Your list is much longer than my list of what I like about normal slotted screws. Phillips are a cut above them, if the cuts into the head are made well with good, sharp edges. This also requires a good quality screw driver to mate with the the screw head.

I opt for square drive screws whenever I can. The "combo square - Phillips" types are next in line.

 

Everything until my helper strips them out.

 

Use an impact driver, and you won't hate them nearly as much.

 

Torx
and if want some good reading on screw heads!!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives

 

Do you hold the screw with needle nose pliers when you start them with an impact driver?
I'm spoiled. I expect to be able to stick a screw on the driver bit and have it stay there.
I buy the combination square/ Phillips when I can find them or the star drives which I quite like but when it comes to small sizes here in Green Valley Az. It's Phillips or nothing.

Today I was installing full extension drawer slides with 1/2" pan heads. I got to spend all afternoon installing four drawers. With Robertsons it would take a half hour …. maybe.

Rant, rant, ....

The list could actually have been longer but the other points would have been nothing, like the first four.

 

I love that more fastener companies are producing the torx head. that is what i love about phillips head

 

I really love small stainless Philips screws

 

Hate phillips, love only slotted screws in furniture making.

 

Most of the screws I use are Phillips, not because their better, just old habits I guess. I use the mag tips and the screws don't fall off but putting in drawer guides the screw will sometimes magnate to the side of the screw hole on the metal guide. I'm hoping all afternoon to put in 4 drawers is an exaggeration. (with any screw.) Slotted head with a screw driver wouldn't take that long.

 

Another one for Torx!

 

I agree, your list is too long, Paul Add the words "solid brass" to the mix, and your list gets much shorter.

 

I switched to Torx and they're the best IMO. I almost never strip them out.

 

They're not the perfect answer, but I use a bunch of them with little problem. Magnetized drivers help, and I can get them in every size I need and they're cheap. You are old enough to remember straight slotted screws for most applications. Now those were a pain, but I still am trying to use up here and there ones I "inherited" from my Dad, that were left over from his woodworking business from the 50's to the 70's They work too. waste not, want not….........

 

I get'em from McFeeleys & don't even think of a local store for them…

 

I find it rather interesting a ship wright would like anything but slotted screws! Restoring an old wood boat and trying to remove a lot of non slotted screws is difficult at best. However there is no denying installing slotted screws takes a lot more time if using power drivers. For those folks that don't know the obvious, brass, bronze and stainless screws used in boat building cannot be held by magnetic tip drivers. Many ship wright's use the brace and bit for driving and removing slotted screws for speed and torque. (Many prefer slotted screws because the slots can easily be cleaned of built-up paint, varnish and even epoxy.)

Now we all know that most woodworking is a lot different than boat building. When I build anything but a boat or outdoor wood project, I use Torx, Robertson or Phillips head screws. Slotted screws in my opinion are only good in projects that you expect to disassemble at some point.

 

We use both Phillips and sq drive at work by the 1000's and I do prefer sq drive but cheap screws or drivers of either kind is a deal breaker. Also have you ever tried to drive a #1 size sq drive screw with an impact gun, I won't even use them anymore. I guess my vote would be for torx screws but they just don't seem to be as available as the others. I don't think I have ever even seen a brass torx screw. With all that said, I feel your pain

 

The answer lies up North - Robertson

 

Mcmaster.com has every fastener know to man and delivers EVERYTHING overnight.

M

 

You have a typo in #2

 

Interesting discussion, I didn't expect this much.

eflanders it is not at all "interesting" that a shipwright in Canada would use Robertson Screws, my all time favourite.
I have re-fastened older boats with both slot and Phillips screws and neither was easy to remove. Slots are of course better than Phillips but no match for Robertson IMHO. My preference in planking fastenings is silicon bronze Robertson.

ThomasChippendale, I agree, we are lucky in Canada. Unfortunately the original patent holder (Robertson) was apparently not an easy man to deal with, hence the scarcity outside Canada.

I will try magnetized drivers but they will still tend to kick out sideways if pressure is not straight down the axis of the screw.
I have tried torx (Stardrive) and like them but they are not readily available in small sizes and still kick out more than Robertson.
Thanks for all the comments. I am listening but I will be a hard sell to get me to like Phillips. Sorry!

 

The thing with Phillips heads that drives me insane is trying to line up the slots with the grain!!

 

Phillips screws should be banned

 

Just curious…what is so awesome about square-head "Robertson" screws?

And no, that isn't a challenge, but a real question. I simply don't know and would like some education.

 

Just curious…what is so awesome about square-head "Robertson" screws?

As soon as you use them, you'll know. Cam-out and stripped heads are instantly a thing of the past.

 

You can still cam out and strip heads but you really have to try a lot harder.
For me it is mostly that you can stick the screw on the driver or driver bit and it will stay there while you reach into somewhere and install the screw with one hand. They seldom kick out on you even if the pressure isn't straight down the screw.
I admit that I haven't tried the magnetic drive bits for Phillips but not falling off is only half the battle. They will still kick out very easily in one handed use, especially without a pilot hole.