The Mysterious,Top Secret Microwave Oven Tool?

I'm talking microwave oven. Sorry for the oversight.

Just more irritating tamper proof screws I'm afraid .

Only courses of action.

1. Buy the propper (probably unobtainable)tool.

2. Modify a tool to fit (e.g. by drilling a hole up the centre).

3. Reach for the angle grinder

Agreed Del.

It's a Torx screw, but needing a special key with a hole in the middle. It wouldn't be easy to drill the key, I expect they're made of pretty hard alloy or they'd soon wear out.

I had a similar problem with a bread maker. I was able to saw a slot in the screw head with a hacksaw, but depending on the shape of the microwave this might not be an option for Guest.

Cheers....Codey

Yeh ... no wonder they have special screws, those bread makers can be lethal ... they contain...errrr. bread?

(Just to avoid any misunderstanding, that was sarcasm folks! I don't really think there is much danger in a bread maker)

.....not if "you use your Loaf!!"

Is it anything link this? It's called a Resis-Torx-BO (I think).

Here's a link to a datasheet for the tools - you can get them from RS Components

With the use of a carefully sized flat screwdriver, these can be removed! If not, and the warrente is past, break the pin and use a flat screwdriver! I don't know of a screw that can't be undone with either a screw driver or molegrips! With the right tools, nothing is impossible!

Ha ha. I can't get the tip of a pointed screwdriver in the screw head; how am I gonna get chisel or dikes in there, to cut off the pin.

With the right tool? Gee, I thought that was why I came here!

Sift the wheat from the chaff! You have all the answers you need, and more! I also said a suitably sized screwdriver! It's not my fault that your screwdrivers are to big!

Anyway, good luck opening the micro and be careful what you touch, ie, the magnatron or whatever it's called!

Your info was gold, thanks

Still only about $4 for a set of seven from T8 to T30 at CPC:-

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/Tools,+Storage+&+Handling/Hex+Bits/UNBRANDED/21-3241/displayProduct.jsp?sku=TL01632&_requestid=269403

There must be similar sellers across the world

John, yes, that could be it...either a view of the screw or of the screwdriver. Thanks, and I'll check the link.

Cheaper here:

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/Tools,+Storage+&+Handling/Hex+Bits/UNBRANDED/21-3241/displayProduct.jsp?sku=TL01632&_requestid=269403

In some areas the screw is called "Security Torx".

Designed to keep the unskilled from the lethal voltages/currents inside a microwave oven control compartment.

The magnetron requires a supply of some 2500 volts DC at 300 milliamps, from a large step-up transformer and diode assembly with split discharge resistors across the high voltage capacitor - sometimes one or more of those "bleed" resistors fail, leaving high voltage charge present in the unplugged microwave oven electrical compartment.

One touch of that and your family is out buying a one-way wooden overcoat for you, along with a burial plot in the local cemetery.

There is also the presence of mains voltages - also lethal .

If you are not absolutely certain what you are doing, leave the microwave oven inspection/repair to someone qualified.....

Well said sparky,you may have saved someones life, I like your fearsome flashing signs,hope they sur would scare me off.

I've never understood why it's possible to release such a lethal bit of gear on the gen public.I'veworked on equipment up to 2000kV testing power line stuff,yes two million volts,500kW radar,6.6kV drives but never had such a fright and belt as off an attempted microwave repair,which in addition generated a piece of shrapnel which broke a wall tile.Got the RF belt up through the brush handle I fortunately used to operate the 'faulty' microswitch.They should put all the parts in a welded steel case.

Sometimes its difficult to judge when to say dont mess with that,but in this case , to paraphrase a popular catchphrase,'If I told you, you would probably kill yourself'.

"I've never understood why it's possible to release such a lethal bit of gear on the gen public"

While I agree 100% with that (and maybe I was a bit precipitate in indicating a source for the tool which could lead to a fatality), the "Lethal Bit of Gear" which amazes me is the car/automobile. Pick just about any Safety standard for machinery & apply it to these vehicles, and they couldn't even be left locked up and clamped - without the battery connected & with an empty fuel tank - at the roadside. Talk about double standards!

I've done work on my older, but very large microwave once before, had to replace the magnetron, funny it didn't have the torx bit screws, tho I do have the tools to remove all types of funny looking security type screws.

With a name like "Sparky", I suspect you have had some experiences like those mentioned.

