Tamper-proof screw

Ahhh, Tamper proof torx---or torx pin head?

I finally bought a set--I got tired of drilling holes in the center of regular torx driver bits.

HARUMPH!

I searched and gave up---I can't find them.

Hi Kilgore,

A Little trick with your tamper proof screws if you dont have the correct driver is to drive a small hardened center punch [I use 1/4" explosive driven concreat bolts these are just the right shape, use hammer not explosive] into the space between the center pin and the side of the socket then drive into the opposite side, the pin usually breaks off most times.

Garth

Hello Kilgore Trout,

Can you tell me what country you are in please? I have done a search and believe the undoing-screwy thingamabob is on sale most places. I can drop you a line if you still need or want a set to undo the torx screws?

This is just one small tool that I would imagine is for infrequent use. But there is lots of other. Depends how much you want to spend really.

Take care...........

Hey Babybear--U.S. and I appreciate the offer, friend.

I have a cheap index similar to that one for those tamper-proof torx.

I talked to the Snap-on guy Friday and gave him a description of the problem screw and he hasn't heard of it --YET. I think he has something I haven't seen.

Alas--here is another place I am no help.

it's just God's way of telling you that you just don't have enough tools.

http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_9680.htm

http://www.tooltopia.com/ Search SK 84231

I believe what you have is an emission control. The manufacturer can not allow you to change the mixture settings on your chain saw. You might be able to get a reasonable grip on it with the reverse of a torx driver, a torx socket. Even if you can grip the screw, the range of adjustment may not be as wide as you remembered. Good luck.

That may be the case since the "H" needs, IMHO, to be richer. Do chainsaws have emission controls now?

They do if sold in the state of California. If you can show us what the screw looks like I'm sure the readers will be able to ID it, and offer some suggestions. Good luck.

Another thing that I am starting to see on some small 2 cycle engines we have is designed lean out to limit RPM. The K12 saws we used to by would respond to the H screw from too lean, and lower RPM to to the highest speed available, all the way to too rich so that it again slowed down. The current saws will run slower if held wide open and turned in. But when turned out, it will pick up some speed, but never reach a point that seems correct, and never will it slow down from screwing it out. Try to take a little more on the low speed screw. It will help a little on high speeds. Not a lot. But if your results follow what I have tried to explain, You may not be able to reach the mixture you desire. Good luck.

These fasteners are used as a security device. Recently, my plant was cited by OSHA for not having adequate emergency lighting. New unit's were ordered, and came through with this type screw holding them together. The manufacturer supplied the special screwdriver. The inclosed literature indicated these fasteners are used to help prevent theft of the 12 volt battery inside. Like that's going to slow down a determined thief.

Forget the batteries, He is going for the whole things now!

Wangito.

Yep! That's how my Poulan saw is fitted. (Thanks now I understand why it's named as it is)

My firrst attempt to adjust these knurled cone head screws was to use a thin walled brass tube. Worked okay for a few times but soon stripped the impressed knurls in tube. I never did find a stif rubber tube that would push fit over the screws and stil grip enough to make the adjustment.\

Ended up slotting the screws using a small Dremel tool fitted with the 0.010" thin diamond blade.

Since I live a long ways from California I'm not too worried about CARB compliance. We adjusted the carb to run better and start faster. Guess I could rename the saw a Pulonce instead of a Pull..an . . . )pul and pul

The combination of 50:1 oil mix and lean running seem to be detrimental to longevity. So I am now running 30:1 oil/gas mix. It starts easier even at -20F and cuts faster. Mind you, the learning curve to get the saw blades absolutely tuned and cutting perfectly took some time.

if theheadof thescrews has a taper that comes down from the top like the reverse of a flared copper pipe / tube fitting in reverse or something like the a flare is made for the tower of older type 6 volt ignition coils the screw heads you are facing are a throwback to one type of fsaterner used in military aircraft and vehicle production lines.

as you point out these a rea bear to move but there is by experience two ways to do it, california laws by the way do not apply up there

1 if you can cet alicing cutter blade for a dremel tool from a jewer simply slice into the edge a bit at a time cut a slot in the top of the head these screws are parkerized so take it easy when you use the slitting blade. it doesnt take much pressure on the wheel to cut a groove so you will be able to use a slot heat on it for adjusting the carb

2 if they are what i think they are you might try using a # 2centring bit for a lathe to start a small internal bell mouth taper then carefully dill it out to just under the top o.d. of the screws flared head in a piece of 1/2" alloyed bronze rod stock. take the other end drill a hole for a cross tee bar and turn thescrew in either + or- for the trhottle speed of the engine. this worked well with the dashboard mounting scews as they were fitted in some armoured vehicles.

by the way where did you get one of those was from they had a limited run becausae as far as i know the dealers never were able to get thier hands on the screwdrivers they needed to reset the carbs after servicing them, that is if power products made carb repair kits available to them for the series of saws they sold to sears.

have fun with that one.

''da ber

Greetings TVP45

It looks like you have to invest in a set of "security bits" from your local tool store. My set has approx. 30 bits of different configurations. I needed a security bit last year to open up a coffee pot, I guess they do not want the home handyman to get electocuted or ????

Cheers :-) Gary

Your local NAPA store has what you`re looking for, for a couple of bucks. It`s easy and you can use them for other projects, as they are becoming more common (coffeepots).

My advise is to go to Sears tool department and pick up the tool you need.

