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)}

I am on the hunt for people who make things. Physical things. Physical things in a workshop. Or at home. Or in a studio. Or outside. But they have to be physical things. And you make them. Handmade or with machines.

I’d like to follow you and see what you make.

Please can you boost this post so that I get some reach on this post.

Many thanks.

#maker #crafting #crafts #workshop #handmade #woodworking #metalwork #paper #fabric

I’m finally to the finishing stage of the cabinet that I’ve been working on, and I put the first coat of oil on the marquetry door.

As I was about to start putting oil on, I noticed that there were some spots in the top left corner where the glue hadn’t adhered properly, and some of the veneer wasn’t sticking to the MDF underneath. The reason I noticed was because I could hear a difference in sound as I ran my fingers over it.

It’s amazing, at least as a hearing person, how much of woodworking involves listening. Usually it’s listening to the machines - things like gauging whether blades are making a clean cut or knowing when to stop lowering the sander - but sometimes it’s listening to the wood itself, in a very literal way.

I was able to use an X-Acto knife to smoosh glue under the pieces of veneer that were coming up, so hopefully that problem is now fixed.

#Woodworking #Marquetry

I am looking for like-minded people in the fediverse for sharing thoghts, projects and information about woodworking, woodcarving and especially spoon carving. How can I find these people?
Are there any existing groups or servers with these topics?
Retoots / Boosts are appreciated!

#askthefediverse #followerpower #woodworking #woodcarving #spooncarving #greenwoodcarving

Como me encantan éstas transiciones que hacen en algunos tiktoks de #woodworking

Si fuera así de fácil perdería el chiste y encanto del arte claro.
But is so #satisfying

I had an oak board and an old stick of (I think) a hazel branch sitting around. So having done a little reading about rustic furniture, I got inspired and made a little milking stool.

I know it's considered "bad taste" by some but I really like this style. I also think it's kinda cute that the natural bends of the legs anthropomorphize the stool. It looks like it's taking a step.

#woodworking #rustic