Screw Head (triangular) Question ?

[Bob]

Hi,

Trying to repair a kids plastic toy. Like most, it is held together by really small tapered screws. Screws have a pointed tip.

But these are a bit different.

Most of the toys I've worked on, (my Grandson is not the most gentle) have screw heads for the screws like this that have a small indent for a Phillips head screwdriver. Usually one of the Jewelers types that comes in those kits. Pretty small; maybe a mm or two.

But, easy to find a Phillips from these kits that works.

These seem to be different.

They appear to have a triangular indentation in the head. Obviously not for a Phillips.

Anyone ever run across any like this with a "triangular" indent in the head ? Do they sell small screwdrivers for these ? What are they called ?

Thanks, Bob

[trader_4]

IDK what they are called, but I've seen them. I have a "security bit set" from Harbor Freight that I'm pretty sure includes that. It also has a lot of other common bits for screws designed to keep you out. Like most HF stuff, it's cheap, think it was under $10 for the whole set. Might find similar on Ebay too.

[bob_villa]

This is what I have ($5 at a local import/salvage store). It doesn't show the type your looking for? (the larger set doesn't have it either)

[bob_villa]

[trader_4]

That's swell, except there is no triangular bit. Good grief.

[bob_villa]

That's what I said...it isn't readily available. But thanks anyway Charlie Brown!

[John G]

I did a search for screwdriver bits at Mcmaster.com and a little chart showed up:

John Grabowski

[Tony Hwang]

Triangle screw driver, of course you can buy them. Diffferent sizes.

[Bob]

Hi Folks,

Thanks so much for All the help. Much appreciated.

Looks like I have a TP3 type.

Sure have learned a lot.

Regards, Bob

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[micky]

Best to get the molybdenum-titanium-strontium alloy bits, Some of those children's toys can be pretty tough.

But I haven't seen triangular yet, and i have a set much bigger than the red rubber set BV posted.

[BenignBodger]

[rbowman]

Tri-Wings, TA, or TP3, depending. For a one off an allen wrench and a Dremel ought to get you close. Or, if you have a Torx set, try stuffing the tightest one in. Or filing down a sacrificial flat screwdriver until it's close might get it.

Like the Maker crowd says 'If you can't take it apart you don't own it.'

[Ralph Mowery]

Don't know what they are called, but a while back I ordered a kit that had

20 or 30 bits in it from Amazon or off ebay from China that had a few screwdriver bits that sound like those. Looks similar to a Phillips except 3 things instead of 4. I don't think I payed more than about 10$ or less for the kit of small screwdrivers.

[clare]

Haven't got a clue what the official name of the screws is, but I've heard then called many names that can't be printed in a public forum!!!! The screwdrivers ARE fairly widely available and are included in the "electronic repair" screwdriver kit I have. They are common on Cheap Chinese Crap toys and technologic crap - like Asus notepads etc.

[clare]

There are the Y heads, and the TRIANGULAR head - like a 3 lobed philips, and a 3 cornered robertson.

[sms]

Apple uses tri-point bits for the battery in some of its Macbooks. Different from tri-wing. That may be what is used on the toy.

Available in this set:

In the HF 100 piece bit set they have very large tri-point bits, but those are not the ones you need for the toy.

[Dee]

This is what im looking into. I had to use a tiny flathead. It fit quite perfectly to do the trick but im concerned of stripping the head.

[trader_4]

Sounds like a security bit. Harbor Freight has a kit where you get probably 50 of them, various types, for maybe $10. IDK if that one is in it, but you could check.

[TimR]

I have seen triangle screw heads on a security fence, but one side of each slot is straight, while the other end tapers gently back up to the screw heads. You can screw them in with a triangle bit, but I don't see any way to unscrew them. I suspect you have to grind them off.