Where to get special tool to undo light fitting screw?

EalingBadger · Mar 24, 2018

westward10 said:
There was it came came with light fittings which had them. I have one in my van but not digging it out tonight.

That's what I figured, but I can't identify the fittings so the option of following things up with the manufacturer is currently not available.

No doubt the original sparks that did the installation just disposed of them. They certainly didn't hand any over to the vicar anyway.

EalingBadger · Mar 24, 2018

Gavin John Hyde said:
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

If I can't source a tool what I will probably do is to deliver a packet of pozidriv screws to replace the existing ones. That way at least the current ones will only have to be removed one final time. (And yes, I do of course realise that the caretaker is at risk of losing any special tool, but it just seems more elegant to provide the proper device somehow.)

EalingBadger · Mar 24, 2018

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

Yes, but since the caretaker is not a qualified electrician he is not qualified to use one of these on an electrical installation (only on plumbing).

Rpa07 · Mar 24, 2018

Flanders said:
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 .

Crumbs Flanders, sounds like the kind of trick you picked up in the clink! Is there a story behind this?

The Ghost · Mar 24, 2018

Sooooo how did you get that one out then?

haptism · Mar 24, 2018

Theres some in this set that might fit, theones with prongs are called spanner head screws/spanner tip, or something like that

33pcs Security Bit Set Screwdriver Tool Holder Torx Star Hex Tamperproof Spanner | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/33pcs-Security-Bit-Set-Screwdriver-Tool-Holder-Torx-Star-Hex-Tamperproof-Spanner/1562874027?iid=361982558886

chris murphy · Mar 24, 2018

Hello EalingBadger,

Screwfix and Toolstation sell `Security Screwdriver bits` sets which have a couple of `U Tip` bits but I think that they would be too small to fit the screws that You showed in the photo ?

You will probably need a larger version of those `U Tip` bits - or as Members have already mentioned make a tool from a flat blade screwdriver by slotting it.

Here is a link to a set at Toolstation:

Security Screwdriver Bit Set 75mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tool+Accessories/d80/Bit+Sets/sd650/Security+Screwdriver+Bit+Set+75mm/p37470

I tried to attach a JPEG picture of the set but I got a Forum Error message.

EDIT: Member haptism beat me to it with a link to a similar set.

Regards,

Chris

Pete E · Mar 25, 2018

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

Why is that a bodge? In certain engineering trades, being able to make turnscrews and other similar tools was part of the training.

I can understand you not wanting to spend "a lot" of time making the correct fitting driver, but I suspect you have spent longer asking about it on here than it would actually take to make!!

Given you have a screw to work from, ten minutes with a Dermal and a couple of needle files should produce something that is very professional looking...

EalingBadger · Mar 25, 2018

Vortigern said:
Sooooo how did you get that one out then?

With long-nosed pliers.

A tedious exercise at the best of times and one which carries with it the good chance of nadgering the screwhead for next time.

snowhead · Mar 25, 2018

The original tool will just be a stamped piece of sheet metal much like Mk fish keys are.
A pain to use on multiple screws.

You're better off with a modified screwdriver as people keep suggesting.

EalingBadger · Mar 25, 2018

Pete E said:
Why is that a bodge? In certain engineering trades, being able to make turnscrews and other similar tools was part of the training.

I can understand you not wanting to spend "a lot" of time making the correct fitting driver, but I suspect you have spent longer asking about it on here than it would actually take to make!!

Given you have a screw to work from, ten minutes with a Dermal and a couple of needle files should produce something that is very professional looking...

All agreed - the exercise is rapidly approaching the point where repairing to the workshop and wielding the angle grinder may be the only way forward.

The thing is, half the time anything I hit with a grinder does end up looking rather like a bit of a dog's dinner - hence why my preference was for the real tool if at all possible. I'm sure the church couldn't give two hoots what any tool might end up looking like (but I have my professional pride...)

EalingBadger · Mar 25, 2018

snowhead said:
The original tool will just be a stamped piece of sheet metal much like Mk fish keys are.
A pain to use on multiple screws.

You're better off with a modified screwdriver as people keep suggesting.

Okay, okay, I give in.

Off to the grinder I go.

snowhead · Mar 25, 2018

Don't rush off I've found one;

N14 Security Screwdriver for Notched Security Screws | SSP Direct - https://www.securitysafetyproducts.co.uk/security/security-screws-fixings/n14-security-screwdriver-for-notched-security-screws.php

£20.40, bargain.

rsgaz · Mar 25, 2018

I think you want a size 16 for that...

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

westward10 · Mar 25, 2018

This is the quality key for those screws.

Where to get special tool to undo light fitting screw?

EalingBadger

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EalingBadger

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EalingBadger

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Rpa07

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The Ghost

haptism

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chris murphy

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Pete E

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EalingBadger

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snowhead

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EalingBadger

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EalingBadger

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snowhead

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rsgaz

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westward10

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