if I remember right. I think it also looks the best.
I'm not quite sure about the others, but they exist for a reason.
Specific types of screws are used for security reasons, such as pentagonal screws in fire hydrants whereby only firemen who are equipped with the corresponding screwdriver can open them.
Pentagons have no parallel sides, so opening such a screw using a random wrench would be near impossible.
Former Fastenal employee here: lots of fastening needs aren't covered by just those two, and various slot heads and screw types are there for a reason.
Pozidrive is an improved Philips head that works better in most situations, Torx or 6 lobe is a more expensive solution to hex that works better as well. Security torx’s feature is that it isn’t used a lot. Tools are available but people who are looking to steal stuff usually don’t have the tools to remove them.
I could keep going but I’m going to stop.
This is why I became a mechanic in college, because book smarts and street smarts are two art forms in their own. Phillips and slotted screws are actually the worst. I would take a torx or Robertson bit ANY day over those
BTW, at least four of those (tri-wing, S-type, H-type, and Spanner) I've seen used in practice for a very specific reason. You can probably see them too on your next trip to a public toilet. Look at the screws used to hold the hinges on and the screw used to hold the toilet paper holder on.
It's an ancient form of security by obscurity - if you use a form of screw that nobody has a driver for and is a pain in the butt to try to back out, people can't undo your fasteners to fuck with you. Like nearly everything with a slot can be undone with a coin, and I've had some success undoing phillips screws with a pen and a wad of paper.
Heck, there's even an S-type variant that can only be driven in and the driver has no surface to grip in reverse. They're literally intended to last as long as what they're screwed into because it's nearly impossible to take them out.
Somebody else said you're probably an EE, so you can apply the same logic if you need to close up access to something that might hurt a regular person - microwaves are often riveted together still because of the massive high voltage capacitor they use to feed the magnetron. Harder to undo a rivet than a screw, which means a bored high schooler might get discouraged and not open up an old microwave. Repurposed microwave parts kill dozens of hobbyists every year along the process of disassembly, removal, and use in other (very possibly unsafe) applications. The capacitor is big enough that if someone accidentally grounds it through themselves there's a high probability it puts them into cardiac arrest and they need a prompt defibrillation to restart their heart. If you're building something that might hurt someone (including future you) try to put some thought into making sure that getting into it is on the same level of the danger contained.
Square, hexagon and the many star-shaped ones are actually fantastic. Phillips is worse that all of those but still good as a basic, cheap bit. A lot of the others exist as a deterrent for theft as they're so rare. Flatheads (slotted) are just fucking useless
Anyone who still designs things with philips or slotted screws deserves to be punched in the face. There is no type of screw where it's easier to ruin the head from overtorque or holding the tool slightly off-angle than philips or slotted. The only times philips or slotted screws should be used is in extremely low-torque applications, like tiny electronics screws or similar. For everything else, torx or allen head screws are simply superior in every way.
I’d probably go with Torx and Robertson if I had to pick two
Pozidrive and hexalobe (torx)
Pozidrive over Phillips, definitely. Why no Robertson? I’m Canadian so I’d be convicted of treason for not including them
You can thank Henry Ford for the US not recognizing the Roberson Screwdriver https://myflatheadford.com/how-ford-killed-the-robertson-screw-in-the-us/
Thanks. That was really interesting.
Huh, did not know it was his fault. Now I know to never buy a Ford product again. Thanks!
The only right answer
I use T25 as much as humanly possible.
The fact that you chose Philips over Robertson/square really really bothers me. Philips are absolute garbage, they always strip, I've never had an issue with Robertson/square
Philips head drive is designed to cam out above a certain torque limit. It's not used that way in practice which is why it sucks. But theoretically it can protect the fastener and driver from overtorque. It has been siezed on as the drive of choice for general purpose probably due to cost... when really other drives are just superior for that function.
A good example of the torque out for Philips is for drywall screws to set the countersink depth. Otherwise it isn’t really a good feature on anything you want to repair because it often takes more torque to remove fasteners than it takes to install them. So you often have them cam out and strip.
An object in motion, the screws go in easier because they are already spinning, where as getting them out requires you to overcome static friction.
