Okay, so maybe this isn't the biggest gripe that I have right now, but it has been frustrating for years. Just because they can outsource the production of fasteners, it doesn't mean that everything is the same.
When assembling products or selling kits, don't just say 'tools needed: Philips screwdriver' and throw in a shitload of Pozidriv screws!
There are a variety of screws that their lazy ass throw in because it was cheap/expedient:
Cross (my absolute favorite)
Phillips (kinda)
Pozidriv (maybe)
Reed and Prince (find a driver for that )
If bulk R&P screws are cheaper for the manufacturer, perhaps they can save enough to throw in a bit.
At least list the correct type of tool needed for assembly.
Am I the only one that notices this?
December 10, 2019, 06:22 PM
MRMATT
I've got a Reed and Prince driver somewhere in my toolcbest screwdriver drawer, but after 30-40 years, I've never needed it.
Same with my pozidrives.
_____________________________ "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." George Washington.
December 10, 2019, 06:42 PM
egregore
The only Pozi-Driv screws I have ever seen are on GM cars and trucks, holding interior trim, up to about the 1990s.
December 10, 2019, 06:50 PM
PHPaul
And then there's JIS: Japanese Industrial Standard. LOOKS like a Phillips. S'not. It WILL strip out if you try to remove it with a Phillips.
They're all over UJMs (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) from the 60s/70s/80s. Therefore, I bought a good set of JIS screwdrivers.
Amazingly, they work on pretty much ANY Phillips-looking screw.
Personally I'm a big fan of hex head (Allen) and Torx fasteners.
Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
December 10, 2019, 06:55 PM
egregore
Allens are always getting the bit stuck and stripping out. Torx is better, except when used on very large or very tight bolts that rust up and fill the cavity with dirt. But just plain Torx isn't good enough, they have to make Torx Plus (the corners are rounder and blunter) and a couple of others whose names I don't recall at the moment. I can tell you that the camshaft sprocket bolts on some Ford V6 engines are a T55 Torx Plus, and they are tight . A half-inch-drive socket this size is over $50 from Strap-on Snap-on.This message has been edited. Last edited by: egregore,
December 10, 2019, 10:21 PM
tatortodd
I bought a Chapman motorcycle set to keep on my Honda and added the two optional JIS bits just in case. So far, I haven't had to use the JIS bits but still think it was $6 well spent.
Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity
DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
December 10, 2019, 10:22 PM
Scooter123
quote:
Originally posted by egregore: Allens are always getting the bit stuck and stripping out. Torx is better, except when used on very large or very tight bolts that rust up and fill the cavity with dirt. But just plain Torx isn't good enough, they have to make Torx Plus (the corners are rounder and blunter) and a couple of others whose names I don't recall at the moment. I can tell you that the camshaft sprocket bolts on some Ford V6 engines are a T55 Torx Plus, and they are tight . A half-inch-drive socket this size is over $50 from Strap-on Snap-on.
Does Strap on still send out a Billie Jean King Calender with their catalog? Never did understand that deal, why anyone would like to see Billie Jean King in a thong bikini is something I'll never understand.
I've stopped counting.
December 11, 2019, 07:27 AM
.38supersig
Torx and Torx Plus sets are good to have, until you have to work on a '60s muscle car. That bolt needs a hexlobular bit.
It looks like a Torx, you just haven't rounded it off yet.
December 11, 2019, 07:38 AM
henryaz
quote:
Originally posted by .38supersig:
Reed and Prince (find a driver for that )
The neat thing about R&P is that one driver (or bit) fits all sizes of screws. You can get bits at McMaster-Carr.
When in doubt, mumble
December 11, 2019, 08:30 AM
.38supersig
quote:
Originally posted by henryaz:
quote:
Originally posted by .38supersig:
Reed and Prince (find a driver for that )
The neat thing about R&P is that one driver (or bit) fits all sizes of screws. You can get bits at McMaster-Carr.
Had to chase mine down in the early '90s. There was one on the Snap-on truck.
December 11, 2019, 08:38 AM
braillediver
We're working on a device with Tri-Tip screw heads- Think 3 bladed philips head screw.
The butcher with the sharpest knife has the warmest heart.
December 11, 2019, 09:10 AM
rsbolo
I like finding a hodgepodge of fasteners...I recently was helping a friend move his library bookcases. Beautiful solid cherry 8' tall bookcases of varying widths.
I found no fewer than four different types of fastener.
____________________________ Yes, Para does appreciate humor.
December 11, 2019, 01:02 PM
Haveme1or2
I'm 58 yrs old and I've never heard of half these names. I guess I just thought they were all Phillips with less than good qc in the manufacturing.
December 11, 2019, 04:12 PM
egregore
quote:
I'm 58 yrs old and I've never heard of half these names.
Volkswagen/Audi is fond of triple-square drives. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...s#Triple-square_(XZN) I work on just enough of them to need them. One, a VW Touareg, had 16mm triple-square and tamper-proof (a peg in the center that fits into a hole in the center of the bit) brake caliper bolts. I haven't done another one since. The tool cost me more than I made on the job.This message has been edited. Last edited by: egregore,
December 11, 2019, 05:25 PM
trapper189
True story: I have have a Reed Prince driver sitting on the counter in my kitchen. I have no clue why, I've never used it. I've had it for close to 25 years. Every once in awhile, my wife will ask me what it is and I'll tell her. Then she asks me why it's on the counter. I don't know.
December 11, 2019, 06:11 PM
Tinyman
quote:
Originally posted by braillediver: We're working on a device with Tri-Tip screw heads- Think 3 bladed philips head screw.
Started reading this thread and thought, "wonder if there are any tri-tip folks out there", and damn -- there is! Got about 1/4 pound of the tips in my toolbox that I'll never use -- just cool, I guess.
Tinyman
______________________________
Stupid people are like glo-sticks. I want to shake the shit out of them till the light comes on
December 11, 2019, 08:19 PM
sigcrazy7
quote:
Originally posted by egregore:
quote:
I'm 58 yrs old and I've never heard of half these names.
Volkswagen/Audi is fond of triple-square drives. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...s#Triple-square_(XZN) I work on just enough of them to need them. One, a VW Touareg, had 16mm triple-square and tamper-proof (a peg in the center that fits into a hole in the center of the bit) brake caliper bolts. I haven't done another one since. The tool cost me more than I made on the job.
Woah! That’s insane. For many of those I’d have to use my universal wrench, powered by acetylene.
Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well. -Epictetus
December 11, 2019, 08:33 PM
.38supersig
Yup! The triple square fasteners kinda look like the double hex fasteners, but...
December 11, 2019, 08:34 PM
a1abdj
So long as you're not a professional mechanic this is a good $10 investment. I rarely have to dig into them, but I do carry this kit on the truck for when I run into weird fasteners.
Originally posted by braillediver: We're working on a device with Tri-Tip screw heads- Think 3 bladed philips head screw.
Started reading this thread and thought, "wonder if there are any tri-tip folks out there", and damn -- there is! Got about 1/4 pound of the tips in my toolbox that I'll never use -- just cool, I guess.
Tinyman
I have a couple. This Tamper proof set has just about everything odd, I come into contact with.
