Obscure screw added so appliance cannot be disassembled ( lemmy.world )

Basic blender went bad (motor ran but spindle wasn't rotating). I wanted to disassemble to see if it could be repaired. Three of the four screws were Phillips head. I had to cut the casing open in order to discover why I couldn't unscrew the fourth. It was a slotted spanner.

Passerby6497 ,

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.

Anticorp ,

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

MxRemy ,

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!

downpunxx ,
@downpunxx@fedia.io avatar

hahahahahaha, about three years ago now, I bought a hunting knife from Amazon that came with a sheath which had a belt clip that was held on by one of these fucking screws.

at the time, i couldn't figure for the life of me what it was or if there was a tool for this so I went to Home Depot, bought a .99 cent flathead our of their bargain tubs, took it to their tool rental department where they also will cut metal for you if you ask nicely. had them make a notch in the top of the flathead, brought it home and after some filing got it to get in there and loosen up this devil screw top.

now i know it's called a U or H type screwdriver. my way was cheaper, but nice to know the real solution now.

lettruthout ,

Wow, doing a MacGuyver with corporate assistance. I like it!

jawa21 ,
@jawa21@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

That belt clip is there to make the knife technically legal in some areas. A 3"+ blade can't be concealed by putting it in your pocket, so the workaround is to have the clip showing on the outside of your pocket, making it visible. That's why they use screws like that. At least that is my understanding - I could be wrong.

uis ,
@uis@lemm.ee avatar

a belt clip that was held on by one of these fucking screws.

Wow. This needs to be shown to all "ThIs Is FoR yOuR sAfEtY" idiots.

NegativeLookBehind ,
@NegativeLookBehind@lemmy.world avatar

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

aniki ,

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.

neidu2 , (edited )

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.

lettruthout ,

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.

Nougat ,

My vacuum cleaner. You know how the roller brush gets all tangled up with hair and threads and whatnot, and the way you fix that is to remove the roller and cut it all out?

The external screws are torx security bits. The internal screws are Phillips. The only reason is to get someone who isn't persistent to go buy a new vacuum cleaner when their roller gets tangled

WalrusDragonOnABike ,

I just pull the hair directly off the roller as is. No need to take it out. I clean it often enough that it would take more time to take it off no matter what screws it has. The worst part imo is the internal screws being phillips. Torx (whether "security" versions or not) > Phillips/Flathead.

prettybunnys ,

Name the brand so we can avoid

peto ,

At this point I think at least a modest tamper kit should be in a household the same way a screwdriver was previously.

EndOfLine , (edited )
@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 ,

https://www.amazon.com/ORIA-Precision-Screwdriver-Extension-Smartphone/dp/B01E16J6RQ?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2FOADTO08BQD0&th=1#immersive-view_1715788586172

I have this exact set. The bit he needs is second from the right, third from the bottom

poopsmith ,
@poopsmith@lemmy.world avatar

If you have a Dremel, I bet you could take out the center bit and use a regular slotted screwdriver.

ironhydroxide ,

$10 says it was recessed before op cut the base off, making it impossible without damage to slot the screw with a Dremel.

viking ,
@viking@infosec.pub avatar

So you use the dremel to cut a groove into your screwdriver instead.

Nimrod ,

Damn, I didn’t even think of that. It would be ruining a good screwdriver, but you could just use an old worn flat-head drill bit.

Good call, either way.

brbposting ,

👆

Where’d you get such a big brain

Edit - ah, since you can’t see the screw until you cut away at the product, the company is still going to frustrate even the crafty DIYers

A_A ,
@A_A@lemmy.world avatar

make a print with a bit of putty on a stick ?

brbposting ,

Great idea! Much more reasonable than trying to get a fiberoptic kind of camera down there.

lud ,

At that point, just buy the correct bit for the job.

NoneYa ,

A grinder to the center would make that compatible with a flathead screwdriver.

TropicalDingdong ,

Your gonna need a teeny tiny grinder. Maybe a dremmel?

Alteon ,

Everyone should have a Dremel. Damn thing is so useful.

Zipitydew ,

They really are and they're not prohibitively expensive either. Use mine all the time.

NounsAndWords ,

At that point you might as well just do it to the screw instead and use the normal screwdriver.

Crackhappy ,
@Crackhappy@lemmy.world avatar

What brand?

NoneYa ,

Yeah we should be shaming companies that do this sort of shit.

OP, please tell us which brand designed this. I’d love to know to stay away from their crap as much as possible.

guylacaptivite ,
@guylacaptivite@sh.itjust.works avatar

All of them.

an_onanist OP ,

Kenmore

acockworkorange ,

Can less

radicalautonomy ,

Barbieless

TheFriar ,

There is a screwdriver that you can get at the hardware store for this type of screw. You shouldn’t have to, I definitely agree. But fuck ‘em, repair your shit with the $5 screwdriver.

uis ,
@uis@lemm.ee avatar

Comon, do some reading:

I had to cut the casing open in order to discover why I couldn't unscrew the fourth.

HaywardT ,

Harbor freight has sets of tamper resistant bits. They are also handy for regular Allen and torx heads.

ThrowawaySobriquet ,

This right here. I bought their security bit set and, true, I've only ever opened the case three times in the few years I've had it, but in those three times nothing else would have worked without a more destructive solution

nilloc ,

Here’s the link, it’s helped me out a bunch of times in the 6-8 years I’ve had it.

2 notes though

  • these are hard cheese grade metal. Don’t plan on removing any high torque, Rusty or partly stripped screws with them, they’ll either break or round off.
  • if the screw is too recesses down a narrow hole, these won’t help. The bit holders are too wide to fit in. I have a Honeywell Air Purifier with one security Torx that is 3-4” down a hole that this set failed me on.
Godnroc ,

Just to add to your comment, the sell a smaller set for a few dollars less and also a "precision" screwdriver set that has some similar bits not but the full set. Both are very handy to keep around for this exact thing.

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