Here's an interesting bit* of Canadian history and woodworking trivia, brought to you by me being enraged at a screw stripping while I was trying to remove it.

Most people are familiar with two types of screws & drivers: the old fashioned slot screw and the cross-shaped Phillips screw.

What if I told you there was a better way?

In 1908, a Canadian inventor named Peter Lymburger Robertson invented a screw with a square hole for the driver. If you've done any woodworking, you're probably familiar with it. This screw/driver design was very popular, as it is self-centering and the driver rarely slips out of the screw.

So why didn't the Robertson screw catch on in the USA? I blame Henry Ford. He initially was the Robertson screws biggest fan, as it was found to remarkably increase production speed. So Ford tried to get Robertson Inc. to give him an exclusive contract. Robertson wasn't interested. In the 1930s, an American inventor, Henry Phillips, created a screw/driver with a cross-shaped slot. Mr. Ford liked this screw because it worked well with powered screwdrivers. I think he also had sour grapes over Robertson rejecting him. At any rate, Ford's adoption of the Phillips screw/driver made it very popular throughout the USA.

If you've ever tried to build Ikea furniture, you probably know the frustration of cheaply-made Phillips screws. If your screwdriver is not the precise size for the screw, it will slip out of that cross repeatedly or just turn helplessly, unable to engage with the screw. In either case, there's a chance of stripping the screwhead. This can also happen when overtightening.

My husband insists on replacing stock Ikea (and other manufacturer's) screws with Robertsons, especially on anything that requires good structural strength or is made from a harder material. Worst case is that the screwdriver bit gets stuck in the screw, but this is easily remedied. With a Phillips screw, if it strips, you're hooped. You have a loose screw or an embedded screw that's never coming out.

tl;dr: I recommend replacing Phillips screws/drivers with Robertson ones, especially if you find your Phillips screws stripping regularly.

This has been a Canadian Heritage Moment.

interestingengineering.com/inn…

*pun not initially intended, but I kept it because lols

#screws #PhillipsScrews #RobertsonScrews #canada #woodworking #ikea #screwdrivers #HenryFord

Know the Difference Between Philips and Robertson Screw? You Really Should

Overshadowed by the Philips screw, the Robertson one actually offers certain advantages.

^{Christopher McFadden (Interesting Engineering)}