My Letterbox is made from a disused micro wave. I was lucky that a sparky friend of mine was present when I tried to get all the "heavy parts" out. I could have bloody killed myself not knowing that those screws are there for a very good reason. He discharged ( I hope that is the right word) it and all was good.

Gosh we can be idiots some times. Letterbox works like a charm since years. No wet or crumbled mail.

Very much needed reply sparkstation. Thanks. Ky.

Excellent post Sparkstation. If Guest does get the jacket off the thing, shorting out the capacitor would be a good first move (preferably not with own fingers). They can give a mighty good 'crack' when this is done, even if not used for some considerable time. Some ovens (I'm told) have a second capacitor hidden away - ya don't want to get caught by that. Those awkward fixings are there for a reason. Even if you get into the thing, buying a replacement capacitor will probably cost you more than the trouble. It may simply be a line fuse that is hidden in some ovens or just a TOC (Thermal Overload Cut-out) which could be cheap to fix. It depends on the cost of you appliance. Think real careful before you open the puppy up Guest. As Sparkstation has pointed out, the danger here is voltage, not radiation etc. You can pick up a microwave oven for as little as 30 GBP these days. Cheaper than a funeral. Take care, and good luck.

Most industrial supply houses will have tamper resistant screw drivers.

www.mcmaster.com

To everyone, thanks so much for all the helpful info. I'll check it all and keep it all in mind....let you know later how it turns out or if more help needed. Thanks again.

The screws are probably a tamper-proof TORX drive. Harbor Freight sells a kit that has drivers for most of the tamper resistant fasteners. The microwave oven should come aart easily enough.

I Germany you can buy kits of bits (I have one) that has at least 20 different "strange" tools for such screws, including cross head (phillips or Pozidrive) similar screwdriver bits that only have 3 arms instead of 4....and they are at 120° to each other not 90°

There are some screws that are designed only to be tightened and never removed, some of these can be easily removed with a special tool that you normally use to remove cross headed screws where the screw has been badly damaged and you cannot get a grip anymore with the proper screwdriver (for people who do not know what the electric screwdriver torque adjustment is for!!)

Sometimes you just need to drill the head of stuck screw out with a good hard high quality drill bit, slow revs and a little oil.....the shaft you can use a wrench on later...once the thing is apart.

BUT, if you are not familiar with the technology inside the object, then do not do it as there are possible hidden dangers as someone else mentioned.....

The screws will be Torx Tamperproof and you will probably find the correct tools in your local engineering supply shop. Kamasa-Tools do a wrench set (Stock No SP1213) which gives combined plain and Tamperproof wrenches in 9 sizes.

BEWARE ..... The screws are tamperproof for a very good reason - as Sparkstation wisely pointed out, microwave ovens are very dangerous and are treated as such by all experienced maintainers; they should not be opened unless you know what you are doing. Even if you complete whatever you are going in to repair safely are you sure that the oven will continue to operate safely when your family are using it. The microwave radiation if it leaks out can cause blindness after a few seconds exposure, (eyballs go like boiled eggs).

Weigh up the cost of buying the tool set and time spent against the peace of mind from a professional repair or even replacement! Usually when they fail its time to get a new one.

Take care.

Well put.

Also Microwave ovens are almost a "Throwaway" article today.....

That pin in the center is for the purpose of security. It requires a special tool, made by the same company that patented the security screw. Secure Mount in Jackson, MI uses this fastener with their bio-med equipment. I do not have their Phone #, but go to securemount.com for that info.

bits are at harbor freight. USE CAUTION when troubleshooting!

When you encounter a fastner with a non standard head configuration, a tool for it's removal is easily made. Take a rod of rigid plastic. Melt the end with a cigarette lighter. Press the melted end into the fastner head. Hold until plastic solidifies. Viola! Custom tool, sized to the task at hand.

Time to break out the Dremel and grind the center pin out!

Pay attention to the above warnings

D.

Drilling out or whatever the center pin invaribly results in damaging the TORX head.

Otherwise (finally) said, the screw head is a Tamperproof TORX, probably a #7, 8, 9, or 10. Harbor Freight has them, and some ACE Hardware stores. Some automotive supply stores (Auto Zone) have them but often don't have the smaller sizes that you need.

Safety precautions = YES. I concur.

I don't know why anyone would want to open a magnatron unless curious about what's inside. Not working? It's not repairable, other than replacing the assembly. Better yet, replace the oven.

Just go down to checker auto and buy a set of them, i did.

