Is there a reason why all conventional domestic electrical wiring fittings use exclusively slotted screw heads, rather than the much more practical Phillips or Pozidrive heads? Don't tell me that electricians can only carry one screwdriver?
I think that cross-head screws grew in popularity in factory assembly lines, because they worked well with power screwdrivers which were used in the interests of speed and efficiency; the blades were self-aligning. Latterly, power screwdrivers became popular with mobile tradespeople, again for speed and efficiency. Hence cross-head screws have increased in use and availability. However I think most of us would prefer to use ordinary hand screwdrivers to adjust screws on wiring accessories. We have more control and less risk of over-tightening. Hence the straight-slot screw head has persisted here.
So far I have talked about new screws on new installations. Now wind forward several years. You want to remove the screw, which has become corroded and generally difficult too unscrew. This is where the Phillips often fails; if you are not careful you can round out the cross-grips and be left with an even-more difficult job to remove. I don't have the same problem with straight-blade screws. Indeed, I sometimes saw a straight slot into the screw head so that I can use a straight-bade screwdriver to remove.
I have a screwdriver whose straight blade became worn to a V shape after it had been used for purposes other than screwing screws (naughty, naughty!). I have not reground it because I found that in this condition it is very effective for removing awkward cross-head screws - far more so than a Phillips driver.
I think that cross-head screws grew in popularity in factory assembly lines, because they worked well with power screwdrivers which were used in the interests of speed and efficiency; the blades were self-aligning. Latterly, power screwdrivers became popular with mobile tradespeople, again for speed and efficiency. Hence cross-head screws have increased in use and availability. However I think most of us would prefer to use ordinary hand screwdrivers to adjust screws on wiring accessories. We have more control and less risk of over-tightening. Hence the straight-slot screw head has persisted here.
So far I have talked about new screws on new installations. Now wind forward several years. You want to remove the screw, which has become corroded and generally difficult too unscrew. This is where the Phillips often fails; if you are not careful you can round out the cross-grips and be left with an even-more difficult job to remove. I don't have the same problem with straight-blade screws. Indeed, I sometimes saw a straight slot into the screw head so that I can use a straight-bade screwdriver to remove.
I have a screwdriver whose straight blade became worn to a V shape after it had been used for purposes other than screwing screws (naughty, naughty!). I have not reground it because I found that in this condition it is very effective for removing awkward cross-head screws - far more so than a Phillips driver.
