It seems like every day, fastener companies come out with another “specialty” head for screws and fasteners. When I was a kid, we just had slotted heads—which were a pain to keep from stripping.
When I was young, I would spend weekends on my grandpa’s farm and everything was a slotted head. I don’t remember when I first came across a Phillips head; but wow, what a difference.
Phillips head screw
According to Wikipedia, the Phillips head or crosshead screw was invented by John P. Thompson in 1932. It was patented as a recessed cruciform screw. In 1933, he patented a screwdriver for it.
Thompson sold the design to Henry Frank Phillips in 1935. At that time the name “Phillips” head was designated to the fastener. The first customer was General Motors, which used it in the 1936 Cadillac.
Knowing my grandpa, the new screw probably cost one cent more and the screwdriver was probably fifty cents, and he wouldn’t pay for that. So I did not see the new screw in any of his baby jar fastener holders or junk drawers in the 1960s.
It started out with a standard size, so you only needed two screwdrivers: the slotted and the Phillips. Now we have the #2 Phillips, which is the most popular, but also the smaller #1 and larger #3. So now we need not only two, but three, maybe four, or even more.
I have to confess, I have more than 100 screwdrivers in my various toolboxes, as I cannot bring myself to throw any of them away.
Torx
But, oh no. It doesn’t stop there! Torx came along and required a new tool—or, should I say, tools—as there are several different Torx styles and sizes as well as external and internal. Now we have Allen, Allen socket, square socket, hex, and many more.
Why so many types? Most “experts” state that no one or two types are best suited for the various applications. Some boat builders use the slotted design applied horizontally so water and moisture will drain off and not pool and rust. Others claim the Phillips style caused the head to raise out of the drive as the screw tightens.
No matter what the reason, there are dozens of types and it is hard to carry them all with you at one time.
My screw gun bits
Here is an example of my vast inventory of screw gun bits. I have a problem with buying a set every time they go on sale! The last one was the granddaddy of them all, with 81 pieces! And this doesn’t even show the sets I have at my studio, which is most likely another 5 or 6 sets and dozens more screwdrivers.
Typically, I will carry one of the DeWALT kits in my toolbox. However, I have found that I need several different bits when working on an RV or other project, especially when a DIYer has tried working on it before and lost the screws. They seem to replace them with a hodgepodge of screws.
Screw gun bit holder
Some screw guns have a slot on the bottom to carry one or two extra bits. However, I came across this handy screw gun bit holder that allows me to carry up to six different bits and just clip it to my belt loop.
This allows me to carry a couple different size Phillips, two sizes of Torx, a long Phillips, and the socket head. Mine is color coded to match the color of the heads. I got it at Menards, which is a Midwest home improvement store. You can find one on Amazon here.
I like the keychain-style clip aka carabiner. It easily clips on a belt loop or just about anything. Simply slide the barrel and remove the 1/4 hex bit.
*****
Twelve Days of Christmas RV Tools
- First day: anemometer
- Second day: infrared temperature sensor
- Third day: water heater flush wand
- Fourth day: Kill A Watt electricity usage monitor
- Fifth day: magnetizer/demagnetizer
- Sixth day: non-contact voltage tester
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DAVE HAS ANSWERED MORE THAN 1,000 readers’ maintenance and repair questions. Read a directory here. There is so much to learn!
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”
RVT1239
Thank you for the suggestion and explanation of the value of having this, Dave! I eventually understood how to use it (I think). Have a great day and safe travels!