Robertson Screws, Square Head Screws

Robertson screws, also known as square head screws or Scrulox screw drive, with Square Center and have a square-shaped socket in the screw head and a square protrusion on the tool. Both the tool and the socket have a slight taper. Originally to make the manufacture of the screws practical using cold forming of the heads, this taper provides two other advantages which have served to popularize the drive: it makes inserting the tool easier and tends to help keep the screw on the tool tip without the user needing to hold it there. Robertson screws are commonplace in Canada, though they have been used elsewhere and have become much more common in other countries. As its advantages spread, Robertson fasteners have become popular in woodworking and in general construction. Combinations of Robertson/Phillips/slot drives are often used in the electrical trade, particularly for device and circuit breaker terminals, as well as clamp connectors. Robertson screwdrivers are easy to use one-handed because the tapered socket tends to retain the screw, even if it is shaken. They also allow for the use of angled screw drivers and trim head screws. The head features a slightly tapered square socket making it self-centering, easier to drive one-handed, and slip-resistant. Because it sped up production with less chance of product damage, the manufacturing sector loved it, making Robertson’s screw an instant hit.

Robertson Head Vs Phillips Vs Torx

The Torx is actually fractionally quicker to seat on the screw. This make sense when you consider that there are six points on a Torx, versus four on a Robertson. So there are more positions where the Torx screwdriver will just slip into place. Phillips screws tend to need more downward force applied to the screw, compared to a Robertson screw. This primarily prevents the driver from slipping off the screw. This is especially the case for longer screws, like those used to attach cabinets to walls, etc

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