The worst "tamper prof bolt I ever found was on a Nespresso coffee maker My wife bought From my nephue's company. The damn thing would not work. They sent me another one that was fine. BUT the new non working coffee maker was to much to resist. But in order to take it apart I had to remove the screws. These were tiny short, tiny shorter, ans tiny very f----- short screws. They were metric of coures. And the heads were male ovels. Sort of like a 12 point male capscrew, but with an oval instead. I have never seen these screws anywhere before. I did fix the coffee maker, (clog of plastic in the water pump) and gave it to another nephue.Is that a common security fastener in Europe?

"Is that a common security fastener in Europe?"

Not in this bit - I've never seen 'em (or heard of 'em).

Ok. I finally removed two from the new coffee maker. Below is a close up picture of two screws. The difference between the narrow, and wide areas of the ovel section of the screw is only .023". Has anyone ever seen these before?

Tamper-proofs are not. If you are inquisitive enough, and have a Wal-mart, Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, or Bi-Mart store in your neck of the woods, there are small 1/4" drive bits that have a wide variety of tips. They are usually available for about 10-15 bucks, and are usually pretty sturdy. If, you have the inclination to remove any plastic capped obstructions, like those on some automotive carbs, you will find a standard screwdriver will handle the adjustment issues.

Probably not what the group would like to see mentioned, but when ya gotta maks some changes, ya gotta dig in and make stuff happen.

Have a great thanksgiving,....and good luck.

You might check out one of these sets. I have a couple of different sets of "Security Bits" and they can get me into most things. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91310

This one has more different designs than most others I have looked at and for $10.00 plus shipping, it isn't very expensive.

Same thing for less:-

http://www.bostonindustrial.net/100-Piece-Security-Bit-Set/M/B0011282T2.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle-GB&id=uk

But, I can't find shipping costs anywhere on the site (especially to the UK)!

Hummmm: shipping looks very reasonable but I can't get past the screen where you're supposed to choose a shipping speed (nothing to click on).

I was going to recommend Harbor Freight too. Do they have them in PA?

Bill

I checked... something like 18 stores in PA.

Yep, went by one this afternoon. They had about 4 different sets but none like I needed. Anyway, they do have the ones you need in order to steal bathroom stalls (Has anyone ever stolen one of those? Why do they use tamper-proof screws? Would you hide it under your shirt as you strolled out?)

Why are the instructions at the drive through lane at the bank in BRAILLE?

Bob, the answer drive through braile terminal legend is here below:

"Design choices made to satisfy government edicts seldom make for the most cost effective and convenient products. They do tend to help avoid the court system and the ire of random bureaucrats.--TT3"

The exact City escapes me now, but I think it was Jacksonville Fl.

They were rebuilding a series of fire stations. Seven seems the number I remember. They were all built for ADA compliance. Including elevators for the firefighters with handicaps.The city decided it was cheaper to build the stations with the elevators, than to get seven variances to do without them. Are you prepared for someone putting out a fire in a building while in a wheelchair?

If the world were a logical place, men would be the ones who ride side saddle.

Don't laugh. We had a engineer here in Pittsburgh who lived in West Virginia (about 60 miles away). He was legally blind (limited sight, but entitled to have a handicapped parking spot and use a white cane) but he somehow had a valid WV driver's license. People used to stare when they'd see him pull into the hp spot, get out, shake out the cane, and walk up the street!

Why do we park in the driveway, and drive on the parkway?

Hey, thanks to everyone who replied. Especially Bob C for using the phrase "emission control" and Turbotroll3 for pointing out the neat Harbor Freight set. Using Poulan emission control, I was able to find a lot of info. That's what they're for, specifically for California. Apparently the company (and others) went to a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Poulan distributors will sell them to authorized repair shops. Apparently, in a pinch, you can use a blue butt crimp connector (what is that, 14-18 gauge?) and epoxy that onto a small phillips screwdriver. Who the heck thought this was a good idea? Anyway, I'm OK now I think. CR4 came through as always.

Design choices made to satisfy government edicts seldom make for the most cost effective and convenient products. They do tend to help avoid the court system and the ire of random bureaucrats.

Good info on using the crimp connector as an adapter. I will have to try that. I don't live in California either. ;-)

Pencil me in for a rant against tamperproof screws and the muppets who design them in.
I can't be bothered at the mo' but I'm sure you guys can make it up your-selves.

A very small socket or tubular spanner might push/hammer over it enough to bite in?

Del

Hmmm. $31

http://cgi.ebay.com/HOMELITE-&-POULAN-CARBURETOR-ADJUSTING-SCREW-SET-OF-4_W0QQitemZ380078518633QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20081104?IMSfp=TL081104114010r22544

"The factory has started putting on special screws for adjustments, these will work on all models with special screws, from poulan, weedeater, craftsman, and many more!"

Hello Randall:

Is that what you wanted them for, to adjust carbs? Sounds kinda pricey.

Not me, I was just interested in the general purpose 100 piece security bit set, which someone else mentioned (but which doesn't include the special carb. adjust drivers). I got a super cheap set in the UK which included a 6V (4 by AA) screwdriver.

I just thought I'd point to the carb. adjust ones for anyone else interested (there must be cheaper sources).

Hello Randall:,

Sorry, I am getting confused in my old age!

Take care..............

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http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_9500.htm Use search for larger sizes

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