Henry and his Model A

[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.

 

[1931 flamingo]

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

 

[HoarseWhisperer]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Terry NJ]

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

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]

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.