Help me screw.

Magus`

Well, unscrew. I have a fan with a screw with this design: (- -) but am having a hell of a time finding a screwdriver that matches it. Any ideas?

Xaquin

can you find or take a picture?

DevoutlyApathetic

Probably something like this.

Can't help but think the easiest answer would be to take a dremel to an existing flat head screwdriver that you don't much like.*

Depending on how tight it is you could always revive some Gamecube hacking skills and heat to the point of melting an empty pic pen tube, jam it into the screw and let it set to form the plastic right to the shape.

Edit: If you do dremel a screwdriver be careful about letting it get too hot. Just dunk it in some water to ditch any built up heat.

Hevach

It's a tamper resistant screw, you can get bits for them without having to do anything nuts. I know Harbor Freight carries the bit in their 100 piece security bit set, but I think (not 100%) it's in the cheaper 33 piece set as well. Smaller chains like Ace or Wolfheils might have them individually. The bit you want is shaped more or less like a tuning fork.

Aioua

Also, if you have a dremel it's pretty trivial to make one of those bits from a normal flathead.

Might be cheaper and easier than tracking down the correct security bit.

DevoutlyApathetic

Hevach wrote: »

It's a tamper resistant screw, you can get bits for them without having to do anything nuts. I know Harbor Freight carries the bit in their 100 piece security bit set, but I think (not 100%) it's in the cheaper 33 piece set as well. Smaller chains like Ace or Wolfheils might have them individually. The bit you want is shaped more or less like a tuning fork.

Yup, it's in the 33 pcs set. Also it's apparently a "spanner pin" bit.

badpoet

It's tough to see the size, but is it too small to try to get a needlenose pliers in each side and twist?

Magus`

That is indeed the screw. I have basically no tools but I'm willing to try whatever.

DevoutlyApathetic

Magus` wrote: »

That is indeed the screw. I have basically no tools but I'm willing to try whatever.

Alright, is $7 bucks is no big deal I'd pick up that set from Harbor Freight. That should just work and will be far less frustrating than the bic thing and bonus points, you're prepared for the next stupid screw head thrown your way.

Hmm...doesn't look like that comes with a driver for the bits so if you really have no way to turn the bit that won't work well. Amazon has this but it's add on only. The next one with just prime is like twenty bucks, so that's not cool.

Magus`

Just some background info. I'm trying to take the front off my blower fan to get dust that the air compressor did not. It can from a really messy place and I think it's spreading dust/cat dander.

Magus`

I'm getting the Freight one. Mine shows a driver is included, though. Or heavily implies it.

joshgotro

Don't forget to grab the free item of the week while you're at Harbor Frieght.

djmitchella

joshgotro wrote: »

Don't forget to grab the free item of the week while you're at Harbor Frieght.

ooh, ooh, did someone say Harbor Freight?

The Crowing One

First you should warm it up...
ehrm... yeah, crummy heads make for awful experiences.

Hevach

joshgotro wrote: »

Don't forget to grab the free item of the week while you're at Harbor Frieght.

If it's not the screwdrivers, that is. Or the flashlight. Or the tape measure. The multimeter is actually good, and any of the less common freebies (puck light, magnetic tray, electric flyswatter) are pretty good. Those first three, though? Well... I can't exactly say you're overpaying, but... If it's the screwdrivers, you're overpaying. I mean, seriously, who puts square handles with sharp corners on a tool you're meant to grip tightly and twist?

Magus`

... Gaydar?