ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Basic Tool Kit?

Trumpy,
A torch? Would I call it a flashlight?
My first job working for a "real" electrician involved lots of work with wire early on.
I spent about a month straightening out the shop and coils of #12 TW wire. It used to come in a cardboard box, and if a guy grabbed the wrong end and started pulling, it would birdsnest and tangle terribly. I'd fix it, they'd send it back out, and they'd wreck it again.
By the end of that period, I knew all my colors...this is black, this is red...and not much more.

It's interesting to see that Trumpy mentions that the Robertson screwdriver is only available from the suppliers where he is.

Here in Canada they are sold everywhere including the hardware shelf at the grocery store.

I guess that because they were invented in Canada they are more common in use. I can almost tell if things were made in Canada or the US by the screws that were used. Robertson on Canadian goods and Phillips for US made products.

Hey Hydro....I was born and raised in Winnipeg!! I too can attest that the Robertson is a far superior screw to the philips and flat head screws used in the United States. Heck, you could drop your screwdriver with a robertson screw on it and the darn thing wouldn't even fall off. I miss those things. Instead I will struggle with the antiquated screw types here in the US.

Guys,
I must say, since using the Square Drive (Robertson) screws, I've grown to dislike Philips and Slotted screws, they just don't have the same grip as a Square Drive screw and like Eletrikguy said, you can drop your screwdriver and still have the screw sitting on the end of the driver when you pick it up, try that with other types of screws.

The first shop I worked for used square drive. In addition to what the others have said, one other nice thing is that the other trades don't carry a square drive, so they can't mess with your stuff, like removing a box that is screwed to the wall.

Yes. British English strikes again!

Robertson screws have yet to put in an appearance in this part of the world. Most screws used in building work these days are Pozi-Driv. It looks similar to Philips at first glance, but with a slightly different shape in the center and extra, small flutes midway between each of main slots.

Philips screwdrivers don't fit properly, so a set of Pozi-Drive screwdrivers is essential nowadays.

Pauluk: It seems I am the only electrician in Calgary that owns a Pozi-Drive screw driver. Knowing the difference between Pozi-Drive and Philips makes a big difference.