Slot head or Phillips?

[OldGrain]

So what is the better of two? And obviously re firming one or more pieces of timber together be it ply/plank/board or holding hinges? Aesthetically a slot head screw seems to win almost always but can a phillips screw do just as admirable a job?

[Master Splinter]

Well, you can power drive a Phillips head without too much worry of long spiral scratches from a bit that slips out of the head.

Other than that, I don't think there's too much in it, performance wise - it's not like the head type indicates much about the actual performance of the screw shank.

You can generally get more torque on a slotted head, but that's really unnecessary (or getting towards the 'oops, broke half the head off' side of things) if you drill the right size hole to start with. And aesthetically, you have more options with clocking phillips head screws as you only ever need to turn them an extra 90 degrees, maximum.

However, you can't open a paint can with a phillips head screwdriver!

[Bob38S]

Phillips or square drive for me.

Slot heads are fine so long as the slots and driver are matched - thickness as well as whether the blade is tapered or hollow ground. Slots are more prone to slips as I'm trying to push down as well as trying not to slip sideways out of the slot.

Have no trouble "dressing" the phillips/square drive screws if exposed but usually plug or button exposed screws so not really an issue.

[joe greiner]

An uncle and a cousin (not father and son) were electricians. They told me they were instructed to always place the screw slots vertical in switchplate and outlet covers. They didn't know exactly why.

As a practical matter, the vertical slots don't collect dust. As an impractical matter, the vertical slots tell the next sparky that you knew the secret handshake.

Cheers,
Joe

[FenceFurniture]

Wouldn't give you tuppence for either. Square heads are the go, and for setting they look good as a diamond.

[rrich]

However, you can't open a paint can with a phillips head screwdriver!

It is, however, possible to open a can of paint with a chisel.

(I could not resist.)

[elanjacobs]

Slot or Phillips? NEITHER!!
Pozi-drive or ASSY for me.

[Master Splinter]

Is this where I say I have a Ryobi Airless 18 Gauge bradder??? Can't open a paint can with that, either!!!

[gordo 350]

It is, however, possible to open a can of paint with a chisel.

(I could not resist.)

Yes. But you may be thrown out of the Union

[TermiMonster]

Yes. But you may be thrown out of the Union

Been a member for 3 years, so I can't really say welcome aboard, but I will anyway,
Welcome aboard.
TM

[gordo 350]

Has it been three years? I was a lurker for a while but then lost my phone and passwords etc. Then started building a house and life keeps getting in the way. But thanx for the welcome

[Poppa]

I've been doing a lot of screwing lately. With screws, I hasten to add. I never use slot heads unless it is for hinges that will be seen on boxes. I find them too fiddly and my screwdriver skills too feeble to cope with slot heads. And I've come to detest Philips heads - I've been trying to line my shed lately, without the aid of an impact driver, and trying to drive screws through timber then into the metal of the shed with Philips heads is more difficult than my middle-aged muscles can cope with. For all of the timber attaching I've gone with square headed screws, and I find them a quantum leap better. Much less slippage of the driving bit, and a much tighter fit with the screw head. So I'm sold on the square drives.

[OldGrain]

Some interesting & fun replies. Being a former sheety (from the 60s) i got used to using slot heads over phillips. As a restorer of a vintage caravan i`ve kept faithful to slot head replacements. I succumbed to using phillips heads on some new internal cabinet framework only. Judging by what i now read here i`m of the mind to trying out these square heads as i will be fitting new frames & cabinets in the galley which thinking about realistically won`t look out of place given that it is believed to being australias first commercial built DC3 aircraft ali clad teardrop.