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I'm putting together a lot of furniture and I've noticed that 98% of it uses Allen head screws. Is there a reason for this? I would think the regular slot or Phillips head would be more popular. Plus, all the hardware packs have to include a little Allen head key just to use the screws.
All Allen heads easier on the hands/wrists? What's the deal?
For one thing it is easier for them to control how much torque you should apply without wrecking things because they control the wrench size ....it also torques up easier since pressure is on all edges
Almost impossible for the allen key/wrench to slip off the screw head and scratch your brand new piece of furniture. Besides, if it's IKEA stuff, most 20-somethings today have never used a regular screwdriver before. ;-)
It is also easier to start an allen screw as the screw grips the key. No need for a special screwdriver that has clips for holding a screw while starting.
Phillips are terrible as they "cam out".
Slotted screws are terrible because you can't keep the driver in the slot.
Remember, lots of us use power screwdrivers for these tasks. You can control speed and torque.
Personally, I would like to see Torx replace Allen screws. There is a reason that the auto industry went whole hog with Torx.
Phillips are terrible as they "cam out".
Slotted screws are terrible because you can't keep the driver in the slot.
Remember, lots of us use power screwdrivers for these tasks. You can control speed and torque.
Yeah, boy.
Phillips was designed to "cam out." It was designed for automated assembly processes so that the screwdriver automatically cammed out when the screw hit its tight point against a mechanically set amount of pressure.
Quote:
Personally, I would like to see Torx replace Allen screws. There is a reason that the auto industry went whole hog with Torx.
Hex socket is superior to Phillips or slot. Cam-out torque is much higher.
Torx is superior to hex, for the same reason.
There's simply no reason on earth why every homeowner shouldn't just go and buy a set of hex keys in Metric, one in English, and a set of Torx keys. Total investment probably < $40 and you're set for life.
There's a reason why quality machinery uses almost exclusively hex socket or Torx screws. In my line of work (designing mechanical products for mass production) we only use Phillips machine screws if hex socket or Torx are unavailable in the desired size or material, or for the occasional oddball dimensional fit issue.
Nowadays with torque controlled screwdrivers, the "we'll control installation torque by camming-out the Phillips head, thus ruining it" concept is wickedly obsolete.
I'm putting together a lot of furniture and I've noticed that 98% of it uses Allen head screws. Is there a reason for this? I would think the regular slot or Phillips head would be more popular. Plus, all the hardware packs have to include a little Allen head key just to use the screws.
All Allen heads easier on the hands/wrists? What's the deal?
If your hands/wrists are starting to suffer, get thee to the hardware store (or online) and buy a cordless drill-driver with adjustable torque-limiting clutch - in other words, what people who do large volumes of asssembly and disassembly for a living use. And a selection of 1/4" hex bits. I think my DeWalt cost about $125 on sale.
Not as good as Torx; fewer contact points and the contact is line to surface whereas Torx is surface to surface. Thus, higher contact stress and more probability of deformation for the same torque and drive size.
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