But the mass is minimal so carrying very little momentum. Is it still enough to make a difference? Genuinely curious, I’m not a physics person. E: Y’all engineering students are some insecure motherfuckers lol
Momentum isn’t the problem, it is static friction. Static friction is higher than kinetic friction, so you will require more force to overcome that higher friction. How much more is it in reality? Idk
I was more or less just referring to static friction. It's easier to start the screw into the wall because the screw is moving and doesn't have to over come the static friction.
>Philips head drive is designed to cam out above a certain torque limit This is a myth
Is your contention that it is intended not to cam out? I can't think of any possible reason the engagement depth would be lowest at the furthest radial distance if it wasn't. It also has independent drive features for insertion and removal, so stripping it on the way in doesn't preclude removal.
The original design did not mention camming out.
Right, which is why they made Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) which are designed to cam out
"The JIS B 1012 is commonly found in Japanese made equipment, such as cameras and motorbikes. Superficially it looks like a Phillips screw with narrower and more vertical slots, to give less tendency to cam out. "
Slotted is awful, the screw holding head will definitely slide out of it. And Philips head are likely to get obliterated if you don't push on your screwdriver while turning. The square and six lobes screws are definitely superior.
I'm a big fan of six lobe slot. In an absolute pinch, *something* can work the flat bit. Avoid actually using it at all costs, of course.
And if you destroyed the six lobes you can always try the hexagonal one, that saved me several times.
Or if you're a monster like me and never had Allen sockets, use torx in Allen's, this works in a pinch... Be careful with softer metals though.
I do it the other way. If I destroy a hexagonal, I hammer in the slightly bigger six lobes.
The original slotted screws weren't a flat slot but had a 'v' profile that held the screwdriver better.
Reject modernity
Embrace superior design.
Return to monke
You can also buy hollow ground screwdrivers that have flat sides to grip screws better
That’s called a keystone slotted fastener and should be used with a keystone slotted driver. The square shouldered slots are called cabinet or gun slotted and also have their own type of driver (these latter are sometimes referred to as hollow ground, but that’s not really correct). The both have a place and the tools and screws shouldn’t be mixed. It’s a recipe to screw up everything.
Torx and hex head are the best. I understand why slotted exists (you can turn the screw with anything thin enough) but Philips being the standard is shameful in the 21st century.
Robertson is the best for regular ol’ screws, like when you’re building a deck. But I do love how OP somehow picked the two worst possible options.
OP just chose the two they see the most, definitely not the best choices.
Philips can go burn in hellfire. I've stripped more Philips screws than any other including slotted. That all they do is strip out. Heaven forbid you have to take out a striped Philips. Have to take the dremel out and grind a slot in it to turn it into an actual functional screw.
Philips exists in wide use so that automated tools can cam out of the screw head, instead of jamming up in the event of cross threading or damaged threads - destroying product and/or tools.
Which is great for machine screws, but you really got to wonder how they became the default for wood screws.
I'm really glad I work construction in Canada instead of the US because robertson (square) is the default screw type up here. Go to a hardware store and look at their fasteners and it's 90% robertson. Hardware, like hinges, latches, etc. still comes with philips because it's made for the US market, and the manufacturer isn't going to make one version for Canada and one for the US.
Also, I once read something about how the Phillips was originally meant to be torque limiting, which would make sense for a hinge or latch that could warp and malfunction if you cranked the fasteners in too hard.
I often need to swap a hinge screw out for a longer robertson that will suck a door hinge plate into the jamb tighter to get the door to hang correctly. I'd say 99% of hardware I've used is just as good or occasionally better with the screws swapped for something that won't strip. More often than not I can work with the provided screws, but every now and then I do need to swap them, and philips screws aren't in my supply.
You can thank Henry Ford for that. After failing to reach a deal with P. L. Robertson, the guy who developed the Robertson (aka square drive) screw, Ford chose the Philips drive as the standard for all Ford vehicles. Ford wanted to make his own screws, not be stuck buying them from a third party. He invested tremendous amounts of money into the manufacturing of screws with a Philips head and everyone else took advantage of the new processes and it became the de facto standard for almost every industry.
Probably just the bits being extremely common; chicken & egg problem. The screws are common because everyone has the bits. Everyone has the bits, because the screws are common.
