h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.h2g2.com/A471025

There are those who may decry the DIY handyman, who mock their results, or who fail to understand the thought, preparation and planning that goes into the erection of, say, a shelf that was required two years ago. Here we have only enough space to scratch the surface of one the multitude of things that are involved in just a tiny aspect of the handyman's craft.

This entry has to go into the guide, if only for the title.

There is one serious omission. I refer to the Posidrive screw. The posidrive (I'm not sure of the spelling) looks almost identical to the Philips, a cross-shaped head, but the two are slightly different shapes. If you use a Philips screwdriver in a Posidrive screw or vice-versa, you are likely to chew the head of the screw and render it incapable of further screwing. It is important to always have both a Philips scewdriver and a Posidrive scewdriver available. You can actually tell the two types of scew apart. The posidrive scew has a small extra cross, at 40 degrees to the main cross. On small screws, this may be no more than an inscribed scratch on the head of the screw, but it is there to identify it as a posidrive screw. A quick survey indicates that Posidrive screws are actually more common than Philips ones. It is part of the reason why people hate cross-head screws: they don't realise there are two types, and use the wrong tool.

You are probably right, I'll try and squeeze something in. It was just that I wanted my little pun/comment about Philip(s) and didn't want to get too involved in the ins and outs (I'll have to squeeze that in too!) of screw types.

It might be worth mentioning those awful security screws you get with window lock kits, etc. You know, the ones with a flat bit for the screw-driver when you are screwing them in, but aslopy bit when you try to unscrew them - If you screw it in wrongly, I can guarantee you will turn the air blue!

- Adam

I was surprised that an article on Screwing didn't mention the erection of shelves, although you do use the phrase in your cover note.

The phrase "the right tool for the job" is a useful one you might like to consider putting in your article somewhere.

I started with the intention of cramming as many double entendres and allusions into it as possible, but didn't want to make it too obvious. However, in view of your and the good doctor's comments above, seemingly taking it as 'straight', maybe I have erred on the subtle side. I will try a little re-working over the coming weeks to try and hit both targets.

All of the above points are now incorporated in the entry. Thanks for your input.

This article is great! The content is extremely informative, especially for those who have rarely used a screwdriver, or those who are looking to improve their 'technique'.

You certainly have a talent for manipulating the thoughts of the reader (or maybe it is just my dirty mind).

Croz (Scout)

Thanks Croz, It is, of course, all in your mind, which may be the best place to contemplate DIY!

Darned good wheeze, old chap.
Will the conversations off it be screw threads then?

If you wanted to be arcane, you could perhaps mention the tappet and self tapping screws, but I think that might be too much...there's only so much you can talk about screws without the danger of starting to bore.

Darned good wheeze, old chap.
Will the conversations off it be screw threads then?

If you wanted to be arcane, you could perhaps mention the tappet and self tapping screws, but I think that might be too much...there's only so much you can talk about screws without the danger of starting to bore.

Great news! Not only did I like this entry, but so did the Editors. Anna's exact words about it were

"Can't stop *groaning* from all the puns in there - a worthy topic for the guide"

So there you have it. Very soon this thread will be moved out of Peer Review and the entry will have (Recommended) in the corner; one step closer to being in the Edited Guide.

Congrats!

Croz

Your appreciation is appreciated! Thanks.

Editorial Note: This thread has been moved out of the Peer Review forum because this entry has now been recommended for the Edited Guide.

If they haven't been along already, the Scout who recommended your entry will post here soon, to let you know what happens next. Meanwhile you can find out what will happen to your entry here: http://www.h2g2.com/SubEditors-Process

Congratulations!