Security bits

[Zucca]

I am sick and tired to be stopped by fancy screws in my repairs, what security bits kits do you guys have or suggests?

You know what I mean...

[Ian.M]

That depends what you are repairing.  Also, most security bits aren't much use when the screw in question is down a 10cm hole barely bigger than the head diameter.  Even identifying the bit type it needs can be a royal PITA, requiring soft wax on the end of a dowel to try to get an impression of it.

As a minimum, I would expect any competent general electronic repair shop to have sets of long shaft Flat, Philips, Pozidrive, Hex, and tamperproof Torx drivers, + stubby or loose bits for the same, + any specific security drivers required for products they specialise in repairing.  If they do any significant amount of audio work, they'll also need various deep socket drivers for pot, switch and jack nuts.

A set of generic 1/4" drive security bits + a thin walled long shanked 1/4" drive handle is useful to have around, but is no substitute for dedicated long shaft drivers.

[mzzj]

That depends what you are repairing.  Also, most security bits aren't much use when the screw in question is down a 10cm hole barely bigger than the head diameter.  Even identifying the bit type it needs can be a royal PITA, requiring soft wax on the end of a dowel to try to get an impression of it.

As a minimum, I would expect any competent general electronic repair shop to have sets of long shaft Flat, Philips, Pozidrive, Hex, and tamperproof Torx drivers, + stubby or loose bits for the same, + any specific security drivers required for products they specialise in repairing.  If they do any significant amount of audio work, they'll also need various deep socket drivers for pot, switch and jack nuts.

A set of generic 1/4" drive security bits + a thin walled long shanked 1/4" drive handle is useful to have around, but is no substitute for dedicated long shaft drivers.

Agree 100%
Too often the extra long bits look like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESN01TU 

IF anyone knows set with long (micro size) 3mm or 1/8" bits let us know. I one set that I bought 10 years ago from Thailand and I actually like it quite a lot. Like this:

[KL27x]

A set of generic 1/4" drive security bits + a thin walled long shanked 1/4" drive handle is useful to have around, but is no substitute for dedicated long shaft drivers.

I ran into this problem the other month when the switch on my shop vac needed to be replaced. I slotted the back of the torx bit and taped it over the end of a flathead screwdriver.

I only have torx, imperial hex*, and Robertson. For everything else, I have allen keys + belt grinder + dremel tool. I made a triangle bit to open a PSU, recently.

* It seems like I have always found a torx bit to fit metric hex. I dunno if this is luck or if they are made to do that. 

Too often the extra long bits look like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESN01TU 

Haha, yeah. I've a phillips bit that is 1/4", but I turned it in a drill and ground the shaft round to fit a hole. Might work in a pinch if you need 3mm but all you have is 4.

[ataradov]

I have a variety of the cheapest kits I could find on Amazon. The quality is not great, or course, but most of the time I just need them to work once or twice and most bits will never be used at all. I really see no need to overpay for this stuff.

Plus a grinder, so any random bit could be turned into a "security" bit in a matter of minutes.

[amyk]

Whenever I have to deal with heads like this they're not going back in, so they're nothing a tapered flat-blade can't handle:


For the rest, they're external heads so I grip them from the outside with pliers.

[M4x]

I highly recommend this set: https://www.proxxon.com/en/industrial/23107.phpp

[james_s]

I have a set of the common ones, but over the years I have gotten adept at improvising with various other tools. I cannot think of a single instance where a security screw has prevented me from getting inside something. They are useless, I always replace them with sensible ordinary screws.

[PA0PBZ]

I highly recommend this set: https://www.proxxon.com/en/industrial/23107.php

Less than EUR 40 on amazon.de at the moment.


edit: fixed the typo in the url

[mzzj]

I highly recommend this set: https://www.proxxon.com/en/industrial/23107.phpp

Pentalobe is missing from that set.
Small pentalobe is satan's incarnation to screw your day, you need a microscope to distinguish between tiny torx and pentalobe. 

[Zucca]

Also those ones are bastards:



How about this one:

https://www.amazon.de/Schraubendreher-Feinmechaniker-Präzision-Screwdriver-Elektronik/dp/B074J6DWF6

[Rerouter]

I have to agree with the sentiment on security screws, almost none pass the flathead / pliers test, Heck a place I used to work at went to the extent to get screws with custom heads just so it could not be opened by a flat head.

Incident cameras mounted on plant equiptment, the technicians didn't like there work being recorded when they where in the area so would loosen the torx security screws and point them at the floor, 2 months later a panel falls on one of the technicians and he tries to sue..  neither side was able to prove for or against, (panel was completely unmarked, and the injury didn't line up), and was settled out of court.

Que giant backlash, the firing of 3 technicians who where caught on camera tampering with them, and the rollout of these custom machined screws. While they would not have been able to easily move these screws now, I feel the fear of being fired is what probably stopped the tampering, rather than the screws.

