Why are Pozidriv screws better than Phillips?

Being a DIYer I’ve just discovered TX (Torx) screws. They’re the best thing I’ve used in years. Just put in 500 of them on a project and none of them caused me any issues and still on the original TX bit, supplied with the screws. I’ll never go back to Philips if I can avoid it. The other advantage was that you can screw, then re screw and the head is still in perfect condition.

in my day, we did not have any slots or crosses in our screws. We drove them in with our finger and thumbtips, just grip and twist, while walking FIFTEEN MILES in THE SNOW.

I enjoyed this vid and your walk-through the drive type evolution. I’m a bit of a patent nerd and hardware nerd and have read the patents for all these drive types and have to point out that the advantage of the Pozidriv (TM) isn’t four additional point of contact, but rather that fact that the four blade segments have straight faces rather than tapered faces like those seen on the Phillips. This was done to prevent cam-out. The four “tick marks” on the head of the screw are there from the production of the slot, which is done with two dies; one that forges what looks like a Phillips slot, and a second that strikes between these points to close the slots, marking their faces parallel. The additional points on the driver are there for identification only as they don’t even make contact with the screw. See the taper in the Phillips at 4:13 and notice the straight faces on the Pozi at 6:00. Oh, and the Allen “Hex” drive screw was patented in 1910. There’s a fascinating story involving Henry Ford, P.L. Robertson and Willian Allen, but that’s for another video. Hardware nerd out! Scott

I’ve never understood the difference between Philips and pozi till this vid. Thx

The torx wobble problem can be countered with wedge fit bits. They are slightly tapered and lock onto the screw solidly. They will stay dead straight and drive right in with no wobble. Available from Wera.

You can find tapered / self-centering torx bits, and since I discovered them they are my preferred choice bits as most wood screws easily available here in Sweden seem to be either t20 or t25. The amount of childlike joy I feel every time I put a torx screw on the bit in the impact driver and it stays there even if I wiggle it around is absolutely priceless.

Last year I finally bought a box of torx head screws, and my god I have never been so happy. instead of having to press against the screw with all my weight, torx head screws just pull themselvs in with little to no pressure once started

I'm a mechanical engineer so we have a large overlap in our trades with the types of fastener heads used, even if our thread standards are completely different. It's absolutely lovely to see someone with actual hands on experience explaining these technologies so clearly for Joe Public.

Something as basic as using the right screws for a specific job is so important. I tear my hair (what bit I have) when I have to remove radiators when the brackets are screwed with slotted screws and are long. Havoc for my wrists!! Good video so look forward to more

I think you will find that POZIDRIV bits are not tapered hence reducing “cam out”, how you got through the whole video without mentioning “cam out”i cannot imagine! Well done.

Thank you for explaining so well with diagrams. I've watched many videos but your's explained it the most clearly.

I started work in the late 50s, with slotted nettlefold screws, a bradal and wood handle screwdriver, then came the phillips, then pozi, and the cordless driver revolution and screws that are now engineering masterpieces

My great uncle used square (Roberston) for his wood projects. Needless to say after we showed him Torx...he converted. We still use phillips for drywall and wood screws if Torx isn't available. However it's Torx 99% of the time.

Been using Torx myself for nearly 10 years after Steve Ramsey raved about them. Surprised more of our friends across the pond haven't bought into the idea more in light of that. Not once in all those years has one stripped, even when using an impact, which I do for 99.9% of driving. Great video again Andy.

In Switzerland, in my experience, tradesmen only use Torx screws. Having been nosey and looked at what they carried, no Posidrivs were to be seen, but the full range of Torx were there.

Very good information Gosforth. Really hits all important points for sure. Spoken from the other side of the pond too.

Best explanation on screws i met so far on YT...for a couple of years! Congrats!

Robertson is by far the most favorite and popular in Canada.

I'm caming out! I want the world to know :)

Really useful info Andy. Thank you for taking the time to prepare an informative video. 👍🏻