De Longhi Heater - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Bobsound · 12th Jan 2019, 12:59 pm

I have a De Longhi fan heater type HVE320S which is faulty. It is held together by a type of security screw which seems to be a combination of hex and star form. Does anyone know where I can obtain a suitable driver and what the name of this type of screw is?

Many Thanks
Bob

Station X · 12th Jan 2019, 1:02 pm

Looks like a tamper proof version of a Torx screw. Keys to fit these will be found on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9PC-Offse...item43ff1d6df0

paulsherwin · 12th Jan 2019, 1:05 pm

You can often get them out with an appropriately sized flat screwdriver. It depends how tightly they're screwed in.

Refugee · 12th Jan 2019, 1:12 pm

You can buy sets of points for power tools that fit those from the local flea market.
Most kits also come with a manual handle.

Bobsound · 12th Jan 2019, 2:53 pm

Many thanks for your replies, I shall investigate eBay!
Bob

12th Jan 2019, 4:35 pm

If you have 'ordinary' torx bits the middle pin snaps of quite easily.

duncanlowe · 12th Jan 2019, 7:11 pm

I'd echo the above. Tamperproof torx. You can get the drivers but the centre pin can often be snapped off and a standard torx used.

Jimbo · 12th Jan 2019, 7:44 pm

Screwfix stock several sets of 'security bits' including the TX tamperproof Torx-profile. Catalogue number 2840V should cover what you need or one of the Screwfix own-brand 'Erbauer' kits catalogue number 12492 .

They all seem rather expensive for a one-off job, but more and more domestic appliances use this type of screw now so the cost has to be reckoned as an investment!

I have found that a general shortcoming of all of the boxed-sets of bits is that often the fasteners are deeply recessed into the surrounding casing and that the bits are too short to reach the head. Fitting the bit-holder / extension doesn't help as its diameter is then too large to fit into the hole!
Your photograph in post #1 suggests this might not be a problem in your case, but check before you buy!

Hope this helps.

dglcomp · 12th Jan 2019, 10:11 pm

When I needed torx bits last year it was cheaper in the local DIY/odds and ends shop to by security bits, and they naturally work fine for normal torx screws.

mike_newcomb · 13th Jan 2019, 1:21 pm

Hi Bob,
as others have suggested they can be found on ebay.
Searching for: security bit sets
finds a 10 piece set from around £1.50.

However, I generally go as Paul suggests and remove them using a flat screwdriver or similar, and replace with a Screw that has a standard type head. I do have a set of Hex Security Bits, but often, like Jimbo, find the offending Screw too deeply recessed for them to reach.

Regards - Mike

Andrew B · 13th Jan 2019, 3:46 pm

Lidl supermarkets have a large box of these and other "secure" bits on sale

13th Jan 2019, 5:12 pm

For stubborn screws (if that be shape or rounding off) I use a left hand drill bit, you usually have to replace the screw with a new one afterwards.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 16th Jan 2019, 12:10 pm

I had the same problem with a 'Tamper-proof screw' (the type which has a slotted head with a 'pip' in the center) in a Halfords Battery Charger. Unable to buy the correct type of screwdriver locally, and unable to use my interchangeable bit screwdriver (Diameter too large again!) I drilled off as much as I could of the'pip' then used a regular flat bladed driver to remove the screw.

Refugee · 16th Jan 2019, 12:20 pm

I just cut a gap in the middle of an old flat blade screwdriver and have been using it for years to get those out and back in again.

Hunts smoothing bomb · 16th Jan 2019, 12:22 pm

Exactly what I have done!

Cheers

Herald1360 · 16th Jan 2019, 1:43 pm

They still work fine with ordinary slotted screws, too.

Electronpusher0 · 16th Jan 2019, 2:47 pm

Out of interest, what is the problem with the fan heater?

I have a Stanley fan heater that after being stored in a shed now trips the RCD.
The reason is that the elements, which are made of a heating coil embedded in ceramic inside a metal outer, have absorbed moisture into the ceramic and exhibit leakage from both L and N to Earth.
The only cure is to replace the elements (not available) or run the heater flat out for a couple of hours with the earth connection off - while keeping hands off the metalwork! - to dry the elements out.

Peter

Refugee · 16th Jan 2019, 2:54 pm

The other trick with those is to power it from 24 volts for a couple of hours.
The motor will not run however the element will run just hot enough to be uncomfortable to touch with your finger. It will not take more than a couple of amps. Just measure the cold resistance to be sure.

12th Jan 2019, 1:02 pm	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,286	Re: De Longhi Heater Looks like a tamper proof version of a Torx screw. Keys to fit these will be found on eBay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9PC-Offse...item43ff1d6df0 __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

12th Jan 2019, 1:05 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,932	Re: De Longhi Heater You can often get them out with an appropriately sized flat screwdriver. It depends how tightly they're screwed in.

12th Jan 2019, 1:12 pm	#4
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: De Longhi Heater You can buy sets of points for power tools that fit those from the local flea market. Most kits also come with a manual handle.

