Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Damo666 · 19th Nov 2010, 11:21 pm

Hi Guys,
I'm going to have a search on eBay to find the tool pictured below, but I don't know what to search for.
Anybody in the know please?
Cheers,
Damian.

McMurdo · 19th Nov 2010, 11:40 pm

That is a System-Zero screw head so you need a System Zero screwdriver.

http://www.discostudio.co.uk/system-zero-szdrv3.html

PS the link is to the M6 one for illustration, there are other sizes of course!!

Michael Maurice · 19th Nov 2010, 11:43 pm

These are known as tamperproof screws and the drivers and the screws are available from RS.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...ver#breadCrumb

Damo666 · 19th Nov 2010, 11:50 pm

Kevin & Michael, thankyou for the swift responses. I shall now get searching.
All the best,
Damian.

Damo666 · 20th Nov 2010, 2:06 am

Sorry to be a pain, but would this be a M6 screw? IE 6mm in diameter at its widest points?
Just need to clarify before I fritter a small fortune on the tool.
Cheers,
Damian.

Station X · 20th Nov 2010, 9:47 am

The M6 designation refers to the diameter of the THREAD, not the HEAD. Given that the head is 6mm across I would expect the thread size to be something between 2 and 4mm, or possibly a self tapping screw.

I would wait for more opinions before purchasing a driver though.

OErjan_S · 20th Nov 2010, 9:53 am

that is the head size of a M3 sys-0 screw, so size ZE3, there are no other with 6mm head in my references, true these could be custom, but a ZE3 would still fit.
just for reference, metric threads use the diameter of the threaded part for size, come to think, all thread systems do, The head can be more or less any size and shape.
the above is bit drastic, there are recommended sizes, shapes... but these are not always what is needed for a number of reasons, and so custom heads are made.

ppppenguin · 20th Nov 2010, 9:57 am

I don't think either of these sets has system zero bits but they cover a wide range of other security screws. Can be very handy, a cheap set in my toolkit has got me out of trouble on several occasions.

http://www.screwfix.com/cats/100193/.../Security-Bits

The more expensive set has some bi-point bits (dont' know the proper name but they are like a normal flat blade with a notch int he middle) which might well work with a system zero screw if it isn't too tight. My older Screwfix set (no longer available) cost about £4 and has 4 different sizes of this sort.

Billy T · 20th Nov 2010, 9:59 am

I met up with exactly that type.

I just got out my mini-metric and sae socket set, found one that matched the head size and gripped nicely and they were removed and replaced a number of times with no problems and no head damage at all.

I couldn't believe it was that easy!

Cheers

Billy

AlanBeckett · 20th Nov 2010, 10:41 am

I usually put a pair of sharp side cutters across two of the indentations. Works every time.
Alan

igranic · 20th Nov 2010, 12:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by OErjan_S

threads use the diameter of the threaded part for size, come to think, all thread systems do,

Not strictly true. BA (British Association), BSP (British Standard Pipe), NPT (National Pipe Thread), and UNC# (Unified National Coarse number sizes) being just a few examples.

OErjan_S · 20th Nov 2010, 1:45 pm

true that they do not use the size in the name but a screw (or nut) with a BA or other thread can have whatever head you can imagine and few more and still be BA"whatever".
As guide to thread size the head is only one guide, and not totaly reliable one, to the size of thread.
8mm metric is usually 13mm hex and so on, but i have seen any number of different heads and odd nuts for that and other "deviations" from the set standard, smallest i recall was 9mm and largest was well above 25mm.
the diameter may not be 1/2" FOR A 1/2" pipe thread but still that thread can have a number of different heads on pipecaps and such and still be 1/2" pipethread.

wow, sorry for deviating like tis, will stop here.

Damo666 · 22nd Nov 2010, 2:38 am

Thanks for the plethora of good input guys.
I think I might try unscrewing the things with sharp side cutters as Alan suggests.
The system zero tool seems mighty expensive, especially as I only intend to use it once.
All the best,
Damian.

Telleadict · 26th Nov 2010, 5:20 pm

Hello

A simmilar idea to the side cutters. Get a cheapo standard flat screwdriver from a market stall or somewhere and cut away the centre of the blade (hacksaw/file if it's cheap enough not be propperly hardend or Dremal tool if you have one) to leave two prongs something like this |_| . It should do if the screws aren't too tight/siezed.

Just a thought of what I'd probably do.

Will

Dipole · 9th Dec 2010, 10:06 pm

I'd use a fine toothed junior hacksaw blade and cut a slot across the top & use a flat blade screwdriver, then replace the screws with something sensible!

terrykc · 10th Dec 2010, 10:19 pm

Ah yes, but it is a tamperproof screw, so the head is domed so that the hacksaw blade slides off.

They probably hardened it as well - just to be awkward!

