The Phillips head screwdriver is named after its inventor, Henry F. Phillips. Phillips was an American businessman and entrepreneur who had a great understanding of metal fasteners. He developed the Phillips head screwdriver in the 1930s as a revolutionary improvement to the flathead screwdriver used at the time.
It was designed with a cross head shape that allowed for greater force with each turn, making the tool much more efficient and easier to use. The Phillips head screwdriver is now the standard for bolts and screws with its universal SAE and metric sizes.
The Phillips head screwdriver is also known for its control and balance due to its unique shape. Its unique design also provides a secure fit when the screwdriver is inserted into the screw head, reducing slips and stripping of the screw head.
Where did Phillips head come from?
Phillips head screws and their specialized screwdrivers originated in the late 19th century. The creator of this type of screw was John Thompson, who worked as a designer for Henry F. Phillips Company, an America-based mechanical fastener manufacturer.
He designed an improved version of the standard slotted screw, which allowed manufacturers to create a more secure grip with a single-head design. The Phillips screw was designed to be used in mass-produced automobiles, as the tool could more easily fit into tight spaces and be driven with greater accuracy.
The drive design also allowed the screw to resist cam-out, or slipping out of its recess when the driver is over-torqued. The unique raised cruciform shape of the Phillips head allows a screwdriver to engage a screw at multiple angles, giving it increased torque and grip when compared to the traditional slotted design.
What’s the difference between a screwdriver and a Phillips?
A screwdriver is a hand tool consisting of a handle and a shaft that tapers to a flat point, usually with a tip that is shaped to fit into the head of a screw. A Phillips screwdriver has a tip that looks like an X and is designed to insert and turn screws with a cross-shaped head.
The Phillips head screw was introduced and patented in the 1930s and is used to put in screws with less slipping or cam-out. The Phillips head design is more secure than the traditional flathead and the Phillips screwdriver is designed to fit snugly into this type of screw head.
Both types of screwdrivers are used for the same purpose, but the Phillips screwdriver is generally used for screws with a cross-head.
Is a crosshead screwdriver the same as a Phillips?
No, a crosshead screwdriver is not the same as a Phillips screwdriver. The crosshead screwdriver is designed for use with a crosshead, or slotted, screw, whereas a Phillips screwdriver is designed for use with a Phillips head screw.
Crosshead screws are easily identifiable by their two slots at the head of the screw, which form an ‘X’ shape. Phillips screws feature a crosshead design with four points and a star shape at the head of the screw.
Both types of screws require a specific screwdriver for installation, as many tools designed for Phillips screws may damage a crosshead screw, and vice versa.
Can you use a flathead on a Phillips screw?
No, you cannot use a flathead on a Phillips screw. The Phillips screw is designed with a special pocket shape that allows cross-head screwdrivers to fit securely into the head of the screw. A flathead screwdriver is not shaped to fit into the pocket and its blade is wider, so it will not successfully fit into the head of the Phillips screw.
Therefore, it is important to use the correct tool when working with any type of screw. Using the wrong tool can result in damaged screw heads or stripped screws.
Who invented the Philip screwdriver?
The Philip screwdriver was created by John P. Thompson in the 1880s. Thompson had worked in a lightbulb factory, and he noticed that the screws used to assemble the bulbs varied in shape and size. As a result, he developed a new type of screwdriver that could fit multiple shapes and sizes of screws, which we now know as the Philip screwdriver.
The Philip screwdriver is considered to be among the most commonly used screwdrivers due to its versatile design, which means it works with a wide variety of screws. Although John P. Thompson is credited with inventing the Philip screwdriver, it was not until 1960 when Stanley Works bought the design and started to mass-produce them for commercial use.
When was Phillips screw invented?
The invention of the Phillips screw is widely attributed to Henry F. Phillips, an American inventor from Portland, Oregon. Phillips is said to have designed the screw for use in the automotive industry sometime around 1932.
The Phillips screw drive was designed to be more effective and efficient than the then-standard slotted screw. It was also designed to be less likely to cam out (strip) and guaranteed a better grip when used with a manual screwdriver, allowing for higher torque when tightening or loosening the fastener.
