Security Bits

[pickleye]

Hello folks,

It looks like I'm getting a fire damaged section of Carpark to repair.

Problem is all of the existing ligh fittings are assembled with security screws. The screw head has 4 drilled holes in a square pattern. I don't have the hole centres at the minute.

In the past I've Managed with a "spanner bit" used for "snake eye" security screws (two drilled holes)

But these fittings are old with corrosion in place. I snapped the pins off three bits last week on a similar fitting. Probably due to poor quality bits.

Does anyone know where I can buy good quality individual spanner bits, or a 4 pin bit to suit? It's going to be a long job if I'm drilling out bolt after bolt. Expensive if a have buy a kit each time I snap a pin off.

 

[Sidewinder]

I suppose the holes in the screws are <3mm dia.?

Another thought, is left hand drill bits.

Else are you replacing the fittings?

If so destructive removal?

 

[Andy™]

bigger hammer should do the job

 

[pickleye]

I'd guess the holes are a little under 3mm

I've not seen it yet, but boss says some can be saved with just a new diffuser, (which we have) so need to take apart - non destructively. The end caps that hold the diffuser in are screwed on with three security bolts.

Impact removal

 

[Evans Electric]

I'm guessing a removal key has not been left onsite ....with caretaker / cleaners etc ?

Is the name of the manufacturer  obvious ?     If so , order a key ,perhaps. ?    Someone must have been changing lamps. 

 

[Andy™]

make one?

 

[pickleye]

No keys left anywhere, it's not that special a bolt. A design plan fitting I took apart the other day had the same bolts.

We've been changing lamps over the years. We've always managed one way or another, but 80 fittings / 240 bolts is a different matter.

It may turn out I'm over worrying if the corrosion is less than expected. Or the job is smaller than I'm told. Should get a look tomorrow.

 

[kerching]

How about....carefully remove to the best of your ability accompanied by the equipment at hand/leather like **** ONE of the fittings.

Try to get some details from the recently maladjusted fitting

Contact manufacturer

If no details inside then you have not lost that much as you had to get into it in the first place

Just....something i have done in the past, albeit with limited success and some degree of lacrimation

 

[Evans Electric]

You mention ..." your Boss " , Pickle,     I'd let him worry about it TBH .....he should already be on the case TBH .

 

[pickleye]

You mention ..." your Boss " , Pickle,     I'd let him worry about it TBH .....he should already be on the case TBH .

Yes, he should, no he's not.

However I have discovered that if this type of security bolt is stuck, the "snake eye bit" tend to just snap off. 

BUT... I found most of the time tapping them round with a centre punch and hammer is enough to break the seal and then let you get the bolt out with the bit.

Also crow bar works a treat if the above fails.

 

[kerching]

I still think my post #8 was a good option

Just saying

 

[pickleye]

It was and we did, but they sent the same bit we had, which is just too weak for corroded in bolts.

We managed, just a pain. New fittings are tamper proof Torx.

 

[kerching]

Tamper proof torx

When you get stuck, donk off the little pin.......instantly becomes "non security Torx"

Just had to do that recently in an emergency

Security screws now replaced

 

[pickleye]

I must admit I've never come across a vandal dismantle something, smash it yes, but take apart - no.

Maybe I've led a sheltered life.