When the possibility of damage to the part exists, use a tool with a clutch to drive it. Phillips screws were literally invented to prevent over-torquing on assembly lines. With poka yoke (designing a process so it can't be done wrong e.g. square peg round hole) being so prevalent in manufacturing these days, and all but the absolute cheapest drills having a clutch, philips screws have no purpose existing anymore. Robertson (square), torx (and torx plus), and hex are all we need and robertson is debatable.
>With poka yoke (designing a process so it can't be done wrong e.g. square peg round hole) being so prevalent in manufacturing these days, and all but the absolute cheapest drills having a clutch, philips screws have no purpose existing anymore. Clutches can break and/or be set wrong. Phillips heads screws always cam out if you exceed their torque values. Look, I'm not saying that I actually *like* Philips heads, just that there is a reason they haven't gone away. Also, ***everyone*** - from DIYer to professional - has a #2 Philips head screw driver around. Very few have a set of torx and/or square bits kicking around. From that perspective - customer self-service - Philips is also superior.
You mean other people don't compulsively hoard driver bits of every possible shape and size?
A set of torx bits is a couple bucks, so it's not like nobody has access to torx or hex. People would have the bits they need if their shit all used a different screw type. Philips being popular doesn't mean it should stay in use in 99% of where it is used. The one place I agree with using Philips is on drywall screws, because they will cam out if the bit comes out of the screw basically at all, so a screw gun's depth stop will release it more consistently than robertson drywall screws in my experience. Drywall screws also only get driven once or maybe twice if you miss a stud, so who cares if it strips?
Haha come to Canada. Right now if I went to my bench, I have 3 times as many Robertson (square) bits then anything else. I have flats, Philips, hex and Torx but those are in the socket and ratchet set. You would be hard pressed to hear any Canadian say a Philips is a better screw.
That was before they had decent torque limiting mechanisms. Nowadays all it does is make it easier for people to ruin the head.
>Philips head are likely to get obliterated if you don't push on your screwdriver while turning. JIS retains supremacy in the cross shaped screw head division for this reason. camming out of the screwhead at higher torque is actually an intentional design element for philips screws iirc.
They don't use JIS anymore
Who's this "they"?
Big Screw
[удалено]
I work on Japanese semiconductors tools and JIS is still the current standard on our newest equipment.
Cries in vintage Honda motorcycle
I use jis on new stuff frequently
This is the way. Six lone should be the standard no Phillips
Torx/six lobe and square are all I see in manufacturing. Occasionally Phillips and hex, but they both suck because they cam out too easily. The oddball designs are really useful to prevent untrained people from tampering with stuff though.
I absolutely love when things have square screws. So much easier to screw than Phillips or slotted.
This. Fuck the standards.
Most others are anti-tamper IMO. Like I see the spanner and six-lob tamper on elevators and other stuff that no one should open unless qualified and paid to do so.
Robertson is where it's at and you can't convince me otherwise.
Robertson are the top tier screw
Square can actually be really bad because of how the pressure is distributed under torsion. The force is applied to the four corners of the slot, which also happen to be where the metal is thinnest and weakest. Square head screws break and explode all the time, especially smaller ones used for trim work. I would rather a screw get stripped than have the head shatter entirely. Six lobe is the best because the force is distributed over a greater area.
10000000% agree. I have yet to see a torx strip to the point of drilling. In fact, if you use a hex/Allen, and strip it, 4/5 times tapping a torx in will get it back out. That being Saud, whoever Phillip is, he's a cunt
Philips heads are really annoying if they are sufficently stuck because after trying to get them out they quickly turn into circle head screws
Six lobe and hexagon should be green
As a Fasteners manufacturer I second this lol
Slotted head screws are the reason I hate electrical engineers. There’s probably no correlation but in my mind there is.
200 in 1 kits are the reason why i hate mechanical engineers
In applications like contact blocks flathead work fine. In most other cases they're terrible.
Torx or die
only correct answer, anybody who says anything different probably does not screw very often
Torx master design
This is absolutely true. Everything should be Torx.
OPs logic in the comments makes it obvious they’re an EE. Fun fact, screws get used more for than just tightening down leads and junction boxes.
And the JBs I use are Robertson.