Phillips’ design was further developed and adopted by other companies, and Phillips himself established the Phillips Screw Company in Portland in 1933 to complement the Phillips Screw Company of America that the same year.
The Phillips screw drive is now one of the most widely used and accepted screw drives in the world, and is used in a variety of industrial, domestic, and electronic applications.
What is the proper name for a flathead screwdriver?
The proper name for a flathead screwdriver is a common slotted screwdriver. It is so-named because the head of the screwdriver blade is flat, with a single, straight slot cut into it. This shape allows the screwdriver to fit into the slotted head of a screw, allowing it to be tightened or loosened.
This type of screwdriver is the most commonly used tool for tightening or loosening screws and is oftentimes referred to as a “Flathead” or “Slot Head” screwdriver.
What are the star shaped screws called?
The star shaped screws are known as TORX screws, named after the company who first developed and trademarked the design – Camcar Textron. The name is a combination of “torque” and “hex”, and they feature a six-pointed star shape with a central post at their center.
Torx screws provide a higher degree of torque transfer than traditional screws and are commonly used in construction and engineering applications, as well as in many consumer products such as computers, laptops, and game consoles.
Torx screws offer several advantages over traditional crossed-head screws, including increased security, higher torque transfer, and less likelihood of stripping or cam-out. They are available in various sizes and materials, and they also come in tamper-resistant varieties which make them ideal for situations where tampering needs to be prevented.
Why do flathead screws exist?
Flathead screws exist as a convenient and reliable way to fasten and secure materials together. Unlike other types of screws, flathead screws are embedded into the surface of the materials that they are fastening.
This allows for quick and easy attachment, as the screws can be driven into the material with a screwdriver or drill. The flathead shape also allows for a flush fit that is much less noticeable than other styles of screws.
Additionally, flathead screws provide a greater holding power than other types of screws, making them especially useful for attaching heavier materials, such as wood or metal. Thanks to this greater holding power, flathead screws are also useful for providing strong assembly of more delicate materials, such as electronics.
Finally, flathead screws are relatively inexpensive and widely available, making them a cost-effective option for fastening projects.
Why are there so many screw heads?
Screw heads are an integral part of the fastening process. They can be used to join two or more pieces together, and their versatility allows them to be used in a wide range of applications. There are so many different types of screw heads because there are so many different types of fastening needs.
Different heads are designed for different jobs, allowing users to choose the best option for the job. For example, flat head screws are perfect for flush mounting something like a cabinet shelf, while Phillips head screws may be used to secure something like a door handle.
Different materials also require different types of screws and heads in order to create the strongest possible connection. Different heads also provide different levels of grip and torque, so users can choose the head type that will best fit their needs.
What are the 4 types of screwdrivers?
The four main types of screwdrivers are flat-bladed, Phillips-head, Robertson, and Torx.
Flat-bladed screwdrivers feature a simple, straight blade which is most commonly used for tightening and loosening flat-headed screws. They come in various sizes.
Phillips-head screwdrivers feature a special cross-head shape which is designed to tightly engage with the four tips of a Phillips screw head. This type is widely used and can be found in most hardware stores.
Robertson screwdrivers feature a square-shaped tip that fits in the Robertson screw head’s indented square drive. These are mainly used to increase torque when tightening screws.
Torx screwdrivers feature a star-shaped tip that precisely fits into the star-shaped indentations of a Torx screw head. Torx-head screws are often used in electronic and automotive applications, so these screwdrivers are especially useful for repairing electronic and automotive components.
How do I know which screwdriver to use?
The type of screwdriver you need to use will depend on the type of screw you are using. Generally, the word ‘Phillips’ or ‘JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard)’ should be visible on the head of the screw.
A Phillips screw has a + shaped indent visible on its head, while a JIS screw will have a slot instead. Using the wrong type of screwdriver on either type of screw can cause damage to the head of the screw, and also render it unusable from then on.
For Phillips screws, a Phillips screwdriver should be used, available in sizes ranging from 00 to 5. For JIS screws, a JIS screwdriver should be used, but these are less commonly available. If a JIS screwdriver is not available, a Phillips screwdriver will usually still work.
It is important to note that the JIS screwdriver is designed with a slightly different angle than the Phillips, so will offer a better fit, leading to less slip and damage.
