One type of screw head that I haven't seen mentioned here is the torx, or hexalobular, head. While the Philips screw was designed to "cam out" of the screw to prevent overtightening, the torx screw, like the Robertson screw, was designed to not "cam out". It came about as better torque-limiting automatic screwdrivers were developed for use in factories and is becoming more popular for use on items like automobiles, bicycle brake systems, disk drive systems, computers, and other consumer electronics.
Tom Kelman Capacity Planning Commerce Bank, Kansas City -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:ibm-m...@bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Dave Salt Sent: Monday, July 26, 2010 5:23 PM To: IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu Subject: Re: C-I-C-S vs KICKS > So what's the advantage in having both Allen and Robertson screws? > They seem to do the same thing. Allen keys are usually used at a 90 degree angle to the screw, which means they work more like a wrench than a screwdriver. Having said that, ratcheting screwdrivers can also be used in a wrench like fashion. I've used both Allen and Robertson screws straight on as well as at 90 degree angles, and in both cases I found Robertson much easier to work with. This brings up another advantage of Robertson screws, which is that they can easily be screwed in at just about any angle. In comparison, Phillips screws are difficult enough to screw in even when using them straight on, and if the job requires trying to screw them in at any sort of angle it becomes anything from highly frustrating to impossible. Robertson screws are not a new invention as they've been around for more than 100 years. Henry Ford recognized their value and wanted to make them in the U.S. but Robertson insisted he import them from Canada. So Ford more or less said "screw you" (pun intended) and continued using Phillips, even though Phillips are far inferior. Unfortunately it's been stuck that way ever since, but it's not Robertson that's getting screwed it's U.S. citizens. Dave Salt SimpList(tm) - try it; you'll get it! http://www.mackinney.com/products/program-development/simplist.html _________________________________________________________________ Learn more ways to connect with your buddies now http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9734388 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html ***************************************************************************** If you wish to communicate securely with Commerce Bank and its affiliates, you must log into your account under Online Services at http://www.commercebank.com or use the Commerce Bank Secure Email Message Center at https://securemail.commercebank.com NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any attached files are confidential. The information is exclusively for the use of the individual or entity intended as the recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, copying, printing, reviewing, retention, disclosure, distribution or forwarding of the message or any attached file is not authorized and is strictly prohibited. If you have received this electronic mail message in error, please advise the sender by reply electronic mail immediately and permanently delete the original transmission, any attachments and any copies of this message from your computer system. ***************************************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