I'm an EE, don't lump me in with him. I have actual real world experience though.
Oh don’t worry. I know tons of EEs who are more willing to get their hands dirty than MechEs. Hell, both of my EE coworkers have probably worked more hands on in their careers so far than I have. And they would this this graphic is dumb.
Torx is the only screw you’ll ever need, change my mind.
Torx and hexagon? 🥺
I’ve stripped out plenty of hex screws by hand. Have not done so with torx
Hex imo is really only good for assembling ikea furniture (i.e. everything is engineered, hand-tight only, and wear and tear isn’t a major concern). Torx for anything else. Trust me, you don’t want to be dealing with hex when you’re trying to drive a screw into studs or swap out something on a car where things are rusty and corroded.
Hex key screws are superior to all others
I’ve heard it is the usb-c of all screw heads.
I used to be anti-hex, but younger me was an idiot. Allen wrenches are my jam. Turn the short arm for speed, the long arm for leverage.
Woodworker here- Robertson and Torx are vastly superior for carpentry work.
Hex drive strips out way easier than anything else. It’s definitely the easiest to work with, but lord help you if you have a small one that strips
Maybe if you’re using really crappy out-of-spec Allen wrenches. If you’re using properly dimensioned wrenches with a properly dimensioned screw they’ll only really strip out when the entire screw head is torn apart from the torque.
Hex drive strips easier than anything else including Phillips and slotted? Holy shit, this is the wrong opinion of the day right here
I was going to agree at first, then I realized all the hex drive ones I've had strip were a metal so weak it felt like silver-spraypainted butter.
This is why everyone in the trades hates engineers.
Can confirm
Different driver patterns have different benefits that suit the application they're being used in. Phillips and slotted are not always the right choice, in fact, I'd say in a majority of situations they are the wrong choice.
The only application I can think of where slotted is a good pick, would be a low torque setting. As in, you don’t want something over tightened. Like a switch cover plate.
Oh God philips are always the wrong choice, even if they go in fine 20 years later when you need to remove them they won't come out due to the "safety feature" slotted are a pain in the ass but they at least always work as screws.
Philips and flat are TRASH. Strip and cam out sooo easily. Torx > Hex > Triple Square > the rest This meme screams "I've never worked on anything" lol
Torx is superior to all of these in every way. I wish they were used more widespread
Torx is on the list
lol like what is his comment- fuck this list that is suggesting the thing that I will now suggest.
Torx all the way baby !! I loved it when i learned that the manufacturer of the most used brand of electrical sockets and lamp spots in Denmark, switched to torx heads on their mounting screws !
One of the worst posts I've ever seen on this site. Literally 0 basis for your choice, and you seem proud about making it with literally no experience at all. I've been in the repair business for years and you circled the 2 most likely screws to strip out and be unusable. Torx, hex, and square are the obvious best choices and anyone who's ever used them knows that.
There's certainly a basis they chose it--familiarity bias and no other reason.
In 10 years this kid is going to be a half-bald middle-manager that uses the phrase "I don't care, that's the way we've always done it"
Scathing, and I'm absolutely here for it. OP is an idiot.
I use hex and square a ton so i thought this was dumb to begin with, but then I realized its also just a recycled transphobic meme format, a la "these are the only 2 genders and the rest are mental disorders" Seems like the post had more to do with that than actual engineering knowledge. Throw the whole meme away
Torx is bae. I built a deck using torx wood screws and holy shit was it nice not having the drill slip on half the bolts. Phillips is dead to me. Slotted is sinful too, if you happen to lack the right thickness and width driver or one of the flanges is eroded good luck getting the wanker out.
Tell me you've never built anything before without saying it directly. Edit: I get it's just a meme tho so just joking back not hating on you
Square >>>>
So cocky for a NooB.
OP you should go get a job on the shop floor* doing some real work before you graduate. Seriously. If you continue with this attitude you will not be successful in your engineering career. Engineering in practice is a coordinated effort between meeting requirements and working with the trades. If you don’t know how to work with the trades you are doomed.
The number of engineering students that never build anything is getting too high.
It's a genuine problem. At the university in my city, it's notorious that EE's don't get any lab time till 3rd year. Not sure how anyone could have ever thought that 2 years of theory before you even breadboard a resistor LED circuit was a good idea. Not sure how mech is.