It is also important to make sure you select the correct size of screwdriver; too small and it won’t turn the screw, too large and it can damage the head of the screw. It is best to match as closely as possible to the width of the indent of the head of the screw.
Some screws, such as those used in vehicles, are made to specialised standards and require a specific type and size of screwdriver which is usually marked near the handle. It is therefore important to check which type and size of screwdriver is required before attempting to use it.
In summary, you should identify the type and size of the screw, and then check which type and size of screwdriver is most suitable for it, making sure to select one which matches the head of the screw as closely as possible.
How many types of screwdrivers are there?
Depending on the particular application. Most commonly, screwdrivers come in two basic varieties: flat head and Phillips head. Flat head screwdrivers have a single, straight-edged blade that fits into the side of a slotted screw head.
Phillips head screwdrivers have a cross-shaped head with four points, designed to fit into a similarly shaped drive on the screw head.
Beyond these two common types of screwdrivers, you’ll find other variations such as Pozidriv, Star, Hex and Tri-Wing, as well as specialty screwdrivers such as tamper-proof Torx and security Torx, spanner and clutch.
Many of these are designed for use in specific applications where a typical flat or Phillips-head screwdriver won’t do the job. For example, Hex head screws are designed to withstand greater torque, making hex head screwdrivers essential when working with them.
Similarly, Torx screwdrivers are designed to be used with tamper-proof screws, and are also suitable for use in tightening electrical components. Finally,you’ll commonly find spanner, clutch and tri-wing screwdrivers on devices that require user assembly or maintenance, such as electronic gaming consoles.
What are 4 different sizes of Robertson screwdrivers?
The Robertson screwdriver, also known as a square-recess screwdriver, is one of the most popular types of screwdriver heads available in the market today. It has an easily identifiable square-shaped recess on the top of the screw head that allows for quick and easy removal and insertion of screws.
Robertson screwdrivers come in four main sizes, including #0000, #000, #00, and #0. The #0000 is the smallest size, and is typically reserved for special applications such as jewelry making, watch repair, and model building.
The #000 and #00 sizes are common for general use involving electronics, toys, and crafts. Finally, the #0 size is often used for furniture assembly and repair.
All four Robertsons screwdrivers are durably constructed to last through many years of use, and they each provide a secure and convenient grip when fitting screws. The square-shaped recess also helps to prevent slippage, making it easier to securely seat screws in hard-to-reach places.
Which is bigger #1 or #2 Phillips?
It depends on the type of Phillips screws being compared. Generally, #1 Phillips heads are usually used for smaller, lighter duty screws while #2 Phillips heads are used for larger and heavier duty screws.
Therefore, #2 Phillips is usually bigger and thicker than #1 Phillips. However, this may vary depending on the application and the exact measurements of the screws being compared. For example, a #1 Phillips could be bigger in length and width than a #2 Phillips, depending on the particular screws being compared.
Ultimately, the size of the Phillips screws will vary, depending on the application and the specific measurements of the particular screws being compared.
What size is a #3 Phillips screwdriver?
A #3 Phillips screwdriver is typically around 2.5mm in size. This type of screwdriver is used for small electronics and machine screws, along with many other applications. It is one of the most commonly used screwdrivers in the world due to its small size and precision.
It is also one of the most popular types of screwdrive used in manufacturing due to its accuracy when working with extremely small components.
What is the largest size of Phillips bit?
The largest Phillips bit size is PH4, which is about 4 millimeters in diameter. This bit is great for removing and installing screws in a wide variety of applications, including automotive work and construction.
Many different bit drivers and drill bits can be used with Phillips PH4 screws, so it can be used in a variety of different settings. The bit is also capable of delivering higher torque than other bit sizes, making it ideal for more demanding jobs.
How big is PH0?
The actual size of PH0 can be difficult to define, as variations in size often occur due to how the measurement is taken, or even the individual doing the measuring. Generally, though, PH0 is about 11mm, or roughly 0.43 inches.
It is the smallest size of Allen wrench flathead measure and is most commonly used for electronic repairs. Some of its other uses include tightening small screws, bolts, and nuts on eyeglasses, jewelry, car parts, and various kinds of appliances.
This tiny size of Allen wrench is a handy tool to have when tackling smaller scaling projects.