C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

Square head screwdriver on Phillips screws?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-06-2022, 08:06 AM
  #1  
Roger Walling
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
 
Roger Walling's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: Chicopee MA.
Posts: 2,728
Received 1,622 Likes on 668 Posts

Default Square head screwdriver on Phillips screws?

I recently watched a vidio where the mechanic stated that square head screwdrivers (Robertson) work better on Phillips screws than a Phillips screwdriver.
has anyone ever tried this?
The following users liked this post:
carl3989 (09-06-2022)

Popular Reply

09-06-2022, 11:01 AM
427Hotrod
Race Director
 
427Hotrod's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: Corsicana, Tx
Posts: 12,626
Received 1,894 Likes on 923 Posts
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

You'll also find what many people think they are using is a Reed & Prince screwdriver and not a true Phillips. They are in many screwdriver sets you get. Wrong one will strip easier.


Frearson vs Phillips The Frearson screw drive, also known as the Reed and Prince screw drive, and specified as ANSI Type II Cross Recess, is similar to a Phillips but the Frearson has a sharp tip and larger angle in the V shape.[20] One advantage over the Phillips drive is that one driver or bit fits all screw sizes. It is often found in marine hardware and requires a Frearson screwdriver or bit to work properly. The tool recess is a perfect, sharp cross, allowing for higher applied torque, unlike the rounded, tapered Phillips head, which can cam out at high torque. It was developed by an English inventor named Frearson in the 19th century and produced from the late 1930s to the mid-1970s. The Reed & Prince Mfg. Company of Worcester, Massachusetts, was put into bankruptcy in 1987 and liquidated in 1990. Another entity called Reed & Prince Manufacturing Corporation, now of Leominster, Massachusetts, purchased some of the assets including the name at the liquidation sale.[30]

As of 2022, both Frearson screws and Frearson bits are readily available in several sizes. The available screws are made of silicon bronze.[31]
Old 09-06-2022, 08:19 AM
  #2  
Chuck Gongloff
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Chuck Gongloff's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 1999
Location: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Posts: 10,734
Received 561 Likes on 349 Posts

Default

Yes, I have found that to be true. BUT, you have to find the right combination. Not all Phillips head screws are designed to be able to use a square screwdriver.

How do I know this? I volunteer at the local State Wildlife Park. I'm a "handyman". Every screw type imaginable has been used there. Phillips head screws "strip" easily, and square drivers will often save me disassembling things.
The following 3 users liked this post by Chuck Gongloff:
59BlueSilver (09-06-2022), mblake101 (09-06-2022), vettefred (09-07-2022)
Old 09-06-2022, 09:24 AM
  #3  
rick66
Pro
 
rick66's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2009
Location: Youngsville Pennsylvania
Posts: 523
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Square head drive will work on phillips heads if the screw is sized for it. I love square heads. The rage now is all torx, all the time, at least on my building projects. I hate torx. The drivers strip too quickly.
Old 09-06-2022, 09:34 AM
  #4  
kellsdad
Melting Slicks

 
kellsdad's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2001
Location: Dadeville AL
Posts: 2,749
Received 771 Likes on 402 Posts

Default

And there are hybrid screws.

The following 2 users liked this post by kellsdad:
carl3989 (09-06-2022), dcamick (09-07-2022)
Old 09-06-2022, 10:15 AM
  #5  
Bluestripe67
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Bluestripe67's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2002
Location: Close to DC
Posts: 14,552
Received 2,131 Likes on 1,469 Posts
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020

Default

Well, I just learned something! Dennis
Old 09-06-2022, 11:01 AM
  #6  
427Hotrod
Race Director
 
427Hotrod's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: Corsicana, Tx
Posts: 12,626
Received 1,894 Likes on 923 Posts
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist

Default

You'll also find what many people think they are using is a Reed & Prince screwdriver and not a true Phillips. They are in many screwdriver sets you get. Wrong one will strip easier.


Frearson vs Phillips The Frearson screw drive, also known as the Reed and Prince screw drive, and specified as ANSI Type II Cross Recess, is similar to a Phillips but the Frearson has a sharp tip and larger angle in the V shape.[20] One advantage over the Phillips drive is that one driver or bit fits all screw sizes. It is often found in marine hardware and requires a Frearson screwdriver or bit to work properly. The tool recess is a perfect, sharp cross, allowing for higher applied torque, unlike the rounded, tapered Phillips head, which can cam out at high torque. It was developed by an English inventor named Frearson in the 19th century and produced from the late 1930s to the mid-1970s. The Reed & Prince Mfg. Company of Worcester, Massachusetts, was put into bankruptcy in 1987 and liquidated in 1990. Another entity called Reed & Prince Manufacturing Corporation, now of Leominster, Massachusetts, purchased some of the assets including the name at the liquidation sale.[30]

As of 2022, both Frearson screws and Frearson bits are readily available in several sizes. The available screws are made of silicon bronze.[31]
The following 6 users liked this post by 427Hotrod:
carl3989 (09-06-2022), Dreaming60’s (09-07-2022), Oaker57 (09-06-2022), Ol Blue (09-08-2022), polo91 (09-07-2022), ptjsk (09-07-2022) and 1 others liked this post. (Show less...)
Old 09-06-2022, 01:11 PM
  #7  
silver837
Melting Slicks

Support Corvetteforum!
 
silver837's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2017
Location: Concord Ca
Posts: 3,416
Received 985 Likes on 781 Posts
Default

New knowledge ! !! ! Thanks
Old 09-07-2022, 08:45 AM
  #8  
Roger Walling
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
 
Roger Walling's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: Chicopee MA.
Posts: 2,728
Received 1,622 Likes on 668 Posts

Default

A note to someone trying this, square screwdrivers come
in different sizes.
Old 09-08-2022, 11:49 AM
  #9  
Chuck Gongloff
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Chuck Gongloff's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 1999
Location: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Posts: 10,734
Received 561 Likes on 349 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Roger Walling
A note to someone trying this, square screwdrivers come
in different sizes.
Yes, they do.

I was curious, so................. I let Google be my friend.

Apparently, there are 5 different sizes of Square Drive or Robertson screw drivers.

https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/h...river-history/
The following users liked this post:
survivor66 (09-08-2022)
Old 09-09-2022, 12:04 AM
  #10  
JrRifleCoach
Team Owner

 
JrRifleCoach's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
Posts: 20,161
Received 640 Likes on 444 Posts
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24


Default

Don't forget the JIS cross point. (Japanese Industrial Standard)

Get notified of new replies

To Square head screwdriver on Phillips screws?




Quick Reply: Square head screwdriver on Phillips screws?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:01 PM.