screwdriver bits, what are your standards

[dirtydeeds]

i noticed dave ronyak's comment about festool not having roberston drive bits

there also seems to be little comment about pozi drives from the north americans

does this mean that robertsons are THE standard carpentry screw. or is it a little used head type

the order of use in the uk is:-

pozi drive is THE standard for all carpentry and good ironmongery

drywall screws are philips, end of

robertson screws are generally only for kreg pocket screws and fastenmaster deck screws

torx are special use, such as structural insulation panels

top quality high, end ironmongery has slotted screws (a pain in the wrist, but look good lined up vertically) 

 

[Brice Burrell]

Tom, the standard in the States for all most all screws over the last 25 years or so has been Philips, that is starting to change. Robertson (square drive) has become fairly popular also used is a combo drive, fits both the square and Philips. Torx is used more and more but still not very common. 

Drywall screws: Philips almost exclusively.
Decking screws: Philips, combo are common, stainless steel screws for use with pressure treated decking (and lumber) are square drive mostly.
Pocket screws: square.
Pozi drive screws are only used with some euro cabinet hardware.
Slotted screws are used in electrical devices. 
   

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

For everything except drywall, I use GRK screws.  All torx heads.

I dont like square drives too much. 

I do love the GRK's best dang screws you can buy.

Stainless steel screws are worthless, they are too soft.

 

[dirtydeeds]

thanks brice........ you are succinct (spelling?) as always

warner construction. my take on stainless screws is slightly different............

but we come to the same conclusion. they can be crap

a mate of mine is an engineer, he says that stainless "work hardens" as it is rolled

aparantly there are many types of stainless  ???

and screws are rolled.................  :    what do i know ?

 

[richard.selwyn]

I've just started using torx headed screws and like them a lot.  Here in France Pozi is the norm, but torx is popular with professionals.  Robertson/Square (called Cequatre here?) is still a novelty - I buy Kreg ones in the UK.  Drywall screws here are the same as in the US - Philips.  When I left England they were still nailing plasterboard!

 

[dirtydeeds]

and some of them are STILL nailing plasterboard

regardless of good practice, requirements and manufacturers instructions  :

 

[lordinteriors]

tom i am a limey too but you do come on at some strange time i used to use screwfix forum  alot so i know you from there.

when i plaster board a ceiling i tack it up with nails for a start and then screw the rest

lee

 

[Rob Z]

For everything except drywall, I use GRK screws.  All torx heads.

I dont like square drives too much. 

I do love the GRK's best dang screws you can buy.

Stainless steel screws are worthless, they are too soft.

GRK fasteners are outstanding!  I am getting an order together to replenish my stock. I get them locally from Mid Atlantic Fasteners.