12th Jan 2019, 2:53 pm	#5
Bobsound Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: St Jean d'Angely, Charente-Maritime, France Posts: 81	Re: De Longhi Heater Many thanks for your replies, I shall investigate eBay! Bob

12th Jan 2019, 4:35 pm	#6
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: De Longhi Heater If you have 'ordinary' torx bits the middle pin snaps of quite easily.

12th Jan 2019, 12:59 pm	#1
Bobsound Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: St Jean d'Angely, Charente-Maritime, France Posts: 81	De Longhi Heater I have a De Longhi fan heater type HVE320S which is faulty. It is held together by a type of security screw which seems to be a combination of hex and star form. Does anyone know where I can obtain a suitable driver and what the name of this type of screw is? Many Thanks Bob Attached Thumbnails

12th Jan 2019, 7:11 pm	#7
duncanlowe Nonode Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Stafford, Staffs. UK. Posts: 2,531	Re: De Longhi Heater I'd echo the above. Tamperproof torx. You can get the drivers but the centre pin can often be snapped off and a standard torx used.

12th Jan 2019, 7:44 pm	#8
Jimbo Pentode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Crewkerne, Somerset, UK. Posts: 113	Re: De Longhi Heater Screwfix stock several sets of 'security bits' including the TX tamperproof Torx-profile. Catalogue number 2840V should cover what you need or one of the Screwfix own-brand 'Erbauer' kits catalogue number 12492 . They all seem rather expensive for a one-off job, but more and more domestic appliances use this type of screw now so the cost has to be reckoned as an investment! I have found that a general shortcoming of all of the boxed-sets of bits is that often the fasteners are deeply recessed into the surrounding casing and that the bits are too short to reach the head. Fitting the bit-holder / extension doesn't help as its diameter is then too large to fit into the hole! Your photograph in post #1 suggests this might not be a problem in your case, but check before you buy! Hope this helps.

12th Jan 2019, 10:11 pm	#9
dglcomp Heptode Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Portland, Dorset, UK. Posts: 871	Re: De Longhi Heater When I needed torx bits last year it was cheaper in the local DIY/odds and ends shop to by security bits, and they naturally work fine for normal torx screws.

13th Jan 2019, 1:21 pm	#10
mike_newcomb Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West London, UK. Posts: 665	Re: De Longhi Heater Hi Bob, as others have suggested they can be found on ebay. Searching for: security bit sets finds a 10 piece set from around £1.50. However, I generally go as Paul suggests and remove them using a flat screwdriver or similar, and replace with a Screw that has a standard type head. I do have a set of Hex Security Bits, but often, like Jimbo, find the offending Screw too deeply recessed for them to reach. Regards - Mike

13th Jan 2019, 3:46 pm	#11
Andrew B Heptode Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 512	Re: De Longhi Heater Lidl supermarkets have a large box of these and other "secure" bits on sale __________________ worried about the electrons entering the circuit and the smoke leaving Andrew

13th Jan 2019, 5:12 pm	#12
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: De Longhi Heater For stubborn screws (if that be shape or rounding off) I use a left hand drill bit, you usually have to replace the screw with a new one afterwards.

16th Jan 2019, 12:10 pm	#13
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: De Longhi Heater I had the same problem with a 'Tamper-proof screw' (the type which has a slotted head with a 'pip' in the center) in a Halfords Battery Charger. Unable to buy the correct type of screwdriver locally, and unable to use my interchangeable bit screwdriver (Diameter too large again!) I drilled off as much as I could of the'pip' then used a regular flat bladed driver to remove the screw.

16th Jan 2019, 12:20 pm	#14
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: De Longhi Heater I just cut a gap in the middle of an old flat blade screwdriver and have been using it for years to get those out and back in again.

16th Jan 2019, 12:22 pm	#15
Hunts smoothing bomb Octode Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wimborne, Dorset, UK. Posts: 1,407	Re: De Longhi Heater Exactly what I have done! Cheers Attached Thumbnails __________________ Lee

16th Jan 2019, 1:43 pm	#16
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: De Longhi Heater They still work fine with ordinary slotted screws, too. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

16th Jan 2019, 2:47 pm	#17
Electronpusher0 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 2,294	Re: De Longhi Heater Out of interest, what is the problem with the fan heater? I have a Stanley fan heater that after being stored in a shed now trips the RCD. The reason is that the elements, which are made of a heating coil embedded in ceramic inside a metal outer, have absorbed moisture into the ceramic and exhibit leakage from both L and N to Earth. The only cure is to replace the elements (not available) or run the heater flat out for a couple of hours with the earth connection off - while keeping hands off the metalwork! - to dry the elements out. Peter

16th Jan 2019, 2:54 pm	#18
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: De Longhi Heater The other trick with those is to power it from 24 volts for a couple of hours. The motor will not run however the element will run just hot enough to be uncomfortable to touch with your finger. It will not take more than a couple of amps. Just measure the cold resistance to be sure.