Right to Repair

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FiskFisk33 , in Polish Hackers Repaired Trains the Manufacturer Artificially Bricked. Now The Train Company Is Threatening Them

Modifying the software of a device YOU OWN, should never be illegal in and of itself.

Engineer OP Mod ,

Absolutely. Maybe an exception for video game multiplayer cheating, but that's the only thing I can think of. Any other situation I can think of just enriches the computer to the massive detriment of the user.

Akrenion ,

Force modified clients in a seperate lobby. Mods can be fun and extend shelflife of games immensly.

Aux , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled

I had drill bits for such screws for decades, never had the reason to use them though. It's nice to see that there's a use for them after all!

noobnarski ,

Well, the drill bit wont fit if the hole is too long and thin, so its not always quite that easy.

lightnsfw , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled

Cut that middle bit out and make it into a flathead.

an_onanist OP ,

The screw head was at tho bottom of a 2 inch shaft. I destroyed the casing just to find out what the issue was.

lightnsfw ,

Wow that's terrible.

fraksken , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled

Grind a flat

Etterra ,

I didn't even know that that screw type had its own name until I saw it in another comment, but the first thing I thought was to just do what you said.

Rivalarrival ,

How are you supposed to grind a flat on a screw recessed 2" in a hole?

Iampossiblyatwork ,

1" Grinding wheel. Duh.

fraksken ,

Take a flat screwdriver and moubt it on a vice. Take your angle grinder, mount a disk for metal grinding. Grind away the middle of the flat screwdriver head.
Done it before for the exact same purpose.

bitchkat , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled

I'd use my dremel to finish the slot that was only partially cut.

chonglibloodsport ,

Or use the dremel to cut a slot in the end of a flat screwdriver.

M0oP0o , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled
@M0oP0o@mander.xyz avatar

Oh, I have that bit. Its not even the weirdest

aniki , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled

Were you able to fix it?

an_onanist OP ,

I destroyed the casing to learn why my Phillips screw driver couldn't grab the screw head.

EndOfLine , (edited ) in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled
@EndOfLine@lemm.ee avatar

Thought they might sell these specialty tools online, but 3 minutes of searching came up with nothing. Might be time to get creative.

Do you have the room to get a Dremel in there the cut it so a regular flathead will work?

If not, maybe try to use needle noise pliers as your screwdriver.

As a last resort, pick up a cheap screwdriver and cut it to make it slotted.

Edit: I love how quickly several people have commented with links to the needed tools. Thanks to all of you!

KazuyaDarklight ,
@KazuyaDarklight@lemmy.world avatar

Depending on the size, I've absolutely gotten small versions of these bits in IT/Electronics repair kits.

jws_shadotak , (edited )

https://www.ifixit.com/products/mako-driver-kit-64-precision-bits

iFixit sells kits like this that have every screw head imaginable. No need to get creative.

Edit: fixed link

EndOfLine ,
@EndOfLine@lemm.ee avatar

Nice. Thanks for the link.

FYI: There is an "s" missing from the end of that url. https://www.ifixit.com/products/mako-driver-kit-64-precision-bits

aniki ,

Hows the durability of their stuff? I've been intrigued.

jws_shadotak ,

I've had this kit for about two years and it's been excellent. I don't use it for much outside of electronics, which is not very taxing on these tools.

aniki ,

Awesome appreciate the insight! Next time I need something weird I'll grab a kit and chuck the rest of my amalgamation of random one-offs.

twack ,

If you snap one, they will send you a replacement for free. I chipped one of the security torx once, and was surprised at how easy it was to get replaced.

aniki ,

thats whats up!

jws_shadotak ,

FYI: There is an "s" missing from the end of that url. https://www.ifixit.com/products/mako-driver-kit-64-precision-bits

Thanks, fixed

steal_your_face ,
@steal_your_face@lemmy.ml avatar

I have this kit and I remember seeing a similar head in there. Highly recommend it. I’ve used it a bunch.

kernelle ,

Same, and I bought one over 6 years ago. Would buy again 11/10

AngryCommieKender ,
Passerby6497 , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled

If you haven't already, look into getting a ratcheting screwdriver with replaceable bits, and a pack of various bits for it. Idk where I got it, but I've got all kinds of screwy bits (including the H-bit head) that I need very infrequently, but I'm always happy when I do and I already have it.

I think the bit pack I got was for the security torx and it came with a bunch of other stuff.

lettruthout , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled

It's called an "H-type" head. I found some tools for that on eBay but was reluctant to spend any money on something I'd probably never need again, ever. But this video shows a hack using scissors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA6_S9YkZEc

I didn't have a pair laying around that worked but the video inspired me to MacGyver my way to remove that aberration against all that's good in humanity.

lurch ,

in a case i only needed it once, i would solder or power glue something to it to use as a wings handle.

... but that's just me. I'm like eccentric MacGuyver.

Anticorp , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled

One more use for the awesome oscillating cutting tool I received for Christmas last year!

MxRemy , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled

My library has a lendable "Ultimate Screwdriver Kit" that has every bit size and type I've ever heard of, security Torx, pentalobe, oval, gamebit, spanner, etc etc. Also a bunch of different styles of bit holder, and a bunch of attachments like angle adapters, depth setters, torque limiters, etc. Only tangentially relevant I guess... but if you run into a problem like this again, check your local library to potentially avoid having to buy obscure bits online!

NegativeLookBehind , in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled
@NegativeLookBehind@lemmy.world avatar

Grab a dremel tool and make that piece of shit into a flathead

neidu2 , (edited ) in Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled

The bit set and tool set from IFixIt has those. I'm not sponsored by them in any way, but I will shamelessly recommend their tools when I can because they're objectively good for this kind of stuff.

Engineer Mod , in Kobo partners with iFixit to make new e-readers more repairable

Great news, iFixit partnerships are a great way to improve repairability.

Piemanding ,

I just hope iFixit doesn't become the bad guy as the only repairability game in town.

lgsp OP ,
@lgsp@feddit.it avatar

You know, I was thinking the same thing. It's always iFixit: Motorola, Nokia, and now Kobo. But I don't see how a company with a mission like iFixit can turn into bad guy (enshittify?). Am I too optimistic?

Piemanding ,

Just looked it up and iFixit is not publicly traded so the potential for enshitification is much lower, but still possible. If iFixit goes public I will lose all faith in them.

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