Situation: using a screw gun to drive in the self-driving screws (the star shaped ones) horizontally, and sometimes at a difficult angle above my head. Hard to get good leverage like that. The driver starts spinning the screw but it doesn’t catch right away and then the screw jumps out and falls on the ground.
Has this happened to you? Is there a trick for that?
Hammer the screw in like a nail just a couple a couple millimeters before driving it.
Get yourself a bit holder with a guide sleeve (https://www.dewalt.com/product/dwairdg/ir-drive-guide-w-2-impact-ready-bits). Works for any type of screw since you load it with whatever bit type you need for your screw (in your case, torx). If you’ve never seen one, you’ll love how easy it makes driving screws when they wanna fall off the bit/work.
Only real drawback is you don’t have precise control of the angle the screw starts at but it’s close enough for most work.
Generally with torx screws, you don’t need much leverage. I suggest buying better screws.
For example, Spax torx screws have little razor blades on the tips so that when you are driving, they function as a drill as well. This means that you don’t really have to apply force to them from the back.
Another thing you can do is use a hammer drill. A hammer drill will make short work of any of that.
Another option is to use a right angle adapter.
Additionally, the torx bit should fit in the screw head to the point that it kind of suctions in place like a Lego. Spax, as an example, includes bits in every screw box, and they are probably the best bits you can get.
Another brand (I don’t like them as well but whatever) is GTK.
GRK is the other brand I believe. Seem to be more common here in Canada.
You use Robertson in Canada unless you hate freedom.
Very much yes, but torx is quite nice as well.
Here in the states, GRK is a little more expensive than Spax (very slightly tbf). Their tips are really good, but imo nothing compares to the serrated tips that Spax has. It makes things so simple.
The shorter Spax screws also accommodate a Robertson tip really well also.
That said, GRK, if that is the best you can get, is going to treat you well. I might not like them as much, but they are a quality product.
Use an awl to give it a little dimple to drive into.
I see a lot of good responses but id also like to add: Drill a hole first if you can. Use a bit smaller then what your screw is, and only drill enough to be able to slide the screw into the hole.
You could also do this with a hammer and punch tool, provided you can reach.
This also doubles as a benefit for wood, you’re unlikely to split or crack the wood if you pre-drill the hole.
I had a whole box of Simpson screws that did that. Try another brand
If you mean phillips head, then fins the right sized bit. they look similar but the right size grips the screw properly
Completely agree. It’s also worth saying that worn Phillips bits don’t perform as well as ones with less wear. If OP is using a cordless drill, use the clutch to avoid the bit caming out.
Yes, torx screws and good quality bits. Bosch ones are good