[Zucca]

Thanks for all your feedback, I loaded a chinese boat with triangle bit set for 1,89€. Now I have to wait a month.

My strategy is the following: as soon I come across something I don't have I go in ebay and buy some 100% chinesium bits.
I don't care about the quality, I use them just once every 5 years.

[IdahoMan]

That depends what you are repairing.  Also, most security bits aren't much use when the screw in question is down a 10cm hole barely bigger than the head diameter.  Even identifying the bit type it needs can be a royal PITA, requiring soft wax on the end of a dowel to try to get an impression of it.

As a minimum, I would expect any competent general electronic repair shop to have sets of long shaft Flat, Philips, Pozidrive, Hex, and tamperproof Torx drivers, + stubby or loose bits for the same, + any specific security drivers required for products they specialise in repairing.  If they do any significant amount of audio work, they'll also need various deep socket drivers for pot, switch and jack nuts.

A set of generic 1/4" drive security bits + a thin walled long shanked 1/4" drive handle is useful to have around, but is no substitute for dedicated long shaft drivers.

Agree 100%
Too often the extra long bits look like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESN01TU 

IF anyone knows set with long (micro size) 3mm or 1/8" bits let us know. I one set that I bought 10 years ago from Thailand and I actually like it quite a lot. Like this:

Question for all:  Can you give some examples of times you have needed oddball driver type/sizes and what hole depths?

I've been looking at bits because I figure it would be cheaper and save space compared to having a full screwdriver per screw size.

Something like this:



My policy for buying is:

-Anywhere but China.
-Decent quality/price (including S&H).

For the more precise/oddball drives where quality is important I've been looking at major brands (Wera, Wiha, Felo, PB Swiss). PB Swiss is to expensive. The above picture is Wiha, and I'm disappointed that they would outsource (Vietnam) but at least they aren't China.

Anyway, a little bump for this topic.

[BreakingOhmsLaw]

Google for Wera 05059297001
It's a complete kit that has most of what you need, with 120mm long bits and german made quality. Around 65 Euro.


https://products.wera.de/de/kraftform_kompakt_kraftform_kompakt_60_62_kk_62.html

[sn4k3]

My policy for buying is:

-Anywhere but China.
-Decent quality/price (including S&H).

I agree on this for who want quality and heavy use of the driver/bit

Some years ago (10) i bought a precision screwdriver with a set of bit that costs about 120€, H3 bits and small screwdriver.
Today i still use that set for almost everything, the grip, bits, screwdriver fells as good as it perform, it have perfect fit with screw head and no problem so far!
During this time i found multiple kits on china, clones, similars, etc... I tried some as they are dirty cheap, but no way to use them... When you try good you can't get used to trash, china bits are just butter on screws, they slipper easy, bit tip deforms, bits broke, screwdriver feels bad when rotating, every thing is negative comparing with china bits...
I also can remove high torque screws using my little screwdriver by just use a leaver on screwdriver hole, press it down and rotate so far removed every screw i wanted. So for the ones who think i'm crazy to spend the 120€ on a micro bit kit i think it worth every cent, look 10 years and still like new, most used bits already lost the coating and look "rusted" but they are still performing the same.
PS: Tried tempered bits too from china that broke in no time

So my vote will always go to quality bits, they make a huge difference, more if you go smaller, huge bits and driver will perform better of course

[ralphrmartin]

If you dont want them to go back in - screw extractors could be another (universal) option, something of this general kind:

https://uk.farnell.com/duratool/d00163/screw-extractor-5pc/dp/1447442

[IdahoMan]

One other thing that drives me crazy: They should include ALL sizes in the sets, or let you buy the sizes individually (they can set a minimum number for the order if that is an issue).

One source/company is too expensive.
One source/company has what you want but the sizes are incomplete.
One source/company might have the right price, but the S&H is ridiculous.
One source/company is no more (goes to China).
One source/company wants you too have an account.

Am I the only one who thinks it shouldn't be this impossible to do something that should be so simple? How do people stay in business? 

[helius]

From just looking at the title, I thought this thread was about programming security bits in microcontrollers

Anyway, if you want USA made screwdrivers and bits you should buy Bondhus or Moody. Klein may still have some USA content, but probably not. I think Craftsman is now far east made.

Bondhus has some kind of corporate relationship/distributorship with Felo, so you can buy Felo tools through them as well. I have been very happy with the Felo R-Go 6mm bit driver/mini ratchet set.

Another bit of advice for those who get rusty bits: you should wipe your tools with a quality motor oil, like Royal Purple. Keep some in an oiler and refresh your tools when they have gotten sweaty or wet. Also, don't store bits in containers that look like rubber. The sulfur content will corrode them.