Where to get special tool to undo light fitting screw?

EalingBadger · Mar 24, 2018

The pictures are of a type of anti-tamper cover retaining screw (M5 x 60mm) that is fitted as standard to a whole slew of lamp fitting in a local church complex.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Where to get special tool to undo light fitting screw?

None of the bulbs have ever been changed since the place underwent a major refurb 20 years ago and all the new stuff was installed.

Of course, nobody bothered to leave them a key at the time, so none of the several dozen bulbs have ever been changed and they are now all long since blown.

Before I supply them with a bag of new (standard Pozidriv) screws and explain to their caretaker how to use a pair of long-nosed pliers to undo the existing screws and swap them over can anybody help with a source for the special tool required please, as this would obviously be the better solution even though none of the fittings are located such that they need the anti-tamper functionality because they are all effectively inside the building anyway?

One other detail - the heads on the existing screws are slightly larger than a standard M5 at 12mm diameter.

telectrix · Mar 24, 2018

make one ou tof a bit of 10mm x 1.0mm steel. hacksaw or angle grind a slot

littlespark · Mar 24, 2018

Find an old screwdriver the right width and use a grinder to cut a section out the middle. Once all the screw have been replaced with standard pozi, chuck your new 'tool' away

telectrix · Mar 24, 2018

littlespark said:
Find an old screwdriver the right width and use a grinder to cut a section out the middle. Once all the screw have been replaced with standard pozi, chuck your new 'tool' away

badd bad bad. replace screws with the same ones. he's got the tool, they haven't. repeat callouts .. kerching.

EalingBadger · Mar 24, 2018

telectrix said:
make one ou tof a bit of 10mm x 1.0mm steel. hacksaw or angle grind a slot

The obvious option of bodging it with a grinder is what I am trying to avoid if at all possible.

I would very much prefer to source the original tool for them if at all possible.

Gavin John Hyde · Mar 24, 2018

I have used spanner head hex bits for them in the past. admittedly it only works on 2 grooves not the four, but is no different to using a flat head screwdriver on a pozi screw. you need something like these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yato-professional-security-screwdriver-spanner/dp/B00EJD1CCY

If not toolstation do a set for around a fiver with some in that maybe fit the screws.

telectrix · Mar 24, 2018

Gavin John Hyde said:
I have used spanner head hex bits for them in the past. admittedly it only works on 2 grooves not the four, but is no different to using a flat head screwdriver on a pozi screw. you need something like these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yato-professional-security-screwdriver-spanner/dp/B00EJD1CCY

If not toolstation do a set for around a fiver with some in that maybe fit the screws.

that's the type oftool he needs, but from hispost, the heads are a lot wider. that' makes littlespark's post the winner. a 1/2" blade of an old driver with a slot ground out.

Strima · Mar 24, 2018

A set like this has got me out of the poo more than once: https://www.amazon.co.uk/PIECE-Vana...757&sr=1-14&keywords=security+screwdriver+set

telectrix · Mar 24, 2018

and this has done me proud on occasion, sometimes in conjunction with a fatmax chisel or screwdriver.:

EalingBadger · Mar 24, 2018

Gavin John Hyde said:
I have used spanner head hex bits for them in the past. admittedly it only works on 2 grooves not the four, but is no different to using a flat head screwdriver on a pozi screw. you need something like these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yato-professional-security-screwdriver-spanner/dp/B00EJD1CCY

If not toolstation do a set for around a fiver with some in that maybe fit the screws.

Yep, that's another option that I've considered, but surely there must have been a specific tool available originally?

The screw head is quite wide for the type of driver you mention. In fact, considering that they are 1/4" hex drive and the actual shaft of the tool is somewhat smaller than that they are guaranteed not to be suitable for the particular screw concerned.

This is a charitable exercise on my part. I'm not getting paid for this so I am just trying to go for the easiest option that doesn't involve me spending time (measuring and grinding / or otherwise testing existing tooling for size and fit) and that, ideally, means just having them purchase something that is guaranteed the right size and ready to go.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. keep 'em coming. Hopefully somebody out there will yet come up trumps with a source for the original tool.

westward10 · Mar 24, 2018

There was it came came with light fittings which had them. I have one in my van but not digging it out tonight.

Adam W · Mar 24, 2018

I agree - fashion a temporary tool from a bit of steel or old screwdriver then replace them. By the sound of it there's nothing to be gained by keeping the security screws.
Thorn used to put a funny little triangular-headed screw on some of their light fittings, which became a relatively common tool, but I've never seen this kind.

You could try contacting the manufacturer.

Flanders · Mar 24, 2018

Heat up the end of a tooth brush and push it over the screw let it cool down and you have made a tool to fit, you can get security screw bit sets with a large variety of bits in them , not sure if any of them would fit .

Adam W · Mar 24, 2018

Or a small pair of needle-nosed pliers.

Gavin John Hyde · Mar 24, 2018

given the size then, why not just use a bolt extraction tool and then replace with proper bolts with a normal head on them? Saves all this aggro when they are removed next time

Where to get special tool to undo light fitting screw?

EalingBadger

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telectrix

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littlespark

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telectrix

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EalingBadger

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Gavin John Hyde

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telectrix

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Strima

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telectrix

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EalingBadger

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westward10

Adam W

Flanders

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Adam W

Gavin John Hyde

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