1. Every Handyman Should Know Fastener Types

Behold, my fellow Canucks, the mighty Robertson screw

In our March 2011 issue of Canadian Home Workshop, we have an article called “50 Things Every Handyman Should Know.” Item No. 1 in that list is fastener types.

A real handyman does not say, “Pass me the star screwdriver.” Or, “Not the cross but the square one.” That cross-shaped head that strips so easily is a Phillips. When you pick up the square-shaped one, your heart should fill with patriotic pride and you should thank Mr. Peter L. Robertson for his wonderful invention. The handles of Robertson screwdrivers are colour-coded:

Colour Screw Types

Orange (#00) No. 1 and 2

Yellow (#0) No. 3 and 4

Green (#1) No. 5, 6 and 7

Red (#2) No. 8, 9 and 10

Black (#3) No. 12, 13 and 14

While researching this tip, I came across a very cool write-up of different screw types. Most important, my fellow patriotic fastener users, know the difference between a Robertson and those other, poser square-drive fasteners: Robertson has a slight taper that allows a bit to hold onto the screw and prevent cam-out.