[FC] engine cover - fastener talk

[Chris & Bill Strickland]

>... not one suggestion for S/S Robertson Button Head Bolts.  That's "square" for you 'mericans.
>

Robertsons are regional and industry specific in the US -- you can find 
them everywhere, finally, *if* you want them (and bits to turn them, 
too), but, like button head Allens, too much torque or frequent usage 
will strip them out, the bit being small relative to the thread size. 
[If you want to use Allens, get socket head "grade 9", if they come in 
screws.] Thus, the Torx, designed for greater torque and more frequent 
reuse, ala engine covers -- Robertsons are basically for install once 
and leave 'em usage.  Granted, for non-magnetic stainless screws, they 
do hang on a bit pretty good.

They seem most common in Mid-West trailer/mh manufacturing, some 
electircal contractors use them, and there are some really handy 
flathead Robertson wood finish screws, oh yeah, and stuff from Canada -- 
ViseGrips'll turn 'em all! (a wood chisel will get the ViseGrips to that 
recessed flathead)

I've tried 'em (with hardened bits), I don't like their failure rate 
upon reuse.

Bill Strickland