19th Nov 2010, 11:21 pm	#1
Damo666 Hexode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 399	Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? Hi Guys, I'm going to have a search on eBay to find the tool pictured below, but I don't know what to search for. Anybody in the know please? Cheers, Damian. Attached Thumbnails

19th Nov 2010, 11:43 pm	#3
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,222	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? These are known as tamperproof screws and the drivers and the screws are available from RS. http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...ver#breadCrumb

19th Nov 2010, 11:50 pm	#4
Damo666 Hexode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 399	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? Kevin & Michael, thankyou for the swift responses. I shall now get searching. All the best, Damian.

20th Nov 2010, 2:06 am	#5
Damo666 Hexode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 399	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? Sorry to be a pain, but would this be a M6 screw? IE 6mm in diameter at its widest points? Just need to clarify before I fritter a small fortune on the tool. Cheers, Damian. Attached Thumbnails

20th Nov 2010, 9:47 am	#6
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,286	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? The M6 designation refers to the diameter of the THREAD, not the HEAD. Given that the head is 6mm across I would expect the thread size to be something between 2 and 4mm, or possibly a self tapping screw. I would wait for more opinions before purchasing a driver though. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

20th Nov 2010, 9:53 am	#7
OErjan_S Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Skelleftea, Sweden Posts: 250	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? that is the head size of a M3 sys-0 screw, so size ZE3, there are no other with 6mm head in my references, true these could be custom, but a ZE3 would still fit. just for reference, metric threads use the diameter of the threaded part for size, come to think, all thread systems do, The head can be more or less any size and shape. the above is bit drastic, there are recommended sizes, shapes... but these are not always what is needed for a number of reasons, and so custom heads are made.

20th Nov 2010, 9:57 am	#8
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? I don't think either of these sets has system zero bits but they cover a wide range of other security screws. Can be very handy, a cheap set in my toolkit has got me out of trouble on several occasions. http://www.screwfix.com/cats/100193/.../Security-Bits The more expensive set has some bi-point bits (dont' know the proper name but they are like a normal flat blade with a notch int he middle) which might well work with a system zero screw if it isn't too tight. My older Screwfix set (no longer available) cost about £4 and has 4 different sizes of this sort.

20th Nov 2010, 9:59 am	#9
Billy T Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 631	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? I met up with exactly that type. I just got out my mini-metric and sae socket set, found one that matched the head size and gripped nicely and they were removed and replaced a number of times with no problems and no head damage at all. I couldn't believe it was that easy! Cheers Billy Last edited by Brian R Pateman; 20th Nov 2010 at 10:14 am. Reason: Irrelevance removed.

20th Nov 2010, 10:41 am	#10
AlanBeckett Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 1,686	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? I usually put a pair of sharp side cutters across two of the indentations. Works every time. Alan

20th Nov 2010, 1:45 pm	#12
OErjan_S Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Skelleftea, Sweden Posts: 250	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? true that they do not use the size in the name but a screw (or nut) with a BA or other thread can have whatever head you can imagine and few more and still be BA"whatever". As guide to thread size the head is only one guide, and not totaly reliable one, to the size of thread. 8mm metric is usually 13mm hex and so on, but i have seen any number of different heads and odd nuts for that and other "deviations" from the set standard, smallest i recall was 9mm and largest was well above 25mm. the diameter may not be 1/2" FOR A 1/2" pipe thread but still that thread can have a number of different heads on pipecaps and such and still be 1/2" pipethread. wow, sorry for deviating like tis, will stop here. Last edited by OErjan_S; 20th Nov 2010 at 1:51 pm.

22nd Nov 2010, 2:38 am	#13
Damo666 Hexode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 399	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? Thanks for the plethora of good input guys. I think I might try unscrewing the things with sharp side cutters as Alan suggests. The system zero tool seems mighty expensive, especially as I only intend to use it once. All the best, Damian.

26th Nov 2010, 5:20 pm	#14
Telleadict Hexode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nr. York, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 348	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? Hello A simmilar idea to the side cutters. Get a cheapo standard flat screwdriver from a market stall or somewhere and cut away the centre of the blade (hacksaw/file if it's cheap enough not be propperly hardend or Dremal tool if you have one) to leave two prongs something like this \|_\| . It should do if the screws aren't too tight/siezed. Just a thought of what I'd probably do. Will

9th Dec 2010, 10:06 pm	#15
Dipole Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 3	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? I'd use a fine toothed junior hacksaw blade and cut a slot across the top & use a flat blade screwdriver, then replace the screws with something sensible!

10th Dec 2010, 10:19 pm	#16
terrykc Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 515	Re: Anyone know what tool I need for this screw? Ah yes, but it is a tamperproof screw, so the head is domed so that the hacksaw blade slides off. They probably hardened it as well - just to be awkward!