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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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It depends on what you are using them for. I find them a lot better for drilling deep into wood, like 3" screws on a deck or framing work. The Phillips can easily strip out, the star or square screws hold on a lot better when deep hitting hard wood or a knot. For drywall I still use Phillips, they are easier to use on a fast paced project like that.
...the market has moved on to star-shaped screws?
And are they better than Philips screws?
The "market" moved away from Phillips about twenty years ago.
The first step was "Robertson" square drive (still my preferred).
Now we're on to the HEX concept ... sizes T40 T25 T20etc
The star shape or TORX head screws began receiving approval for framing applications in 2016. At first, only high end builders used them so they were available in contractor supply stores. As more builders began accepting their use, the big box stores began offering them.
They are strong, the heads don't cam out and strip, and offer options for interior and exterior use. They are expensive and take longer to install but are easier to remove and won't damage the lumber when repositioning is needed. I have a contractor friend who has used nothing but screws for many years - no need to haul a compressor around, just enough batteries to last the day.
Torx- technically “hexalobular internal” became a mainstay in manufacturing because of its resistance to “camming out”- stripping. Due to its “12sided” grip, it has become a standard screw head for many different industries.
The latest “incarnation” that has become standard for precision manufacturing is called “XZN”. 12 30degree points of contact- precision torquing in degrees of turns. More points means more contact area; more contact area means greater torque.
The “timing” of your question is rather late to the party! Torx was patented in 1971. And as I stated above, the manufacturing world is starting to move beyond that.
I'll get the Robertson drive any time I can over anything else. The drivers that come with a lot of Torx seem to 'wear' easily, and that just defeats the purpsose. I don't know that I've EVER spun a 'good quality screw with the Robertson drive.
I'll get the Robertson drive any time I can over anything else. The drivers that come with a lot of Torx seem to 'wear' easily, and that just defeats the purpsose. I don't know that I've EVER spun a 'good quality screw with the Robertson drive.
I would say that the TORX bit that comes in a pack of screws isn't the highest quality - it's a disposable tool. Like a drywaller who buys #2 Phillips in bulk, a builder would buy those bits in bulk as well.
Torx are great. My issue is finding a driver sleeve that will lock the bit in place. It can stick to the screw and pull out of the driver. Some hand screwdrivers lock the bit but I haven't seen many power drivers that do.
Torx are great. My issue is finding a driver sleeve that will lock the bit in place. It can stick to the screw and pull out of the driver. Some hand screwdrivers lock the bit but I haven't seen many power drivers that do.
Just wrap the socket and the bit in electrical tape to hold them together.
I can deal with anything but flathead, a dreadful choice.
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