On 19-02-19 12:04 AM, gary may via OldTools wrote:
> Hi Claudio---
>    
> I can't imagine the heartbreak of developing and owning rights to a wonderful
tool that no one is interested in marketing for you---there's a reason we say
"Satanley Tools". So many dreams crushed by one of the first mega-corporations.
IT IS amazing that people still innovate....
>    But I beg to differ with your Robertson screw example: in use they are not
'undeniably superior'm not in in my experience. Handy, yes, when you're doing it
as fast as you can, with power and for screw-holding and stabbing in they're
among the best. But they are as prone to destroying themselves and their driver
points as the rest of the fasteners in power-driving use, and in careful hand
tool use---for the ages---a slotted screw is a perfectly fine fastener.
>     The Frearson cross-point of Reed & Prince fame---often confused with the
Phillips point but infinitely superior to it----actually did lose out to an
inferior system. Meaning Phillips.  One might think everyone would get it--- a
screw system wherein every driver fit every fastener is the right way to go,
even tho it costs a bit more... but no. Robertson screws have been available in
the US for as long as I can recall, since the 70s anyway, and they're certainly
everywhere now.
>
I agree that the off-shore copies of Robertson screws are too soft and 
and strip out easily even without trying but those made by Robertson are 
much better and harder and the same goes for the screw driver tips, they 
too come in good , med., and bad quality. The good ones are also often 
magnetic.  I have used the same screw drivers for over 50 years and they 
are still going strong. For power driving I use the magnetic ones 
because they have that extra bit of hugging power. As long as you hold 
the driver straight on the screw with a bit of pressure and both are of 
good quality you won't get a slip. All production screws like Kreg Jig 
are all hardened screws.
Nick