Global Market Survey: Robi or Square Drive? Now Free Shipping Internationally!

[Shawn]

Ok, so I have a few things that I would like to throw out to the FOG'ers and any feedback is appreciated.  

1. Square Drive vs. Robertson and availability:
Canadians use Robertson, Kreg uses Robertson heads... others in the USA are square drive, what are people seeing out there? Do people notice the difference? How does the fit of the driver bit into the screw effect your work?

In Canada it is hard to find square drive screws and the driver bits too for that matter, what about in USA, Europe and Australia is Robertson or Square Drive at all common there? Do people know/notice the difference? Does it matter to you?

2. Kreg Screws and Kreg in Europe and in Australia, is this common over there?  I know in Europe they use mostly Torx and Pozi, but can you get Robertson and Kreg screws if you wanted to?

3. Quality Control, we are looking for some honest feedback on our bits (for those of you who have them), our customers generally like them and do not have any quality concerns, Please post here or private message me and ALL your feedback is helpful and appreciated.

4. The Rubber washers/O-Rings were not on some Centrotec Robertson bits that went out, they are now being shipped if people want them.  We do not ship them for free and please do not expect your dealer to, but if you want some on your current order just mention that you want the O-Rings and we will ship them to you.  

5.  FREE SHIPPING From Atlas on all Centrotec Robertson orders over $40, across Canada, USA, and $100 for INTERNATIONAL (expires Dec. 31st 2012, while supplies last)

AtMac Centrotec Bit Kits

To get free shipping please paste: "FOG ALERT, FREE SHIPPING" in your order comments

I appreciate anyone who gives us feedback, thank you for your time and support.

Shawn

 

[AlexThePalex]

In Canada it is hard to find square drive screws and the driver bits too for that matter, what about in USA, Europe and Australia is Robertson or Square Drive at all common there? Do people know/notice the difference? Does it matter to you?

2. Kreg Screws and Kreg in Europe and in Australia, is this common over there?  I know in Europe they use mostly Torx and Pozi, but can you get Robertson and Kreg screws if you wanted to?

I'm not sure about the difference between square drive, Robertson and Kreg screws, they all look square to me from what I see on the net. And the net is the only place I have ever seen them. Here in The Netherlands they are not used or sold at all.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm not sure about the difference between square drive, Robertson and Kreg screws, they all look square to me from what I see on the net. And the net is the only place I have ever seen them. Here in The Netherlands they are not used or sold at all.

Alex, they are all the same.  Robertson is the inventor of the "square drive" screw/bit.  Screws and bits sold as Robertson are (generally) made to more precise tolerances than the square drive copies.  The fit with Robertson tip and screws is pretty good, the square drive copies usually don't fit as tightly.

I have a question for you guys in Europe, is the Kreg brand of pocket screw jigs and other accessories not available over there?         

 

[Alan m]

its mostly torx and pozi.
philips with cheap fittings etc (you know the  crap you get with lock sets etc , some of which you have to use or the escution plate cover wont fit )
we do have kreg over here.
this is the only place iv seen square or robertson. i dont see any diference either.

i dont think anyone (only a total festtol geek) would buy a set of robertson cenrotec that is over 140 dollars (maybe 100 euros +)
the kreg bits last ages and are cheapish.

 

[jmbfestool]

I'm not sure about the difference between square drive, Robertson and Kreg screws, they all look square to me from what I see on the net. And the net is the only place I have ever seen them. Here in The Netherlands they are not used or sold at all.

Alex, they are all the same.  Robertson is the inventor of the "square drive" screw/bit.  Screws and bits sold as Robertson are (generally) made to more precise tolerances than the square drive copies.  The fit with Robertson tip and screws is pretty good, the square drive copies usually don't fit as tightly.

I have a question for you guys in Europe, is the Kreg brand of pocket screw jigs and other accessories not available over there?           

Yeah you can easily get them from many dealers in UK  BUT they are not very known though by many tradesmen in the UK.

