Why do slotted screws still exist and why are they still in use?

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Serious question that came to me as I struggled to remove a bunch of brackets from my windows this afternoon to replace the blinds on them and had to contend with the slotted screwdriver slipping out of the screw head every rotation or two. With the Phillips head working so much better, why are slotted screws still is common use today? Is there a particular advantage to them that offsets their relative difficulty to keep mated with the screwdriver? In the grand scheme of life, this is the ultimate first-world problem, but the process of removing about 30 of them gave me plenty of time to ponder the question...

 

[Uncle Remus]

Serious question that came to me as I struggled to remove a bunch of brackets from my windows this afternoon to replace the blinds on them and had to contend with the slotted screwdriver slipping out of the screw head every rotation or two. With the Phillips head working so much better, why are slotted screws still is common use today? Is there a particular advantage to them that offsets their relative difficulty to keep mated with the screwdriver? In the grand scheme of life, this is the ultimate first-world problem, but the process of removing about 30 of them gave me plenty of time to ponder the question...

Yikes, who still uses a screw driver?

Get one of these:

 

[NotUrsula]

Because they don't strip nearly as easily as Philips-heads do, particularly if the p-h is on decorative brass hardware. That point made by the X in a p-h is very fragile and easy to destroy unless the screw is hardened steel. My dad was a cabinetmaker, and always preferred slotted screws over p-h's because brass versions hold up much better and are easier to remove from old wood. (It is a cinch to get a grip on a slotted screw that has gotten mucked up with dust, paint, etc; just sharpen the point of the screwdriver and insert it on an angle, to gouge the slot a bit deeper. It's hellishly hard to sharpen the point of a p-h driver to get the same effect, and it requires a hammer even if you can.)

 

[Gumbo4x4]

^^^^Yup, Phillips Heads are more prone to stripping.

 

[marius97]

I thought the main point of a flathead screw driver was to use it as a pry bar in opening paint cans and other stuck things.

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

Their both inferior once you've made the step to the star head screws, they even come with a bit when you buy a box.

 

[Patch'sD]

Their both inferior once you've made the step to the star head screws, they even come with a bit when you buy a box.

Until about 10 years from now when you can't find the bit

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Because they don't strip nearly as easily as Philips-heads do, particularly if the p-h is on decorative brass hardware. That point made by the X in a p-h is very fragile and easy to destroy unless the screw is hardened steel. My dad was a cabinetmaker, and always preferred slotted screws over p-h's because brass versions hold up much better and are easier to remove from old wood. (It is a cinch to get a grip on a slotted screw that has gotten mucked up with dust, paint, etc; just sharpen the point of the screwdriver and insert it on an angle, to gouge the slot a bit deeper. It's hellishly hard to sharpen the point of a p-h driver to get the same effect, and it requires a hammer even if you can.)

Thanks! That makes a ton of sense and I knew there must be a reason they are still in use!

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Their both inferior once you've made the step to the star head screws, they even come with a bit when you buy a box.

I used those to repair some boards in my deck and I agree, they were very easy to drive.

Until about 10 years from now when you can't find the bit

I have no doubt, as I suspect I've already lost the bit and it was just about a month ago, but since we're selling the home, it'll be the next owner's problem if they need to remove them...

 

[PanamaMike]

I usually use Robertson head screws

 

[MammerJammer]

I usually use Robertson head screws

Woot! Canada FTW!!

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

Until about 10 years from now when you can't find the bit

I can purchase star bits at lowes, Home Depot, etc like any Phillips head or flat head.