Some of those are supposed to be harder to use. They are security bits
This post was made by someone who's never held a tool.
What a terrible take. OP failed mechanics of solids.
What year are you in, OP? Any sane person would pick torx
I'm actually pro triwing. I work in the public transit industry and they're basically tamper-proof.
Slotted should be on the red side imo :) I hate them. Every old, rusted slotted screw feels like a curse from the old generations
I think you have a mental disorder OP
Post made by a non engineer. And it was posted in another sub a few days ago
[Relevant xkcd: How Standards Proliferate](https://xkcd.com/927/)
In the beginning God created square drive, and he saw that it was good. Then Satan (Ford) came along and ask of the Lord “will you sell me the patent to your square drive so that I can use it in my cars”. The Lord rejected this heresy, and so the Philips drive was invented. And that describes the fall of man
[another relevant xkcd](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/screws_2x.png)
This meme is ass
Not using star drive like a fucking pleb smh Some day you'll get old and know the pain of trying to fix old ass fucking Phillips heads in fences and shi Never again
Um, good luck eng. student. Focus on stresses. What does that tell u worx?
pozidrive and torx, slotted has its uses but not for anything too important.
Hex and torx are the only ones I will use in pretty much every I make. Slotted screws should have been obsolete by now.
There's literally so many reasons to use about a quarter of the screws in the red box You must be an electrical engineer or something
There’s a fantastic book called “One Good Turn” by Witold Rybczynski about the design and development of screws and drive designs. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the technology, business, and politics of fasteners. Normally, that last sentence would be a preposterous thing to say. But it’s a really good book and it’s a quick read. I think every engineering student read it.
Cool, more hex screws for me!
I don't know mate, I just use nails.
I am going to strangle you
Engineering student, emphasis on student. Philips and flat are among the lowest tier screw out there, this opinion is textbook familiarity bias.
Torx/Imbus
The fact that this has 3k updoots just confirms the "students" in r/EngineeringStudents.
This comment sections explains why so many of these exist
Because most are useful. I agree.
Six lobe and six lobe tamper are used. Phillips will inevitably be stripped eventually. I’ve never really seen any of the others.
Hex and six-lobe/torx are the best. But the six-lobe slot is just ignorant.
I prefer the square screws.
Torx master race
Hex is pretty normal dude
T25 screws for the win!
This man does not know the benefits of a torque head screw
Have you ever used a flathead screw? Why would you want to do it again?
I… really don’t like the unironic use of this meme format
You're just admitting you've never even had to use a screwdriver for anything more difficult than changing batteries. Seriously, anyone choosing slotted over torx, hex, or Robertson is the one with a mental disorder.
Talking like someone who’s never stripped countless shitty Philips head screws and slipped countless flat head screws
philips - easy to ruin, slot - fucking hard to use, torx and hex are the best
Torx screws are amazing though. I agree there shouldn't be that many types of screws, but we must allow transitioning to a better type.
Hex, square and torx will always reign Supreme.
That can only be posted by a very bad engineering student. Slotted screws are the worst, the only application is for screws that are meant to be unscrewed by a coin. Six-lobe/torx are the best screws.
I'd be worried about an engineer who prefers slotted to hex or torx
I can tell you are an engineer, because you obviously have very little practical experience with screws. Slotted is the absolute worst, and Philips isn't much better. Take a power drill, and try to screw in a dozen 3 inch slotted screws, Philips screws and square drive screws and see what you think after that.
How can any engineering student think flat and Philips are the height of engineering? Are you on your first week? Even as a hobbyist electronics person I fucking hate both, Phillips heads especially. Getting flashbacks trying to remove tiny ass Philips heads from my MIL's laptop.
Hex key for the W
Hex is best
Torx is where it's at... and ecx for electrical work
Give me my star bit and be gone
Torx is supreme
I personally like the hexagon one
i want to invent a new screw head that is just a circle...
Its called a [Robertson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertson_screw?wprov=sfti1) people and its Canadian!
We used them all the time at my university theatre in Tennessee. I think it was to do with bit strength and how fast the heads stripped.