Try these guys, I've used them before. They are very helpful and seem to have everything.

http://www.hudsonfasteners.com/security.htm?gclid=COHb8omKjZACFQlzHgodzAfpog

A digital picture of the fastener head sent to them will help too.

BTW, the posters saying watch out for nasty voltages and shocks are accurate. A microwave isn't a good place to poke an unwary bit of metal.

It's rather quiet from our original enquirer,is there any possibility that her survivors might sue us? Should never have showed them the wheel.

That was close oldeng!

The forum accepts no responsibility for any duff advice that may lead to singed hair or missing eyebrows! Nor any other form of injury incurred while trying to perform any of the above solutions! If in doubt, contact somebody else!

The Management

A good reason to be careful with what information is freely given.

You don't want a clutch (lovely descriptive word for several Lawyers), of high-powered Lawyers, a'knockin' at your door, with a demand for $$$Millions, because their client, or deceased client, wants to be compensated, after taking your advice, and acting on it.....

Sparkstation

I am not aware of any statute or legal precedence for compensating someone damaged by free advise; it's hard enough even with paid-for (so called, professional) advise. But, let me know if you have...because I'm owed big time.

CWG

Sorry, I got unavoidably preoccupied. Let me try to answer all; and thank you to all for the suggestions, advise, and cautions. Fortunately for oldeng and his ilk, there are no survivors...yet or in the future--only devisees and totten trust beneficiaries. So you are all safe.

On the safety issue, first let me say that, because this is a fairly recently purchased oven--but it's probably just beyond warranty--my wish to open it up is predicated on needing to choose what to do next: repair or replace; and, possibly, press the manufacturer for settlement for the unused portion (typically about 5-10 years) of the machine's design life cycle. Since I witnessed the failure (effects) but don't know the failure mode I will be seeking first only to inspect the inside, particularly tracing from where the smoke emanated at time of failure. Where there is smoke, there is usually charring (and the food was not charred); if I see damage I will be in better position to determine if it is something I want to, or should try to, repair. For example, if it's only a main fuse, replacing would be much cheaper than total replacement--and the oven will have been restored to pre-fail conditions. If a major component, or electronics, is ruined, then replacing oven and hoping for better luck with a different brand--because I hate rewarding mfg ineptitude--is the more feasible option. Naturally I'll watch what I touch--if I touch--discharge capacitor, and so forth. I've also found some repair how-to guidelines on the Web that will guide my inspection efforts and troubleshooting/repair if it comes to that.

Bottom line (sorry for the cliche): if I'm going to be forced to re-buy my new oven, I want to do so with eyes open, not by "default" which is not my own.

Call me CWG (Cooking with Gas)

Hello CWG,

Please note the internal fuses are very special, and for safety if they are 'blown", you need the manufacturer's part numbered special fuse as a replacement.

This is for stringent safety reasons.

If your Microwave oven is of recent manufacture, it is probably "made in China", whatever the brand or label.

These ovens often stop working properly, around the time the warranty expires (1 year).

Take it back to your supplier, even if a few months out of warranty, and ask for a full replacement.

If you have "opened" or "Fiddled" with the inner "works", the replacement may be declined.

By the way, I trust that somebody did not have a metal object in the oven, and turn it on. The magnetron does not often survive the overload.....

Good advice on all counts!

I'm surprised no one's mentioned McMaster-Carr yet - www.mcmaster.com. Love them for all kinds of oddball tools as well as un-oddball ones. My grandma had a similar problem with her iron - the button got trapped under the casing and it was secured by a tri-wing screw. Nutso for a $15 item. I ordered her the right bit from McMaster and she fixed it easy peasy. Check 'em out and see if they have YOUR funky screw bit.

Post #7?

Okay, I hadn't my morning caffeine yet .

"No user-serviceable parts inside."

Beware removing the wrappers of a microwave oven, and before energising it after reassembly, it would be prudent to discuss the situation with one's loved ones and one's life assurance company.

These fasteners are there for a reason, i.e. to prevent the untrained used from getting in.

These devices are so inexpensive these days it might be worth buying a replacement one instead.

do some research and find a source for REAL TOOLS these are not a brand name it actually describes what is available beyongd the local hardware or big box chain stores.

if you are willing to risk the radiation seals being broken on the microwave oven's doors you may find them reffered in several trades as snake eye screwdrivers. they are also more technically refered to as dual tipped anti theft screw tipped removal screwdrivers.