Security screws - appliances

Sep 27, 2023 Last reply: 2 years ago 14 Replies

I've got a couple of 4-way switched adapters where one switch won't work.



The screws that hold them in are different, one has what looks like two indents that might just be accessible with thin long nosed pliers and the other has three indents.



How do I know what screwdrivers are required and where from? I don't think I need an expensive set but I don't want to end up with breakable junk either.



You can buy hex shank bit sets ('security bits') that contain lots of different ones.

This might do you. Hover over the picture/diagram (on a PC) and see what you think.

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Possibly something like

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The gotcha is often the diameter of the hex shank is wider than the business end and it will not fit down a deep hole that is the only the diameter of the security screw head. On more than one bit I've had to modify it with a grinding wheel to reduce the size of the shank.

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The 2-point ones are easy with an ordinary screwdriver with a notch ground in the middle of the blade.

1/4 hex bits are easy to find, but the trouble I have with them is that the drive often will not fit down the deep holes that they sometimes use. Is there a very slender 1/4-in drive?

nib

4mm bits are the standard for 'precision' screwdrivers, although you may run into the problem that the bit is too short for the recessed screw and the handle bumps into the hole. You may be able to get long-shank versions.

Theo

snake-eyes

3-hole

I do wish sites would not do this, as 1 graphics often do not have a detailed description and 2 mouse over, mouse up and down is a type of control no blind person can use as the navigate using a keyboard and would not be aware the picture was there, even if it had a description. Brian

Arguably though, it you can't see the picture, the lack of accessible pan and zoom controls seems like a moot point?

I bought these a while ago:

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- recommended.

Yes, those 'security screws' are simply a way to make money for 'qualified technicians' who have the Torx/hex/star/whatever drivers and sockets for the plethora of odd shaped s*it (OSS) being mounted on the end of threaded components. Naturally everyone now has/buys a toolkit with a zillion types of bit/socket

When you do get them out, replace with something sensible

So I just need a screw extractor, problem solved, thanks.

folk have said how that can be done. Is grinding a flat tip not doable in your case? Or getting a security bit set? They're easier when not recessed, as other options are also usable.

See NP's post. As if I haven't got enough differently shaped screwdrivers with a one-off purpose. And no doubt someone will create a new shape in the next appliance I'll buy.

The flat tip doesn't sort the triangular/pyramid recessed screws either.

IME it does if they're only into plastic, and of course you use exactly the right size driver There is also a last ditch option for screws in well recessed plastic: break em. Either bash the cover off, and add new screws elsewhere, or put an iron tip on the screw to melt your way out. Repair trashed hole with some sort of stuffing or molten plastic. There's also the option to drill a hole in the centre of the head & use a reverse drill bit to undo it or dehead then unscrew it

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