Pro tip: I was totally wrong about square drill bits until last Tuesday

I always thought those square drive screws were just a gimmick. Had a deck project last week where I was using Phillips head screws and stripped out 4 of them in a row. My neighbor came over and handed me his impact driver with a square bit and a box of GRK screws. First one went in smooth and grabbed tight without any cam-out. I did the whole remaining 80 square feet of decking in about 2 hours and didnt strip a single one. Now I have to go replace all the screws I already put in since they look garbage next to the new ones. Anyone else had a tool or fastener change their mind about something they were sure about?

2 comments

2 Comments

skylergrant19d ago

Pro tip: I was totally wrong about square drill bits" - same here, honestly. I used to think hex or torx was where it's at, but then I did a pergola build and borrowed a buddy's impact driver with a square bit. That first screw went in so clean it was almost boring (in a good way). Now I feel dumb for all those years fighting with cam-out on Phillips heads and swearing at stripped screws.

rivera.susan19d ago

Hang on, you stripped 4 Phillips heads in a ROW on ONE deck project? That is WILD. I would have lost my mind and thrown the whole drill across the yard. Good for you for sticking with it though, I probably would have quit after the second one.