Hardware: Robertson vs Phillips

Self-tutoring about types of screws or bolts: the tutor makes a comparison.

The following is according to my understanding.

Conventional wisdom seems to suggest, with screws and bolts, that the Robertson head is superior to Phillips. I used to think so, too, but some precision needs to be added. Specifically, for installation purposes, Robertson is easier to use. However, needing to remove a stuck screw or bolt, one might be better off if it’s Phillips.

Yesterday I was trying to remove a seized bolt. In particular, I was having to dismantle an old barbecue whose insides had collapsed from rust. It was still very heavy; I had to disassemble it to get it down the stairs. (See my post, from Sept 4, 2019, about when I assembled it.)

Anyway, after nearly seven years of cooking, the barbeque was rusted out internally. Yet, its structure was still strong. Numerous of the bolts holding it together were stuck.

Believe it or not, the two bolts that were stuck the worst I finally got loose as follows: applying WD40, then waiting a couple of minutes, then trying the bolt, then applying more WD40, and so on. I’ve heard that method recommended, but it never seemed to work for me, until this time. It took a while, but worked.

As often can happen with screws, and was happening with these bolts as well, their heads were wearing out with repeated attempts to loosen them. I started with a Robertson, but after awhile that interface was rounded off. Yet, these bolts had a combination of slot/Robertson/Phillips on their heads.

I got out a big Phillips screwdriver and tried it. Indeed, the Phillips interface was able to hold the screwdriver when the Robertson one no longer could. So, using the Phillips screwdriver, I was able to eventually get the bolt loose.

Perhaps a Phillips head lasts better when the bolt has gotten stuck and one is trying to loosen it. Interesting, eh?

Source:

stumpynubs.com: The Great Screwdriver Wars