Security Screws

[VicParticipant @vic]

Have any of you successfully removed screws like this without damaging the surrounding material? It’s a Belkin six way extension that I’d like to fit a slightly longer cable to.

Hard to photograph, but they can be screwed in with a standard slotted screwdriver, but can’t be removed due to the shape of the head.

[VicParticipant @vic]

This is the type.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

You can sometimes drive them round with a sharp dot punch at the bottom of the ramped part

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I have used a standard slot bit and set the cordless onto screwdriver low torque so it vibrates, sometimes ok but not always.

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

I have had this problem, the solution is simple. Silver solder a U shaped piece of steel onto a standard screwdriver. I have plenty of old screwdrivers and this solves the problem.

I have a large range of security bits, but the manufacturers who make them don’t seem to have got round to this new type yet. I am sure they will be available soon!

Andrew

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

You could try to cut the groove a tad deeper with a Dremel.

[peter1972Participant @peter1972]

Drill a small hole in each of the two flat areas of the screw head, preferably using a small centre drill. Insert circlip pliers, two thin masonry nails or two thin silver steel rod into the holes.

Alternatively, use an inline junction box such as this example:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/debox-16a-2sl-in-line-junction-box-50-x-29-x-97mm-white/9858R?tc=MT1

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

Vic , As is frequently the case with this or similar screws , are these screws hardened and do you have any new replacements ?

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

Also , try searching Clutch Head Removal Tool , and example of which is the CTA Tools 8752 4 piece set on Amazon

[Trevor Drabble 1]

On Trevor Drabble 1 Said:

Also , try searching Clutch Head Removal Tool , and example of which is the CTA Tools 8752 4 piece set on Amazon

Would these do?

Edit: I realised I have some of these bits. Just tried them and no dice.

[Trevor Drabble 1]

On Trevor Drabble 1 Said:

Vic , As is frequently the case with this or similar screws , are these screws hardened and do you have any new replacements ?

I’ve no idea. I’m sure I’ve got some more conventional screws to replace them though. Just a matter of getting the old ones out.

[VicParticipant @vic]

I’ve found this set which looks promising. Not cheap though.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ryobi-One-Way-Remover-Installer-3-Piece/dp/B00Q6GRWYE

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

Vic , Yes , that’s one of the ones I spotted too . Do you have a reversing impact driver to use them with ? I have a kitchen fitters Makita one which I find very useful for removing screws which I could not otherwise easily remove by other methods.

[VicParticipant @vic]

The one I linked earlier won’t work for me if it requires the collar. If you look at the image in my OP you can see the screws are recessed. The screw heads themselves are quite small, only about 5mm across.

[peter1972]

On peter1972 Said:

…

Alternatively, use an inline junction box such as this example:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/debox-16a-2sl-in-line-junction-box-50-x-29-x-97mm-white/9858R?tc=MT1

An inline junction would be my first choice, or buy an extension with a longer lead.

Often as not when I’ve got past anti-tamper screws, it’s only to find the innards are uncooperative too.   Nearly fixed my daughter’s jammed laminator recently, but couldn’t get it back together.  The plastic pillars that took self-tappers were one-time only and several plastic clips just broke.  Not designed to be taken apart and a waste of time trying to mend it.

Perhaps Vic will share what he finds inside his extension lead. Good, bad or ugly!

Dave

 

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

I was going to suggest a LH drill, better though would be a LH endmill (Clamp job on drilling machine, after centering up, then HAND rotate cutter whilst applying firm pressure with the quill, screw should back out.

actually a screwdriver shaped blade (with sharp edges) might work.

Another method is to get the screw hot to soften the grip in the substrate using a soldering iron or just repeated applications of say gas ring heated old screwdriver, then use sharp blade as above.

Ian P

 

[MacolmParticipant @macolm]

Not had occasion to try this. Hardened steel is easily drilled with PCB carbide micro drill bits in a Dremel (get a set from an Ebay vendor), and with care there is little risk of breaking the bit. Drill two opposite holes of a size so that short bits of MIG wire are a close fit and use an ordinary screwdriver across them, or snipe nose pliers, or make a pin tool. Ingenuity needed, but seems promising to me.

[SillyOldDuffer]

On SillyOldDuffer Said:

On peter1972 Said:

…

Alternatively, use an inline junction box such as this example:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/debox-16a-2sl-in-line-junction-box-50-x-29-x-97mm-white/9858R?tc=MT1

Buy an extension with a longer lead.

 

Dave

 

This particular six way extension lead has been very useful, being able to accommodate plugs many others can’t. The form factor has also been a big plus for me. It hasn’t been made for some years and appears to be of good quality. Sadly the 2 metre lead is too short for its next tour of duty.

[VicParticipant @vic]

I’ve ordered a set of screw extractors. Hopefully the smallest size will be suitable to get these six screws out?

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Grind a screwdriver so the end has nice sharp edges, and apply a lot of downward pressure. Turn slowly. Better than even chance it’ll bite into the screw enough to loosen it.

Rob

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

How about cutting off the plug and jointing a new length of cable on. You can get good connectors even waterproof as well.

David

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

When I was a lad, and my Dad worked at GKN … This style of head was colloquially known as a ‘Gaol-Door Screw’

Hopefully the ones that Belkin use are not that good 🙂

MichaelG.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

This is a non-rewireable extension lead. By law in the UK they are designed to be non openable. Even if you get it open there is likey no way to connect a new cable in a manner the retains the safety and relibility of the original. It should not be re-wired

Why not fit an IEC 60320 C14 “kettle” / “PC” male connector to the existing lead and use a standard C13 power lead plugged into that?  There are also ready made C13/C14 leads that can be used as  extensions. Depending on the lead used this could reduce the maximum load to 5A but thai is not an issue for IT type equiment.

Robert.

[Grindstone Cowboy]

On Grindstone Cowboy Said:

Grind a screwdriver so the end has nice sharp edges, and apply a lot of downward pressure. Turn slowly. Better than even chance it’ll bite into the screw enough to loosen it.

Rob

Probably the best suggestion so far, I think there’s some merit it this, thanks.

[HowiParticipant @howi]

All this fuss for an extension lead, there is a reason they put tamper proof screws in, why not just plug it into another (longer extension lead?

[Author]

Posts