Shopsmith Forums

The like and use the square x screws from Rockler. Square drive that can also be used with a Philips.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page ... square%20x

A few weeks ago I had purchased some run of the mill bit drivers that were not getting the job done. During a fun shopping trip at Tool King here in town their salesman suggested and I purchased a set of Milwaukee Shockwave driver bits. These are super Hard Steel that outperforms every bit I have ever tried. They also appear to be sized better than most others. Fjimp

Almost all strip out of phillips heads was solved for me several months ago when Home Depot had the Ryobi One + Drill & Impact Driver set on sale. The Impact Driver will drive 21/2" and 3" screws easily with no reaming of screw head. Was even able to remove some 4" screws that were partially stripped when put in. Of course square heads drive good also.

Since this post has gone on for a while without any one mentioning SPAX screws I thought I would.

They are the best I've used and if you try them I think you will be with me on this point. Expensive, yes, but some times you are worth it.

Some of the local big box stores sell them, order via amazon.com or other online places.

Since a lot of you like this company have a look here:
http://www.mcfeelys.com/spax-screws?mkw ... Kgod-zwQ_Q

BTW since I was just helping my son do a deck I can tell you that the deck screws you get at lowes worked very well. When we finished the tub (25#) we were short some so stopped to get some at the menards store, premium "quality" we had to pre-drill to use them.... I'll go with the ones from lowes for my next purchases, performance wise they just work better.

Ed

dusty wrote:But just like many other tools, 'Using the correct tool for the job at hand almost always yields better results'. This is especially true of flat bladed screw drivers. If the blade does not fill the slot, it is hard to keep it in the slot.

If using a Phillips screw driver, the same applies. Correct size is all important.

Maybe the forum needs a new category. "Proper Care and Use of Tools"

Absolutely true!! I have flattened and shaped many a flat blade screwdriver. However many slotted screws have varying width slots. It is allways a chore to quickly find a driver to fit the screws.

It is harder for me to re-grind a Phillips driver. After removing the edge nicks the real challenge is to get the proper depth of the bit. Guess that's why they make those 1/4" shanked throw away bits. I'm convinced they are the best buy - especially after throwing away several Phillips screwdrivers, .

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I've used the square head screws for a number of years and like them a lot but in the past few years I've been using the Torx based screws that Rockler sells in small boxes ranging from 5/8" on the small side to over 3". They're great screws and I've never stripped one yet. Those SPAX screws look interesting though!

Gunsmiths use mostly slotted screws albeit in metal. Brownells.com sells a Magna-Tip Set with graduated thicknesses and widths for that trade.

If you have need check them out and you will have a screwdriver that fits the slotted screw every time.

Glad to hear that someone has tried the Milwaukee Shock Wave drivers. I was interested and think I will try them. Someday (soon, I hope) I will have an impact driver.

Forrest

forrestb wrote:Gunsmiths use mostly slotted screws albeit in metal. Brownells.com sells a Magna-Tip Set with graduated thicknesses and widths for that trade.

If you have need check them out and you will have a screwdriver that fits the slotted screw every time.

Glad to hear that someone has tried the Milwaukee Shock Wave drivers. I was interested and think I will try them. Someday (soon, I hope) I will have an impact driver.

Forrest

Many years ago I purchased a set of the gunsmith flat blade screwdrivers. They are great for many flat blade screws especially in sizes used in weapon applications. Unfortunately I have found several applications where they didn't quite match. The addition of an impact driver was accidental a couple of Christmas's ago. That is one sweet tool. A year ago we were hanging wood storage racks in my garage. Those forty year old 2 X 4's really didn't seem to like the those three inch screws. The last 1/2" just wasn't going to happen, The entrance of the impact driver set every screw in short order. I frequently find use for it. The best part is watching some smarty britches say it can't be done and making it happen. No fuss no muss. Fjimp

Jim you must either use some unusual slotted screws or your set is limited. Mine, from many years ago, has 44 flatblade drivers in 9 different widths. Brownell's did sell a limited set that had only 22 tips.

Most of my use is limited mainly to #6 to #10 slotted brass screws where I find the look to be important. I have yet to have to modify a screwdriver bit to fit.
Forrest