The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Phillips Head Screws

Hi Guys,
At a show on Sunday, a guy in my class questioned the correctness of the Phillips head screws on my '37 Chevy's windshield garnish moulding, sun visor fasteners, etc. Most of the interior fasteners on my coupe are Phillips, but he said they weren't even invented in 1937. Research tells me they were invented in the early '30's, but I still don't know if they are correct on my Chevy. Please advise.
Woody Gingrich

He proposed clutch head?

Woodeemail,

Most likely Phillips-head screws were available in 1937. As FlameRed asked, did the person say that clutch-head screws were used in those places in 1937?

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blscrewdriver.htm

It is possible that Phillips and/or clutch-head screws were used interchangeably on the assembly line (depending on what was available). My guess is they were sometimes used interchangeably in the late 40s through early 50s. Just a guess.

Does anyone know why GM used clutch-head screws (did they own the patent)?

Tim

Hi Guys,
I am not new to your site but I am new to replying to a good question.
This one is for Woodeemail about the Phillips screws. Yes they did have Phillips screws in 1937. I have a 1937 fastener book and it shows on the 1937 Chevrolet and Fisher bodies use nickel and chrome plated Phillips screws. Some of those use standard #6 with #6 head and some are #8 with a #6 head.
Also most of your Chevy and GM products use Phillip head sheet metal and machine screws. Most of your early and later ***** use slotted head screws.
I seen this question and thought I could help. Since you guys and this site has helped me with many questions on my 54 Chevy 3100 truck
Thank you
54 florida boy

For a good read, try:
http://www.simonsays.com/content/content.cfm?sid=33&pid=410650

I was surprised when i removed the steering wheel on my 1960 chevy sedan and found cluch head screws still used to retain the turn signal unit.

I have a theory on the clutch head screws. I bet they were invented so they could be driven in with a airdriven screwdriver at a time philips screws were not available yet. We all know using an airdriven screwdriver on slotted screws is impossible and they may have developed the clutch head and then the philips screws to use assembly line style tools to put them in with.
What do you think?

I don't think air powered screw motors were invented until after phillips screws. I think air drill motors were invented in the late '40s- early '50s. I'd guess screw motors came later.