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October 1946 Radio News
 [Table of Contents]
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early
electronics. See articles from
Radio & Television News, published 1919-1959. All copyrights hereby
acknowledged.
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I have always wondered why
hex
(Allen)
or clutch type heads for everyday wood, metal, and plastic screws and machine screws
(aka small bolts) was not the norm rather than
Phillips
heads. Phillips heads are fine when the screws are not hard to get out, but when
they are really difficult to break loose, a lot of force toward the screw is often
required whilst turning. Unless you have a prefect fit between the driver and the
screw head, the driver tends to ride up out of the cross slot. A
straight slot
screwdriver does not usually have that issue, but it has the disadvantage of slipping
out of the screw slot and damaging the item it is holding (or your hand). Hex head
(Allen), Torx
head, clutch head, and other types with vertical walls also do not require a lot
of inward force when really cranking on them. Maybe it's just me. This 1946
Radio News magazine promotion by the United Screw and Bolt Company extolls
the virtues of their clutch head design. The point about restoring the damaged end
of clutch head driver back to its original condition by putting it to a grinder
is true of the hex and Torx driver ends, but is not useful for Phillips tips.
United Screw and Bolt Corporation Clutch Head Screws Ad
 Here It Is, showing what goes on
inside the Clutch recess, and why ... why users testify so freely that Clutch Head
has features not matched by any other screw on the market for safety, speed, and
savings.
Visibility a Speed Factor. The wide, roomy Clutch invites operator
confidence. Saves "breaking-in " period. Presents an easy-to-hit target for stepped
up production.
No Driver Canting to chew up heads and create a skid hazard.
The Center Pivot Column on the Type "A" Bit guides the driver into the mating recess
formation. Deep dead-center entry and straight-driving become automatic.
Safe, Effortless Drive-Home. Note straight sides of the driver
matching straight walls of the Clutch recess. Contact is all-square on a broad pressure
area for positive torque grip and non-tapered driving.
No Ride-Out to Combat. This feature disposes of "kick-out" as
set up by tapered driving ... the commonest cause of driver slippage. The screw
rides home easily without the application of fatiguing end pressure.
Lock-On Breaks "Bottlenecks". A reverse turn of the bit in the
recess unites screw and driver as a unit for easy one-handed reaching to hard-to-get-at
spots. Normal driving of the screw releases the Lock-On.
"Outlasts Other Bits 5 to 1"
The rugged structure of this Type "A" Bit logically explains this testimony.
Also, a 60-second application of the end surface to a grinding wheel repeatedly
restores it to original efficiency.
No expense. No delay.
Simplifies Field Service
This is the only modern Screw basically designed to operate with an ordinary
screwdriver. With a Type "A" hand driver, the Lock-On feature permits the withdrawing
of screws undamaged and held safely for re-use.
United Screw and Bolt Corporation
Cleveland 2
Chicago 8
New York 7
Posted May 6, 2022
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