Something that's been picking at my brains...

[rawfuls]

Well, just been thinking about this for a long time, never found out why, or if there is even an answers.

Why are flat headed (not the phillips..) screws so unpopular now?

Or maybe, were always unpopular?

I mean, they are so much easier to pull out, are almost impossible to strip, and just look so much cooler!

Maybe my family is a bit weird (regardless), but I remember quite a few years back, my dad used to use nothing but flatheads, but has since found and used more phillips screws?

Plus flat headed screwdrivers are multi-functional! They function both as a screwdriver.... (surprise, surprise), but make a pretty good leverage tool! (Tell that to my collection of bike flat tires..)

Anyways, is there a REAL reason they've become so much less... un-used?
Or is it just another "Honda vs. Toyota" or... "Intel vs. AMD" or... well, you get the point.

[lincpimp]

If you have ever used a cordless drill with a flat head tip to try to drive a screw in or out and could not get the bit perfectly perpendicular to the screw head you will see why flat head screws are not as popular...

You can drive a philips screw with the bit at an angle to the screw head.

Also, using a power driver the slot of the screw tends to "throw" the bit out at high speeds. Pain in the rear, I would be glad to never see a flat head screw again. Plus the tapered slot always wants to force the bit out under load and that breaks the bits and messes up the screws.

[simplechamp]

I've always used square-head bits when doing carpentry projects. I like them better than - or +

[_paralyzed_]

4 points of contact vs 2= superior product

I'd like to see torx hardware on r/c's

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

4 points of contact vs 2= superior product

I'd like to see torx hardware on r/c's

Kraken RC makes a titanium torx set for Baja's,figured you'd like to know cause of your conversion.

[_paralyzed_]

Originally Posted by bigsteel

Kraken RC makes a titanium torx set for Baja's,figured you'd like to know cause of your conversion.

Nice heads up, thank you!

Originally Posted by simplechamp

I've always used square-head bits when doing carpentry projects. I like them better than - or +

This. Don't know why they aren't used more. I guess phillips and flat heads are popular because 1 screwdriver can fit many sizes of screws but they are pretty week in comparison to what else is out there.

[brainanator]

When I first got my slash I was so ticked off that it had all hex screws....and now I find it a huge pain my savage has phillips, LOL. Flat heads are terrible...I just imagine screw drivers being thrown off of screw heads. Pretty much everything is better than flat head and phillips if you have the right size bit, if you don't then you're screwed....(get it?! hahahahaha, I crack myself up)

[PBO]

Has nothing to do with RC but timber boats often use flat heads & align the head direction for an aesthetic that others screws just don't provide

[DrKnow65]

Originally Posted by PBO

Has nothing to do with RC but timber boats often use flat heads & align the head direction for an aesthetic that others screws just don't provide

The second screw down on the left side is not aligned... Shoddy work. Must be European made?


Kidding of course :-)

[bruce750i]

You've never owned an old school E-maxx. Nightmare hardware.

Flat heads are still around because they surly do something the others can't, but what? The tool is used more than the fastner. Opening paint cans, scratching lotto, picking doors, car key.... It's more of a mini pry-bar with a twist. Have you ever rounded out a hex head? I turn mine into a huge flat head with the cut-off wheel.

Leverage is the flat head's advantage IMO.

[josh9mille]

flatheads dont get packed with dirt like all other screws. I hate digging dirt out of all my screws, thats what i use my smallest hex driver for. On the other hand i dont miss stabbing my hand with a flathead screwdriver when it slips.

Flat heads would actually be pretty decent if the slot was captured on both ends. Would never have to worry about stripping, thats for sure.

[JERRY2KONE]

Flathead screw in general just do not have a very good mechanical look to them. Old fassioned technology that just does not work very well. Fumbling with a flathead screw driver is just too tedeous and frustrating. What Harold pointed out is the reason why things changed many years ago. No matter what direction you turn the screwdriver phillipsheads offer four points of contact giving you better pressure on driving the screw in or out. Where a flathead screw only give you pressure on two contact points as you try to drive it. Moving to allen heads was only natural because the tool kind of locks in place with a near perfect fit between the tool and the screw giving you six points of contact increasing pressure for driving the screw. Tourx screwheads offer an even more precise fitment reducing the ability to slip and strip, but not many people like using them. Allen head screws have a more mechanical look to them and offer a nice clean appearance that appeals to most. 90% of the slip and strips are caused by people using the worng tool or even a damaged tool with rounded edges. Right tool for the right job is always key to having a good experience with any fasteners.

I to love using square head screws on wood projects. They are very solid and rarely slip or strip, and the tool seems to lock in like a key in a lock. Very good choice for building wood projects.

[rawfuls]

Gotcha, makes sense.

What are these "square head screws"?