What's the difference between Pozidriv and Philips Screwdrivers?

Here's a quick tip from the SedgeTool team at the Punk Rock Workshop.

Pozidriv vs. Phillips

For our friends who like to read, here's a quick overview of the difference between Pozidriv and Phillips. Phillips screw heads are designed so that the Phillips screwdriver will cam-out (slip) if too much torque (power) is applied. Pozidriv screws are designed to prevent cam-out.

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SedgeTool is all about woodworking and having a great time doing it. SedgeTool is Brian “Sedge” Sedgeley who brings 30 years of woodworking experience and tons of energy to the team. Derick “Big D” Clements who has NO CLUE about woodworking but is ready to learn. Chris "cameraman" Seibert who films it all! If you want to have a good time and learn something about woodworking, then you’ve come to the right place.

All views and opinions expressed during SedgeTool are explicitly those of SedgeTool. They are not intended to represent any claims, value statements, or opinions of any of the tools, brands, subsidiaries, or parent companies of brands referenced, visible, or mentioned on the show. The SedgeTool team is here for entertainment and educational purposes only. SedgeTool is not a replacement for proper training or safety guidelines as outlined by the manufacturer's owner’s manuals.

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[homersimpson]

Perfect! Great explanation. And in 2.5 mins without all other nonsense. Thanks!

[paulwhealy]

The other key reason i tell my guys to never use a Philips driver when it’s a Pozidrive screw is the actual shape of the four fins or wings.
On a Philips driver tip — and in the Philips screw slots — the wings taper down to a point so when you turn a tight Philips screw, the driver immediately wants to slide up the slope and then jump to the next groove — ruins the screw head — and after a while the Philips tip will be worn and rounded.
Look again at the Pozidrive —each wing is the same thickness right to the bottom — and the screw wing slots are parallel also — a perfect fit. No matter how hard you turn it, the tip stays tight to the bottom of the screw slot. Much stronger than Philips.

[ralphiewigs]

Now that I'm almost done with my kitchen remodel, I find this out. I knew something wasn't right!

[debonweb]

Thanks for this ... I already knew about the difference after researching online some years ago as to why certain screws in the house I bought here in the UK were completely stripped and I had to buy screw extractors to be able to remove them! I just wanted to remind myself and came across your video ... very helpful and useful. I wish to goodness that some of the tradesmen who have come to do jobs for me knew about it too! Most of them seem to think that they're all Philips and I've now got even more stripped screws that I will need to tackle at some point. So frustrating. One guy came to quote for a job for boarding the loft and I offered him a screwdriver to remove the existing loft hatch to save him going back to his van. When I asked whether the screws were Philips or Pozidrive he said they're all the same. When I told him they aren't all the same he wasn't at all happy and obviously thought that me as a female wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about. He had a real face on him because I was trying to tell him something he should have known already. Needless to say I got someone else to do the job! Perhaps in future that will be my test of whether to hire somebody or not the Philips v Pozi question ! :) :)

[TheNailSpecialist]

Learned something today! I saw a review on a product mentioning they swapped the screws out for Pozi screws on a product so I went to investigate what the difference is and found your video very helpful. Now I know why the Phillips screwdriver slips in some screws and causes blunting of the head.

Off to buy the right screwdrivers.

[patrikhafstrom]

Nice explanation!
IKEA brought Pozidrive to the most corners of the world 😀 Here in Sweden I would not by any screws that isn’t Pozidrive or Torx. Torx is the best and gets more and more common here. Phillips is outdated here but for some unknown reasons stil used in drywall screws and som special screws but that will change.
Greatings from Sweden 🇸🇪

[gavinmason]

Philips screws are used throughout manufacturing, from watches to washing machines and from computers to cars. Pozidriv screws are used exclusively in the construction trade where high torque is required.

[danielcarroll]

The Phillips was designed to cam out if excess torque was applied. Nowadays you can set the torque on your driver and have no problem with Pozidriv screws. The Phillips profile of driver to screw is a ramp, while the Pozidriv is two surfaces at 90 degrees to the force. Having Sheetrock screws Phillips prevents the screws shearing off or going right through the plasterboard if driven with a driver with no torque control. Horses for courses as the British say.

[pmelchman]

keep them coming guys. Great video. Big D is going to Sedge School

[buildingnfixing]

Thank you this was a really good insight. My hinges thank you as well.

[fotopdo]

Exactly why philips screws are banned from my shop!

[billymanilli]

Great explanation! Time to show my son now!

[revg]

Now I understand—thanks that was driving me crazy when you say pozidrive I thought you made that up

[thegingeredone]

Philips screws are mainly used in fastening metal panels on machines and where metal to metal fastenings are used. I assume that this is because of the low amount of torque possible. With metal, there is no give and so over tightening the screw with just either strip the thread, depending on the hardness of the metal, or sheer off the head of the screws. For example, if you put too much torque into a screw going into brass, the thread will just strip.
So - Philips in a metalworking environment, Pozi in a woodworking environment.

[Gillysaurxx]

I watched this whole video twice because the first time i was thinking about that lead holder the time! Whats the name of it!

[jtbvxtp]

Thanks for this. I have ruined many a screw. Now I know why.

[MHGL]

Thanks to that nice Boston accent, i felt like i was watching an wpisode of This Old House 😌

[albertovaca]

On this days we have to go with the flow or actual current of new and good things to accoplish more proyects in the residence one live.

[chardelraconner]

orientation meaning togetherness in effort of to come ; phelps isn't traveling d'tonneau is in need of a follicle utensil adjustment tool american made

[thomasmFR]

Thanks for the video. I'm a little confused by the Pozidriv. I have two screws M4 and M5, both pozidriv. Only my PZ2 screwdriver works ( PZ1 too loose and PZ3 too big to fit in ).
But, the pozi edges of my screwdriver ( Stanley brand ) are not touching the pozi cuts of the screws. There is like a fade off before the tip. So what's the point here? ( vs normal philips ) Why this fade off if the edges are meant to bite those cuts ?