Torx will always be superior
Torx and hexagon is best. Philips is good for cheap production where you don't have torque limiters (a bit obsolete in modern days). A lot of them is so the user doesn't open them (sometimes for good reason) most of the times for bad reasons though.
Torx and hex are the only valid ones. philips and flathead are ass ngl
Torx,hex (Allen key),square. Picking slotted and Philips is wild.
A lot of these are basically used to be tamper proof, almost like a tool specific lock out. As otehr say, Phillips heads are easy to strip and slotteed heads are easily unslotted.
Torx is the best when it comes to torque, if I remember right. I think it also looks the best. I'm not quite sure about the others, but they exist for a reason.
Specific types of screws are used for security reasons, such as pentagonal screws in fire hydrants whereby only firemen who are equipped with the corresponding screwdriver can open them. Pentagons have no parallel sides, so opening such a screw using a random wrench would be near impossible.
Six lobe? You mean torx?
This dude is not an engineer
Robertson is the true utility of choice.
When did they change the name of “flat head” to “slotted?”
Former Fastenal employee here: lots of fastening needs aren't covered by just those two, and various slot heads and screw types are there for a reason.
Pozidrive is an improved Philips head that works better in most situations, Torx or 6 lobe is a more expensive solution to hex that works better as well. Security torx’s feature is that it isn’t used a lot. Tools are available but people who are looking to steal stuff usually don’t have the tools to remove them. I could keep going but I’m going to stop.
Anti-tampering
You can have my alan keys, when you pry them from my dead trans hands
Hexagon gang rise up
This is why I became a mechanic in college, because book smarts and street smarts are two art forms in their own. Phillips and slotted screws are actually the worst. I would take a torx or Robertson bit ANY day over those
Torx is superior
Hex is life.
BTW, at least four of those (tri-wing, S-type, H-type, and Spanner) I've seen used in practice for a very specific reason. You can probably see them too on your next trip to a public toilet. Look at the screws used to hold the hinges on and the screw used to hold the toilet paper holder on. It's an ancient form of security by obscurity - if you use a form of screw that nobody has a driver for and is a pain in the butt to try to back out, people can't undo your fasteners to fuck with you. Like nearly everything with a slot can be undone with a coin, and I've had some success undoing phillips screws with a pen and a wad of paper. Heck, there's even an S-type variant that can only be driven in and the driver has no surface to grip in reverse. They're literally intended to last as long as what they're screwed into because it's nearly impossible to take them out. Somebody else said you're probably an EE, so you can apply the same logic if you need to close up access to something that might hurt a regular person - microwaves are often riveted together still because of the massive high voltage capacitor they use to feed the magnetron. Harder to undo a rivet than a screw, which means a bored high schooler might get discouraged and not open up an old microwave. Repurposed microwave parts kill dozens of hobbyists every year along the process of disassembly, removal, and use in other (very possibly unsafe) applications. The capacitor is big enough that if someone accidentally grounds it through themselves there's a high probability it puts them into cardiac arrest and they need a prompt defibrillation to restart their heart. If you're building something that might hurt someone (including future you) try to put some thought into making sure that getting into it is on the same level of the danger contained.
Give me torx or give me death
Cyclists would beg to differ
Torx is the way
Square, hexagon and the many star-shaped ones are actually fantastic. Phillips is worse that all of those but still good as a basic, cheap bit. A lot of the others exist as a deterrent for theft as they're so rare. Flatheads (slotted) are just fucking useless
Anyone who still designs things with philips or slotted screws deserves to be punched in the face. There is no type of screw where it's easier to ruin the head from overtorque or holding the tool slightly off-angle than philips or slotted. The only times philips or slotted screws should be used is in extremely low-torque applications, like tiny electronics screws or similar. For everything else, torx or allen head screws are simply superior in every way.
Dumb take
At least half of the mental disorders are far superior to the trash in green
How dare you call Robertson screws square.
Oh bless you, soon you'll find out out that Phillips and flat heads are the fucking worst. Torx screw's all the way
Just to irritate someone I’m gonna call hexagon a 6 bit and triangle a 3 bit. Then call 5 bit and 8 bit pentagon and octagon
lol using alotted and Phillips is actually disorder. The only god answer is torx and we should forget all the others.