Screws have come a long way since I started woodworking.  I've bought some deck and construction screws lately with Torx drive.  For the last couple of years I've been ordering Deerwood "Ultimate Square Drive" from wwhardware.com and I really like them.   Phillips are OK in a pinch, but I find they can cam out too easily.   Even worse for stripping are the combo heads -- square and Phillips (Quadrex, Squipps), Phillips and slotted, and sometimes all three -- ugh, they strip way too easily.   I had a camper in the '80s and they used clutch head.  I had to go out and buy one to do some work.  Blum hinges tend to use Posi-driv screws that work, kind of, with a Phillips if you don't get too aggressive with them.  Had to work on my string trimmer last week and of course there were 4 deep T15 machine screws.  Luckily, the one long-shank Torx I had was the right size. Then there are hex heads (metric and SAE).  I bought a set of security drivers from HF for a few bucks.   Not too secure if a chump like me can get a driver for all of them for $4.  No wonder I have so many screwdrivers.

 

Do we really need all those drive types?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives

Edited October 11, 20169 yr by kmealy

Square drive for me. I have more or less then same opinion of Phillips and combo. But I've thrown all the slotted screws (except the decorative ones) out, they are banned in my shop. I sometimes mention (in jest) I support a federal law that makes all screws square drive. 3 sizes of bits cover 80% of the screws (or something like that) and it would eliminate the drawer full of drivers we all have to have for every shape/type. I suspect I could be convinced that Phillips are needed for some applications that require cam out like drywall.

I like McFeely's square drive screws.

33 minutes ago, Joeb41 said:

I like McFeely's square drive screws.

I have not ordered from them (yet).   I usually put screws on my wwhardware order when I'm ordering other things. 

 

I found out recently, that McFeely's was in the same county as me and shares the building where I buy wholesale quantities of dowels when I need them.

 

Deerwood also supplies one of my local cabinet supply shops with their "jar program"   It's a jar full of screws in various sizes all for one price (less than $10, IIRC)  But it has a combo head, though it does include a driver bit.

non-asian manufacture... I'm sick of their junk... USA or Canadian manufacture

square or Torx drive depending on application in a type 17 or 23 tip...

Philips are fine w/ a correctly fitted drive bit... the wrong drive tip is the primary cause of socket failures/stripping/cam outs.....

now.. the slotted screw.. we go dig up the inventor and kill him again... or at least ant hill, tar and feather, rail, boil in oil, quarter, impale, green fire, tower of London, open a train/boat load of wupass on and give him the what for.......

 

type 17 type 23 type F

Edited October 12, 20169 yr by Stick486

I like the square drive screws. For years I have used "cabinet screw" from the local hardware store and have great luck with them (no stripping of the Phillips head), but they are getting harder to get at that store anymore. I have order an assortment from McFeely's to give them a try, and so far I do like them.

I too have used a lot of square drive, when I can get them at HD.  Lately, the Torx star drive has been really available, and I now have a handy box of drivers for all sizes.  Just lately, there is a pretty neat finish screw that has a very small head, but is good at holding, has auger tip. 

I use the square drive deck screws.  Since I don't use many anymore I usually keep the stainless in a few sizes.  Habitat Restore recently had the ceramic coat deck screws $2.00 for a quart container so I bought some of them.

Still use "phillips head" drywall screws for drywall...rarely have experienced problems with those in that specific application especially using the correct bit in dry-wall gun. For most everything else I've migrated to square drive on construction/deck/cement board screws. I recently tried a few torx drive and like them...I just have a pretty good inventory of #1,2,3 square drive bits so generally prefer those.

 

Slotted are pretty much out unless trying to match for appearance. For machine screws where possible either allen or hex head, and hex head for sheet metal as much as possible. I HATE Posi-drive anything and will change out/replace anytime I can.

 

Keith I just bought a set of H-F 1/4" drive longer reach Torx bits...did a repair on a chain saw and my standard length wouldn't reach...sometimes you can "fool" the size (T-25) using a slightly worn allen wrench. I'd forgotten about the Clutch head...I still have several screwdriver sizes of those. Used a lot in body trim parts in the 50's & 60's and even in some ignition components as well as the camper/camper shell industry of the 50's-80's.

Square drive all the way. Yes I do have some Drywall phillips and use only for drywall. I do not care for Torx as then need a whole new set of drivers.

  If the option is there (thread and shaft size) I replace slotted with square drive. Yes I know that most any size is available but I am not going out to buy 4 screws just to replace slot if I do not have  the correct replacement.

I like the phillips head screws the most. Not bad if you use the right driver. If you driver ever slips take it to your grinder and grind off the point very lightly. You will be surprised how much difference it makes. I still have my grandfathers metal box (12"x24"x3" deep) full of the old style flat head screws. Boy do I hate them. I just can't come to terms of dumping them out. 

Square drives. Used a lot of Robertson brand screws in residential/commercial shops. Nobody using Mcfeely screws  on the professional end I know of. Too many options that work well at a cheaper cost...

 

I try and buy my screws from CSH when possible. ..

Are the CSH screws strictly square drive, or are they the "combo" drive type? I really don't like the combo stuff.

I don't often use screws but when I do, I like torx screws. 

CSH is Custom Service Hardware... Easy to get an account and better prices...

I've used CSH a lot, but never for screws...that's why I asked about the style they sell.

 I agree with most of you, square drive is my go to screw, as long as it isn't JUNK. I have bought screws that were so inferior that they broke after applying moderate turning. My two pet peeves with screws.

1. A screw that breaks at the surface and has to be dug out. 

2. A seated screw with a destroyed head.