Three cornered Philips type screwdriver

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

 

 

Rather than have to make one, does anyone know where I might be able to source one of these? It is for a security screw on the back of a time switch

 

They do exist, but my internet searches all lead me to the regular four point drivers

 

Thank you

Brian

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Do a search for security or tamperproof screwdriver bit, it will bring up a number of options.

[Dave MartinParticipant @davemartin29320]

Brian – try searching for "tri-lobe" or "tri-wing". Cheapest may be a bit set such as this one.

Dave

[Keith LongParticipant @keithlong89920]

Try a quick google search for "tri-wing" screwdrivers or bits. Lots of places stock them, Amazon, Cromwell, Screwfix, Maplins possibly, it will depend on what's local to you. I bought a set of various "security bits" from Maplins, I think, that includes the tri-wing variety. One issue you might find is that as well as using the tri-wing design they are often in quite deep counterbores so it can be a bit if an issue actually getting the screwdriver deep enough to make contact. I've certainly found that using the 6mm hex screwdriver bits, the holder is too big to go down the counterbore,so an ordinary screwdriver type tool might be needed, in which CPC Farnell or RS might be a better bet.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Pound shops and TKmax type places have little tool sets with those goofy fitments as well if you want to try an instant cheap option

[Stuart BridgerParticipant @stuartbridger82290]

+1 on the security bit set. I bought one from Screwfix at a very sensible price and it has got me out of trouble many times.

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Thank you all for these helpful suggestions.

It is clearly the correct use of semantics that opens the door; I hadn't thought at all of tri-lobe or tri-wing.

Brian

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I needed one for a job a while back, so I attacked a spare screw driver, first wit the off hand grinder, then the Dremel, I suppose it took about ten minutes.

Ian S C

[Brian GParticipant @briang]

Small sizes are sold on eBay as "Nintendo Screwdrivers" due to their use when repairing the games.

Brian

[VicParticipant @vic]

Lidl had security bit sets on sale a few weeks back which included the tri wing. Worth keeping a look out for them as they'll come round again I'm sure.

[davidsuffolkParticipant @davidsuffolk]

This set is available from eBay at £4.29 posted so hardly worth trying to make /alter something else. I have similar and very often comes in useful, especially the TORX drivers

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Brian,
Toolstation also stock these.

Screwfix also stock a few different sets. I did a search for "security bit set"

Les.

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Thank you all again, a most surprising degree of response. As David Suffolk observed it might not be worth the bother of making something except for the wee problem that this wretched screw is recessed deep in the hole; a point Keith Long so astutely made.

Once the horrible thing is out it will be replaced with a standard self tap. So I rather fear I shall be forced to make a suitable tool to extract it after all.

But it has been an interesting little diversion even so.

Regards all round and have a good Christmas

Brian

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Brian, you can get longer sets, mine are 100mm long

[mark costello 1Participant @markcostello1]

Do Youall across the pond have Harbor Freight?

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Mark,

I don't know, maybe others do

Brian

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Thank you Jason, useful to remember.

Brian

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

Posted by mark costello 1 on 21/12/2015 18:30:12:

Do Youall across the pond have Harbor Freight?

Not here in the UK, but I have visited a number of their stores in the States and had some great items from them…..

Back to the op's question, Maplin provided me with my tool set…..

[AJSParticipant @ajs]

Brian,

I have made one which is perfectly satisfactory for the odd screw which needs to be shifted.

Nothing more than a piece of silver steel filed with a triangular taper at the end to fit the recess in the screw. If it is the sort with a security pin in the centre then drill a small clearance hole in the end.

Harden and temper if you need to use it several times.

Alan

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Alan Rudd and AJS,

Once again, thank you for your suggestions, item now made and the screw removed. I will save the tool though, it might be needed again

Brian

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Jason

Who supplies this longer security bit sets? I have a regular occasional job that would be much easier with a longer set instead of the "creative" way I extend my short ones.

Clive.

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Here as well

**LINK**

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Am I alone in thinking these so-called security screws are an attempt by manufacturers to stop you mending things? When my electric fan fire got so full of dog hair that it was fire risk I had to resort to drill off the screw heads to get inside and clean it out. Replaced the screws with ordinary heads when I put it back together.

[Keith LongParticipant @keithlong89920]

I'm with you on that Duncan, my take is that it stops you repairing it so you (in theory) have to buy a new one. What I don't get, is that on at least 2 pieces of equipment that I've seen there are only a couple of the "security" type screws and the rest are normal pozidriv / phillips. Why use 2 different types needing different tooling to make them as well, might as well use all security type. In the million off quantities that they equipment manufacturers buy them in there can't be any significant difference in price.

Having recently seen the inside of a fan heater that had these security screws, my other thought is that it stops you taking things apart so that you can't see just how shoddily the equipment is made! You're left having to guess from the shiny outside if there is any quality inside.

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