Need help finding a square drive tool, no, the other kind.

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Need help finding a square drive tool, no, the other kind.

elpenguino

3392 posts

Uber Geek

#303813 10-Mar-2023 16:26

I've got something I need to 'drive' (round in circles) and for that I need a square shaped tool, 5mm size.

If I put 'square drive tool' into your average search engine I end up with tools which are for socket sets and the like, you know, 1/4 inch drive etc.

The closest thing I have or can find is a tool for square headed screws (robinson or whatever they are). That would work if it was 5mm instead of 3.something.

In an ideal world I'll be able to find something like a 5 mm hex driver to fit on a 1/4 inch ratchet , just with a 4 sided end on it instead of 6.

Is there such a thing off the shelf?

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

timmmay

20513 posts

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#3048772 10-Mar-2023 16:32

There are multiple sizes of square screwdriver size. Take your "thing" to a hardware store and try the various tools out.

dimsim

847 posts

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#3048775 10-Mar-2023 16:36

SQ4 is probably the closest you'll get at 3.8mm SQ5 is 6.3mm so you prob need a SQ4.5 :)

johno1234

2743 posts

Uber Geek

#3048778 10-Mar-2023 16:44

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertson_screw

The #4 is approx 4.8mm but I don't know where you can find a #4 bit

tweake

2349 posts

Uber Geek

#3048780 10-Mar-2023 16:49

don't forget the other option, an old or cheap screwdriver and a grinder. make your own.

elpenguino

3392 posts

Uber Geek

#3048783 10-Mar-2023 16:59

tweake:

don't forget the other option, an old or cheap screwdriver and a grinder. make your own.

I have considered this but since I need the torque capability somewhere between 'oomph' and 'frikkin ell that's tight!' , I wondered if the donor tool would become weakened by the process.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

RunningMan

8914 posts

Uber Geek

#3048790 10-Mar-2023 17:19

you certain it's 5mm? #2 square bit is the most common, but #3 bits are also reasonably easy to find.

Mehrts

1055 posts

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#3048792 10-Mar-2023 17:31

What's the application? Got any pics?

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Froglotion

208 posts

Master Geek

#3052159 19-Mar-2023 22:06

Would be easy enough to fab something for this job. Bit of square stock welded into a 1/4" socket?

elpenguino

3392 posts

Uber Geek

#3052162 19-Mar-2023 22:54

It's a one off use so as long as the stock (or whatever) fits in a drill chuck, it'll do.

Good idea though, I'll check my scrap bin and maybe try an old shaft from a door handle . Hopefully it's larger than 5mm and I can grind or file down from there.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

Bung

6403 posts

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Subscriber

#3052167 20-Mar-2023 02:13

Your drill chuck won't like square, 3 jaws will grip hex or round ok.

elpenguino

3392 posts

Uber Geek

#3053368 22-Mar-2023 16:10

Thanks for tips everyone. I found an old square bar from a door handle set and ground it down. It had to be reasonably long (>15mm) to fit in the thing so a robertson may not have worked.

Vice grips were enough to undo the thingy so I didn't have to alter the other end.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21