The Ford Barn

desotoguy · 03-14-2012, 07:52 AM

Anyone have an idea why Henry used slot head screws and square head nut for assembly of the Model A? Some are really tuff to remove after 80+ years.

1931 flamingo · 03-14-2012, 07:57 AM

Probably cost and do you think he knew the cars would still be going strong in 2012!!!??
Paul in CT

HoarseWhisperer · 03-14-2012, 08:08 AM

They would have been Robertson screws if Henry Ford and P. L. Robertson could have come to an agreement.

"Henry Ford refused to commit to a new product line without having a say in how and where the screws would be made. P.L was not happy with this idea and headed home."

james hitchcock · 03-14-2012, 08:22 AM

They did use phillips head screws for a brief period. Due to the fact that no one had invented the phillips head screwdriver they discontinued their use. He, He. And if you believe that one, I've got some......

clo2jim · 03-14-2012, 08:35 AM

Ford used Robertson (squre head) screws - a Canadian Invention (and much better screw head) - in Canadian-built Models A's and slotted head screw is the USA-built cars for the reason stated by HoarseWisperer

Tom Wesenberg · 03-14-2012, 08:37 AM

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Phillips head screws weren't invented until later in the 30's.

Terry, NJ · 03-14-2012, 08:40 AM

I believe the slot head screws were all that was available at that time. Square nuts were probably a little cheaper and had been in use for decades prior to the A. Just as an aside, I've worked on Civil War era machinery that had bolts as big as 1/2 " and slotted heads, with a counterbore.
Terry

Quote:

Originally Posted by desotoguy

Anyone have an idea why Henry used slot head screws and square head nut for assembly of the Model A? Some are really tuff to remove after 80+ years.

jfrankhash · 03-14-2012, 12:43 PM

When first used, Phillips screws were protected by a patent, as were Phillips screw drivers. I have several Phillips screwdrivers engraved with
" licensed under patent # --------." Even if invented, Henry would have been unwilling to pay the steep royalty.

03-14-2012, 07:52 AM	#1
desotoguy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Greenwood SC Posts: 294	Henry and his Model A Anyone have an idea why Henry used slot head screws and square head nut for assembly of the Model A? Some are really tuff to remove after 80+ years.

03-14-2012, 07:57 AM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Henry and his Model A Probably cost and do you think he knew the cars would still be going strong in 2012!!!?? Paul in CT

03-14-2012, 08:08 AM	#3
HoarseWhisperer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,470	Re: Henry and his Model A They would have been Robertson screws if Henry Ford and P. L. Robertson could have come to an agreement. "Henry Ford refused to commit to a new product line without having a say in how and where the screws would be made. P.L was not happy with this idea and headed home."

03-14-2012, 08:22 AM	#4
james hitchcock Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Visalia Ca. Posts: 617	Re: Henry and his Model A They did use phillips head screws for a brief period. Due to the fact that no one had invented the phillips head screwdriver they discontinued their use. He, He. And if you believe that one, I've got some......

03-14-2012, 08:35 AM	#5
clo2jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Ontario, Canada Posts: 175	Re: Henry and his Model A Ford used Robertson (squre head) screws - a Canadian Invention (and much better screw head) - in Canadian-built Models A's and slotted head screw is the USA-built cars for the reason stated by HoarseWisperer

03-14-2012, 08:37 AM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Henry and his Model A Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Phillips head screws weren't invented until later in the 30's.

03-14-2012, 12:43 PM	#8
jfrankhash Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Wilsall, MT Posts: 28	Re: Henry and his Model A When first used, Phillips screws were protected by a patent, as were Phillips screw drivers. I have several Phillips screwdrivers engraved with " licensed under patent # --------." Even if invented, Henry would have been unwilling to pay the steep royalty.