What's The Point Of Slot-Head Screws?

[Brigadier]

I find screws with hexagonal openings (as for Allen keys) provide a very definite contact when using an electric drill/driver.

Incidentally, I found it interesting when I discovered (a long time ago, I should add) that the original screws were designed only to be unscrewed! They were inserted by being hit with a hammer and the thread and cross head was there just for the convenience of removal. From that came the slang name 'Birmingham screwdriver' = hammer.

Very good point!
My dad started his apprenticeship (as a spark) around 1961.
When yabbering with him about recessions, productivity etc, a few years ago, he told me a story about his first boss.
If my dad was screwing a screw in and ol' Mr Truman saw him, the latter would say, "you're wasting time! Screwin' is for taking them out! A hammer's for putting them in!"
Perhaps he wasn't cutting corners after all

 

[longdogs]

I treated myself to a new set of Stanley screwdrivers a few weeks back and so far I havn't come across one pozi or phillips screw that they fit correctly. My ten year old screwdriver always comes to the rescue.

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

I treated myself to a new set of Stanley screwdrivers a few weeks back and so far I havn't come across one pozi or phillips screw that they fit correctly. My ten year old screwdriver always comes to the rescue.

Is that the set with the black handle and yellow highlights,I have a set they are the weired sort of pozi phill type heads that do neither very well, that is strange seeing as stanley were one of the first to recognise the difference and colour coded the handles red and blue

 

[gregers]

hammer=screw driver
screw driver=screw turner,

next time your on site ask the agent for slots instead of pozi types,YOU wont be on site long.all to do with saving time=earning more profit.

another scenario,turn up on site with only a yankee and see how long you last,compared to the next chap with a cordless .
again,time/motions profits etc.

still like to see slots on brass work and having ALL screws vertical.look like they were put in by a craftsman rather then a diyer.

if you end up having to use a lot of slots,then make sure you obviously do a pilot hole 1st,and make sure you have something like tallow to hand.

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

hammer=screw driver
screw driver=screw turner,

next time your on site ask the agent for slots instead of pozi types,YOU wont be on site long.all to do with saving time=earning more profit.

another scenario,turn up on site with only a yankee and see how long you last,compared to the next chap with a cordless .
again,time/motions profits etc.

still like to see slots on brass work and having ALL screws vertical.look like they were put in by a craftsman rather then a diyer.

if you end up having to use a lot of slots,then make sure you obviously do a pilot hole 1st,and make sure you have something like tallow to hand.

Classic old school,I still have a Tallow pot a bit smelly but still comes into play now and then I used to have job keeping the dog out of it when the top was left open.

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

Slotted screws were never a problem,hammer the screw nearly in, then half a pump with the yankee job done ,life was too short to get the wheel brace out

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

Does anyone still use a bradawl?

 

[longdogs]

Does anyone still use a bradawl?

Nah, I use my electrical tester screwdriver for that

 

[longdogs]

I treated myself to a new set of Stanley screwdrivers a few weeks back and so far I havn't come across one pozi or phillips screw that they fit correctly. My ten year old screwdriver always comes to the rescue.

Is that the set with the black handle and yellow highlights,I have a set they are the weired sort of pozi phill type heads that do neither very well, that is strange seeing as stanley were one of the first to recognise the difference and colour coded the handles red and blue

Yes, that's them. good for stirring paint/mixing filler

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

I still use em I think their ace for door furniture I have a right collection of different types and sizes ,

 

[longdogs]

I still use em I think their ace for door furniture I have a right collection of different types and sizes ,

....and I bet, as I do, you look at a screw and know exactly which screwdriver you need for the job?

 

[gregers]

Does anyone still use a bradawl?

nope just a nail

my pot of tallow must be over 17 odd years old now relived it off of some plumbers.sure it will see me out to retirement little goes a bloody long way dont it.

 

[Sombrero]

i will add however that the screws we get today are different, i got a much better screw in the 60's, the difference is they are now made cheaply in China (get your mind out of the gutter please) , the vertical slot was deeper compared to the horizontal slot which i think is to shallow and doesn't hold the tool properly letting it slip out, it's all down to the machining.

Also helps if you use a bench grinder to make the tip of your screw driver parallel.

This is just soft porn!!!!!

But to be realistic, who builds cabinets anymore? Ikea hide their fixings quite well. And when slotted screws were prevalent, who had an 18volt drill/driver? Times have moved on... slotted screws are a PITA !!

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

You had to have been there

 

[Sombrero]

You had to have been there

lol, i was, believe me.... but i don't use a bread knife anymore, or a starting handle on my car, or a typewriter, or mangle, or... i could go on for days....

i love how it was, but i also love how it is....a power drill and a box of pozidrives... bring it on !!