Cam-out happens when the reaction from angled recess walls pushes the bit axially out of the screw head as torque rises. It is worst with Phillips and slotted drives, worn bits and too little end force, and it leaves rounded, chewed recesses that make later removal miserable. Drives with near-parallel walls, such as Torx, Robertson and hex socket, keep it to a minimum.
Bit keeps camming out on the hinge screws, lean on the driver harder and turn the clutch down.
Also heard as
- cam out
- cammed out
Related terms
Phillips
A cross-shaped recess drive with tapered walls, the default drive on sheet metal, wood and small machine screws.
Torx
A six-lobed star drive that transmits more torque with less cam-out than cross or hex recesses.
Rounded off
Describes a hex head, nut or socket recess whose corners have worn smooth so wrenches just slip.
Robertson
A square-socket screw drive, standard in Canadian construction, with color-coded bit and handle sizes.