JMB

 

[AlexThePalex]

You can get the Kreg jig here in Holland too. But it's not a common thing, you need to find a company that specialises in importing stuff from America, which are only a couple.

 

[Timtool]

I bought the Trend pocket hole jig from a UK store, it came with square drive bits and screws. For all i know Trend is a UK company, i don't know why they use square.
It's the first time i had seen/used them, in this application i guess it makes sense because the long square bits required for pocket holes are more simple and robust than torx would be. But in general i only work with torx.

 

[Shawn]

I'm not sure about the difference between square drive, Robertson and Kreg screws, they all look square to me from what I see on the net. And the net is the only place I have ever seen them. Here in The Netherlands they are not used or sold at all.

Alex, they are all the same.  Robertson is the inventor of the "square drive" screw/bit.  Screws and bits sold as Robertson are (generally) made to more precise tolerances than the square drive copies.  The fit with Robertson tip and screws is pretty good, the square drive copies usually don't fit as tightly.

I have a question for you guys in Europe, is the Kreg brand of pocket screw jigs and other accessories not available over there?           

Although square drive and robertson fit,  it is sometimes like using a Torx 20 to drive a T25 screw, just not as nice at all. The robertson screws and driver bits feature a previously patented? Square but also tapered fit. The square drives is not tapered and to fit properly into both, they are made sloppy.  People who use real robertson (tapered square R1, R2, R3 etc, not necissarily the brand robertson) will find it to be much better than mixing robertson with square drive. In canada this may seem easy as finding true robi screws and bits are evrywhere, but my thinking in other countries it is not and people are mixing and matching and it is damaging to the brand/image/quality fit of a true robertson.

Shawn

 

[AlexThePalex]

I bought the Trend pocket hole jig from a UK store, it came with square drive bits and screws. For all i know Trend is a UK company, i don't know why they use square.
It's the first time i had seen/used them, in this application i guess it makes sense because the long square bits required for pocket holes are more simple and robust than torx would be. But in general i only work with torx.

Seems more to me they are trying to get you to use a rare system only they can provide. There is no structural difference between the different types of screw heads.

 

[Timtool]

Seems more to me they are trying to get you to use a rare system only they can provide. There is no structural difference between the different types of screw heads.

That's possible although i am not sure Trend makes these screws, these type of screws are nearly impossible to find in any other form any way. For pocket holes you need a bit that is at least 100mm long, and since you don't see the screw there is frequent camming out. Which would destroy an expensive torx bit quickly, the simple square shape of the square drive makes the angles more resistant. It does wear, but it won't grind away.

 

[AlexThePalex]

That's possible although i am not sure Trend makes these screws, these type of screws are nearly impossible to find in any other form any way.

They don't have to make them, just import them.

For pocket holes you need a bit that is at least 100mm long, and since you don't see the screw there is frequent camming out.

I use long bits all the time. There is no camming out worth mentioning. Not with pozi, and even less with torx. You make it sound as if it's difficult driving in a hole. It's not.

 

[Alan m]

i do find there is some camming out on the kreg screws. but only when taking them out . its probably crap in the hole or me not being able to see the screw head and its angle etc

 

[GhostFist]

Hey Shawn, still using the first run batch of Robbies daily and they're holding up excellent.

 

[Shawn]

Hey Shawn, still using the first run batch of Robbies daily and they're holding up excellent.

That is not good for sales ghostfist!! Figured you would be back for seconds by now... Glad to hear the good words about lack of wear,  as I know you drive a lot of screws.

Although myself at Atlas are so Robi Robi Robi... We just took on GRK screws, I couldn't get over driving a GRK 2-1/2" R4 screw through hard maple without countersinking or pre drilling and having the head flush. It is wild... They should come out with robi, hahhaha.

 

[Vi_k]

I am cruising around the house drifting #2 Robbies in everywhere! Thanks Santa!  [big grin] ;D [big grin]

Happy Holidays,

Vi_k