Thread: Square Drive Screws.....again

Use the net and go here

www.sachys-robertson.com.au

The shortish (~2") Lee Valley square drivers sold by the dozen (12) are pretty good and cost about the same as some local stores are charging for one.

Originally Posted by hcbph

Dan

I've used over 1000 of the Robertson screws in the last few years in face frames, frame repairs and strengthening with great results. I've used both the Kreg's and McFeeley brands with very good results. I use verious lengths, with the #2 bit primarily. There is a big difference in the quality of the bits also. 2 very good brands of driver bits are Dewalt and Irwin brands. I like to use a 1 1/2" long bit with a 6" extension doing screw pockets, it keeps the drill chuck from contacting the surface when driving in the screws.

I don't like the ones with the #1 size bit requirement. I've had a restaurant that used them on a number of chairs with loose legs, and they are terrible getting back out. Many times they will strip out due to the size of the opening.

I don't use them for everything, but the do work well

Paul

I was fixing squeaks in a chipboard floor at the weekend using 10 ga x 65mm chipboard screws. I had broken one Phillips bit and when buying more screws in Bunnings, I got the ones with the square drive head. No name brand but a good fit with the two Irwin Drivers Bunnings supplied.

Those two drives ran in about 20 screws each before the tips twisted and started to cam out. I had a driver from a sample pack bought at a woodworking show and used it to do the next 50 or so with no sign of deformation and virtually no wear. This was one with a mild steel hex and a hard insert in the tip so guess it was a Sachys.

I will be avoiding the Irwin brand bits from now on. The 10 ga x 65 mm screws take a lot of torque, especially as the head sets to below the chipboard surface so it is a good test.

I would be interested in hearing what brand bit work for you.

Hi Dan,

Don't mess with that imitation stuff; its rubbish. Get you square drive screws and the quality bits to drive them from Sachy's Australia. They offer a fantastic postal service,they sell in amateur volume quantities if that is what you require and they are very moderately priced. I have used these screws exclusively for years now and am sure you will find the satisfaction that I have with a top line product.

Old Pete

Originally Posted by barnsey

Use the net and go here

www.sachys-robertson.com.au

Link doesn't work for me.

If we are talking about the type of screws that come with the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig, I ran out of the Kreg ones some time ago and bought some similar ones from Bunnings and had no trouble with them but I did use the Kreg driver bit.

This may be a really obvious question, but why square drive? I mean, I understand the advantage with respect to phillips (cam out, secure driving etc) but why not just use hex which has been around for ages, rather than reinvent for square drive?

Peter

Originally Posted by munruben

Link doesn't work for me.

Didn't work for me either, but this one does:
www.sachys-robertson.com.au/index.html


Cheers

Graeme

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Didn't work for me either, but this one does:
www.sachys-robertson.com.au/index.html


Cheers

Graeme

Thanks Graeme, works for me too.

Originally Posted by petersemple

This may be a really obvious question, but why square drive? I mean, I understand the advantage with respect to phillips (cam out, secure driving etc) but why not just use hex which has been around for ages, rather than reinvent for square drive?

Peter

Ninety-degree corner provides more robust purchase than 120-degree of hex, especially if the sockets accumulate dust. With these, though, the weak link can be just under the screw head, if the threads have sufficient bite. Can't win 'em all.

Cheers,
Joe

Originally Posted by petersemple

why not just use hex which has been around for ages, rather than reinvent for square drive?

Peter

Minor clarification, but square drive is not a new invention. It pre-dates hex. Probably remained a bit obscure internationally because Robertson got burned (in a business sense) in England and then refused to license manufacture of the screws. Otherwise might have been taken up by Henry Ford.

Do the KREG drivers fit these screws? I have just purchased the pocket rocket kit and have been impressed thus far.

I had read that Robertson tried to do business with either Ford or Gm. They looked at the idea and one of their mob developed that dreadful bloody Phillips creation. The firm then tooled up for Phillips and the rest is history.

I like Sachy Robertson screws and THEIR driver, Buy mine from Gregory's in Brisbane. Have screwed the head off 2 in hundreds of uses and that was through stupidity.

There was a triangular drive screw designed by some Australian bloke that was shown in testing to outperform any type of screw. Aircraft industry was interested, but don't know what happened to it.

Torx (spelling?) seem to be good but I think they will give problems if the recess is subject to dirt and dust penetration.

Here in good ol Brasil the Screw market is dominated by SLOTTED heads. I hate the things, especially when using crappy locally made screwdrivers and driving into the tough timbers here.

Originally Posted by BTman

Do the KREG drivers fit these screws? I have just purchased the pocket rocket kit and have been impressed thus far.

My Kreg driver fit the screws I bought from Bunnings.