Braun 2050 jug blender / Proprietary TORX bit???

[13hm13]

I have a Braun PowerBlend blender MX2050 (purch'd 2006 , but with very low use-minutes). It seems that its motor may have burned out .... happened all-of-a-sudden .... smelled something burning and motor speed slowed WAY down. Still spins but slowly.
Any guesses to what may have happened are invited!!

Stopped using immediately to prevent "further damage" 

On that note .... you know what they say of the EEVBlog forum ...
"Don't turn it on ... take it apart!!!!!!!!!!!"
Easier said than done 
 I may be able to repair the Braun if I can get inside the damn thing!!!
Braun REALLY does not want anyone to open this device!!! The access holes (wells) -- with bolts -- are about  5-inches deep (!!!) and there are three of them holding the blender together -- see photos. But worst of all, Braun seems to use some sort of  proprietary TORX bit. I have sizable (but by no means complete) set of TORX bits including security bits (they have hole in the bit for the pin in the bolt).
None in my toolkit fit 

Anyone have experience with Braun small appliances? Will I have to drill it out the bolts?

Photos below...









Refs:
(I have USA 120 vac model)

https://www.braunhousehold.com/nordic/all-products/food-preparation/blenders/powerblend-blender-mx2050-0x81260804
https://www.220-electronics.com/braun-powermax-mx2050-blender.html
Manual: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/538033/Braun-Powerblend-Mx-2050.html

[oPossum]

Looks like a security hex (Allen) key.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives#Security_hex

[Zero999]

They're most likely to be tamper proof Torx.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torx#Variants

[amyk]

Yes, security hex.

It can easily be driven with a suitable flat-bladed screwdriver, placed thus:

[13hm13]

It's definitely something proprietary as I've just had access to a very complete Wiha security TORX set and NONE fit.
And NO ... there is not clearance for a flatblade!! Don't let my photos fool you .... it is a very small head ... maybe 3-4 mm total for that TORX hole and much of it occupied by that FAT non-std center pin.
Weird "strategy" for Braun. Is this some sort of anti-reverse engineering method ... planned obsolesce ... etc.?

[amyk]

There are tiny flatblade screwdrivers too...

My guess is more towards anti-repair/planned obolescence than anti-RE - if you're trying to take the product apart to analyse and clone it, a few odd screws are not going to stop you.

[highpower]

Looks like a security hex (Allen) key.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives#Security_hex

Looks like it to me as well.

[coromonadalix]

yep  torx  security screws   But never heard of  custom made one's for a company ??   but it could be possible to dether people ... and planned obsolescence indeed.

I have 3 inch long Dewalt torx sets, haven't found one resisting them ??

[Zero999]

Looks like a security hex (Allen) key.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives#Security_hex

Looks like it to me as well.

More likely Torx. Hex has straight edges, whilst they appear to be slightly curved, according to the photograph.

[highpower]

More likely Torx. Hex has straight edges, whilst they appear to be slightly curved, according to the photograph.

Right. Slightly curved - not a definite radiused star pattern. I imagine if I hammered a torx driver into a hex socket screw it would look somewhat like that photo as well. A clear photo of an unmolested screw head would prove much more useful to all of us I'm sure.

[perieanuo]

hi,
when i was less rich i used flat screwdrivers, the plastic 'washer' won't oppose much
if hurry, that plastic is not rocket-shell, it can be destroyed with care. recycle those screws it's futile anyway

[Alti]

I think you need a dedicated tool.
Take a steel paperclip with diameter that tightly fits in the cavity of the head and then solder six of them on a rod. If you have similar torx bolt then you could use this as an alignment.

At least next time wheny you buy an appliance, you won't forget checking screw heads.

[Gyro]

Sets of screwdriver bits with both security Hex and security Torx bits (together with all of the other 'normal' security types) are cheaply available on both ebay and (dare I say it?) Amazon. Make sure you look for sets with long enough shanks to reach down to the bottom of deep holes in plastic mouldings. It's far easier to have a range of sizes to hand rather than trying to measure and obtain single bits.

These types of bits tend to be inherently fairly strong, even if not of the highest quality, and not really an issue with screws into plastic anyway.

If you accidentally bend the centre pin of the screw head by flat blade or other methods, you either have to try to bend it back or snap it off before you can use any kind of bit on it. It wastes more time and causes frustration than it's worth. Just use it as an excuse to get a bit set for future avoidance of hassle.


EDIT: Sorry I've just seen your reply #4. If it's not security Torx or security Hex (you presumably tried both) then I've no idea what it could be.

[13hm13]

Hey folks ... TS here ... found a VERY similar (but cheaper) Oster (brand) blender in the dump. It works fine and it has chassis very similar to the Braun, but uses Phillips screws.
came apart very easily.
Weird DC motor inside.
Still planning on NON-DESTRUCTIVELY tearing the Braun apart.
Currently using a Kitchen-Aid (high end) blender for smoothies, etc. It's quite  abit pricier than the Braun but that Braun had a nicer overall design (style and ergonomics) .... and especially when it comes to clean-up and ease of use. Braun is bit like Apple Computer Co. in that regard.

[AlfBaz]

Will I have to drill it out the bolts?

I would not have given it a second thought

[istovit]

those mini screwdriver sets that are ribbed metal work fine. fine one that locks in place and
turn it with pliers,then throw it (the screw) away.