It's for a small star-shaped screw securing the circuitry of a hard drive. It's a six-pointed star, not to be confused with a hex bolt, maybe 1.5mm from point to point. Looks like this:




If anyone has one I could borrow or an extra to buy that would be GREAT


$1

1/21/2009 6:17:50 AM

ive got a big black tool, but i dont think it'd be much help to you. you mom could prolly use it though

1/21/2009 7:14:18 AM

the name of your jew screws is torx--you'll need to find out the size

[Edited on January 21, 2009 at 7:53 AM. Reason : the smallest i have is t10 which is prolly too big]

1/21/2009 7:52:33 AM

home depot --> buy --> use --> return

..
profit

1/21/2009 7:55:25 AM

i have a full range of torx bits...i'm at work, though

i concur with ^

1/21/2009 8:00:05 AM

Really, what's the point of creating the torx screw, but to fuck with people. I guess they think it keeps people from unscrewing stuff they don't want unscrewed, but it just ends up being a mild inconvenience.

Anytime I see these, I give out an audible "FUCK", then rummage around for a torx kit.

On a side note, why not have philips head be the standard? Flat head makes it too easy for the screwdriver to slip out, and philips head is just right.

[Edited on January 21, 2009 at 8:13 AM. Reason : side note]

1/21/2009 8:12:10 AM

Quote :

"ANTI- TAMPER SCREW"

1/21/2009 8:24:29 AM

Phillips head is designed to camout(to strip). It's original purpose was to limit the torque applied to bolts by automated equipment. It was better to strip the bolt than snap the head off.

Torx, on the other hand, is designed NOT to camout. However, I've noticed that automakers typically use it as an anti-tamper bolt. For example, three bolts that hold the seat on are phillips. The fourth is torx. Go figure.

In any case, you really need a set of these in your toolbox. Go to big lots and buy some.

1/21/2009 8:39:57 AM

yeah, they're usually used to anchor seat belts too. i like torx better than phillips, but each has its purpose.

1/21/2009 8:44:53 AM

instead of having to drive all the way out to home depot or some place like that, call up advanced auto on western and see if they have anything

ps, i'd also call kmart

[Edited on January 21, 2009 at 8:57 AM. Reason : kmart]

1/21/2009 8:46:21 AM

Quote :

"I guess they think it keeps people from unscrewing stuff they don't want unscrewed"

ding ding ding!

I love these things.
There are basic hex or star ones, but those aren't very secure -- just an annoyance (as was mentioned...)

There are pin-heads:
Phillips Pin-Head
Socket Pin-Head
TORX® Pin-Head

There are triangle, recessed or other weird shapes:
Tri-Wing®
Snake Eyes®
TP3®

The always funny reverse one:
OPSIT® Reverse Thread
Reverse thread sheet metal screw that installs counter-clockwise, thus, tightens if removal is attempted.

And my personal favorite...
One-Way Slotted
reverse side cammed out

Honorable mention:
Removable Security Nut
zinc alloy (non-ferrous rust resistant)...
Non-Removable Breakaway Nuts
Hex nut breaks away when nut is tightened leaving only the tamper-resistant conical portion. No special tool is required.

[Edited on January 21, 2009 at 8:50 AM. Reason : ]

1/21/2009 8:47:01 AM

those security fasteners are all over the dorms. sucks having to carry a special set of bits for them.

1/21/2009 8:50:23 AM

I've got a few different sizes of those around here. Holler at me later and I can bring them by on my way to work tonight or something.

1/21/2009 11:45:38 AM

Take your pick!

1/21/2009 11:49:37 AM

I am really surprised this thread is still SFW

1/21/2009 12:10:37 PM

Home Depot sells individual sockets. If worse comes to worse you can take the drive in there and just buy the one socket you need for a few bucks.

It'll be a problem if it is a "torx security" screw though. Those are the ones with a pin in the center like Willy Nilly referenced.

1/21/2009 12:28:12 PM

he said it's ~1.5 mm across. i'd just get a bit for a 1/4" driver or just a torx screwdriver. no need in spending the extra for a 1/4" drive socket.

bit:

torx screwdriver:

torx sockets:

1/21/2009 12:41:07 PM

$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1$1

1/21/2009 12:50:37 PM

bob

1/21/2009 12:52:01 PM

i could also borrow a tool from one of you

1/21/2009 1:05:56 PM

i thought this thread was going to be about NC86

1/21/2009 1:09:13 PM

jew screws FTL

1/21/2009 1:15:57 PM

Quote :

"i thought this thread was going to be about NC86"

winnar

1/21/2009 1:17:30 PM

Both Home Depot and Lowe's carry tools the size of a small screwdriver that have interchangeable torx bits, with the ones not in use stored in the handle. Great if you run into a lot of small torx screws (like the ones that are used in computer hard drives, etc.)

1/21/2009 2:00:12 PM

i love the pin-head screws

1/21/2009 2:04:18 PM

locating a tool on tdub should be the easiest thing you'll do all day

1/21/2009 2:07:36 PM

I like Jew-screw better than Torx.

1/21/2009 2:30:01 PM

THATS WHAT SHE SAID

1/21/2009 4:03:11 PM

Make sure it doesn't have a raised dot in the middle, like this:



When I get back to my place I can check what I have. Doubt I have any of these though.

1/21/2009 4:12:38 PM

heh, i have .... 5 sets of torx tooling, and 2 full sets of tamperproof bits.

1/21/2009 4:30:52 PM

The thread title just makes me think dirty sexy things.

1/21/2009 4:32:03 PM

Ooooo, this one's nice:

1/21/2009 4:37:12 PM

I always think of JJ Redick with his grill piece in.

1/21/2009 4:38:17 PM

Quote :

"ive got a big black tool, but i dont think it'd be much help to you. you mom could prolly use it though"

LOL that didnt take long at all.

1/21/2009 4:38:57 PM

Damn, yo. Not to be a dork, but is that Ipe wood on your deck I have a feeling it could be Jatoba though...

1/21/2009 4:41:35 PM

Oh I have no clue, that's just some internet image I found of the screw in question. Mine's for swapping the electronics on a hard drive


And no, there's no security pin. looks just like the picture


$1

1/21/2009 5:18:45 PM

hex + hammer

1/21/2009 5:19:49 PM

yeah, i started to figure that and how it would be much easier to find a picture than take a picture.......UNLESS YOU WERE TRYING TO IMpRESS WOOD AFICIANADOS!!!....but you werent.

You would have to be real baller to have that....you almost made me like you

1/21/2009 5:27:26 PM