Hope this is not a duplicate.
Don

-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	Re: [OldTools] One good toolbox deserves another
Date: 	Fri, 15 Feb 2019 12:53:04 -0700
From: 	Don Schwartz 
To: 	oldtools@s..., Kirk Eppler 



On 2019-02-15 12:00 p.m., Brent Parkin wrote:
> Hey Kirk,
>
>
> The only reason those screws are funny looking to you is because you 
> are in the U.S.!!  The Robertson screw is a Canadian invention and it 
> is the screw of choice in everything up here in the Great White 
> North.  Has been since before I was born.  I actually give second 
> looks to things that have old slotted screws….. and I get downright 
> annoyed when I see a Phillips LOL.  But I do hear ya.  When I chose to 
> use them, I figured Chris Schwarz’s disobey me note in his book 
> covered me for using them.  ☺
>
>
> Brent


I'll second that! I hate having to remove old slotted screws, because 
the drivers never fit the slots very well, and tend to cam out - unless 
you grind the driver to suit. Over time I've had to accumulate a bunch 
of drivers whose only virtue is the thickness of the driver tip. Hate 
the Philips too - designed to cam out, and do it with the least excuse.

With Robertsons, there are only four tip sizes, the handles are 
colour-coded to size, the tips always fit, and the only duplication I 
need is in length of the driver. Driving them overhead or in awkward 
spots is a breeze, because a Robertson screw will sit tight on the tip 
of the driver until you're done and pull the driver away. AND with 4-way 
symmetry, they're easier to clock than a slot.

Rant off.

Don

-- 
A thermometer is not liberal or conservative. - Katharine Hayhoe

A good row does wonders for raising interest, and to be 'good' a row must have
something to be said on both sides,
  and a proper issue in the middle." - Rosemary Hill, 'Writing About the
Crafts', in The Culture of Craft, Peter Dormer, ed.

Being offended doesn't make you right.

because a Robertson screw will sit tight on the tip of the driver
> Rant off.
>
> You'd need to be Canadian to consider that a rant. Sounds like 
> bragging to me Don. hahaahahha 

Dealing with slotted head screws well is the territory of the expert 
mechanic and gunsmith. I am not ashamed of my skill. I paid a very dear 
price for it.
>    I have nothing against Robertson, except I can't get any part of 
> them cheap/easily!
     I have 3484095098096806978908 flathead drivers, which basically 
cost me nothing.
and Philips comes a dozen in a bag for a nickel ninety eight.
  I have at least 3-4 pounds of insert bits (and this is dozens and 
dozens in number)
except #2 Robertson is about all I ever get.

Every time I try to get Robertson bits, its like 8 or 10 dollars asking!
The screws cost 4 times as much and the drivers cost 10 times as much.

      Canadians are stingy with their treats!

          Now that's a rant   haahahahaha
    yours scott

Who will grind a flat head bit to exactly fit a slot as quick as breathin.
     And there is something about an honest slotted brass screw that 
just can't be faked.


-- 
*******************************
    Scott Grandstaff
    Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
    scottg@s...
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html