Triangle screws - bit or screwdriver required

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funnyfela

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Topic # 242349 23-Oct-2018 19:39

Have some items at work that have triangle screws

We are needing to change the batteries as they have died and they're from the US so don't really want to send away 60 units just to change a watch battery in each one.

Where can I find triangle bits? Have tried Allen keys as Google suggested but not quite.

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'That VDSL Cat'
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Reply # 2112874 23-Oct-2018 19:43

i was expecting this to be the triangles on the ETP's but that looks different again

With the right size flat head and a bit of careful use you can do it....

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funnyfela

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Reply # 2112876 23-Oct-2018 19:45

hio77:
i was expecting this to be the triangles on the ETP's but that looks different again

With the right size flat head and a bit of careful use you can do it....

If it was one or two, definitely, but 120 screws over 60 units... and will probably replace batteries again in 12 months. Quite keen and happy to get a proper one.

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Virgil

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Reply # 2112881 23-Oct-2018 20:04

Hiya, I have one of these sets [url=https://www.bunnings.co.nz/craftright-screwdriver-bit-set-100pc_p06320526] which has #1, #2, #3 and #4 Tri-wing bits which look like they might be similar ti what you are after.

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mdf

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Reply # 2112884 23-Oct-2018 20:14

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Ebay. Not sure what size based on the picture, but I'd guess a set like this should have something that worked. You can get just the driver heads for less.

mdf

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Reply # 2112886 23-Oct-2018 20:16

As an aside, what sort of device is this? I've only ever seen triangle screws on stuff that is supposed to be tamper resistant. Smoke alarm maybe?

funnyfela

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Reply # 2112888 23-Oct-2018 20:24

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mdf:
As an aside, what sort of device is this? I've only ever seen triangle screws on stuff that is supposed to be tamper resistant. Smoke alarm maybe?

Without giving too much away, they are electronic locator beacons for my place of employment (big global company). Bluetooth antenna on roof triangulate the location of the beacon. Beacons go to sleep after x time of no movement due to an accelerometer. Batteries are about 2 years old now so pretty good.

The company who designed them is after a decent sum of money to replace them, when I can do it for labour + batteries.

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richms

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Reply # 2112889 23-Oct-2018 20:25

Thats not one I have seen in most of the large number in 1 screwdriver bit sets. There are some options on aliexpress. When I wanted a 5mm hex screwdriver that wasnt an interchangable bit type, I gave up looking locally and got one off aliex for about $6 delivered.

Richard rich.ms

funnyfela

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Reply # 2112890 23-Oct-2018 20:26

mdf:
Ebay. Not sure what size based on the picture, but I'd guess a set like this should have something that worked. You can get just the driver heads for less.

I had a 2 mm flathead which was fitting sorta, but the screws were just too tight to undo without it slipping. Thank you so much will buy them!

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funnyfela

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Reply # 2112891 23-Oct-2018 20:27

richms:
Thats not one I have seen in most of the large number in 1 screwdriver bit sets. There are some options on aliexpress. When I wanted a 5mm hex screwdriver that wasnt an interchangable bit type, I gave up looking locally and got one off aliex for about $6 delivered.

Yeah I know, I've got a kit of many uncommon bits too, went to old faithful but no triangle. Never been so stumped lol

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Fred99

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Reply # 2112893 23-Oct-2018 20:35

Unless it's a trick of the light in the photo, it looks more to me like the triangle head on the screw is a male protrusion - not a triangle shaped slot where those drivers / heads would fit.

If there's no off the shelf solution and the screws are in plastic and not too much torque needed to undo, I'd probably try improvising a tool using a bit of metal tube the right diameter to fit over the triangle. Spray some silicone over the screw head for release agent, mix some rapid araldite (5 min stuff) and pack it in the end of the tube, place over screw head and secure until it sets, wait for it to set fully, and with a bit of luck remove every screw with the home-made tool.

If that works I'd take it a step further, and find a maker of gel suppository casings on Aliexpress, buy enough of them to fit all of those screws, pack them inside the casings, send them via FedX to the CE of the company that supplied the devices, with graphic instructions showing where he should put them.

DarthKermit

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Reply # 2112898 23-Oct-2018 20:54

I've come across triangle head screws on a kitchen appliance once. They were a recessed equilateral triangle. I ended up drilling the screw heads out to get into the appliance to repair it.

mdf

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Reply # 2112933 23-Oct-2018 21:19

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funnyfela:
mdf:

As an aside, what sort of device is this? I've only ever seen triangle screws on stuff that is supposed to be tamper resistant. Smoke alarm maybe?

Without giving too much away, they are electronic locator beacons for my place of employment (big global company). Bluetooth antenna on roof triangulate the location of the beacon. Beacons go to sleep after x time of no movement due to an accelerometer. Batteries are about 2 years old now so pretty good.

The company who designed them is after a decent sum of money to replace them, when I can do it for labour + batteries.

Hah! So the other sort of tamper resistant then (the one that secures a revenue stream). Best of luck in not having to pay $200 per $2 battery.

funnyfela

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Reply # 2112943 23-Oct-2018 21:31

Fred99:
Unless it's a trick of the light in the photo, it looks more to me like the triangle head on the screw is a male protrusion - not a triangle shaped slot where those drivers / heads would fit.

If there's no off the shelf solution and the screws are in plastic and not too much torque needed to undo, I'd probably try improvising a tool using a bit of metal tube the right diameter to fit over the triangle. Spray some silicone over the screw head for release agent, mix some rapid araldite (5 min stuff) and pack it in the end of the tube, place over screw head and secure until it sets, wait for it to set fully, and with a bit of luck remove every screw with the home-made tool.

If that works I'd take it a step further, and find a maker of gel suppository casings on Aliexpress, buy enough of them to fit all of those screws, pack them inside the casings, send them via FedX to the CE of the company that supplied the devices, with graphic instructions showing where he should put them.

Trick of the light, the triangle goes in just like any normal screw

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Rikkitic

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Reply # 2112944 23-Oct-2018 21:31

DarthKermit:

I've come across triangle head screws on a kitchen appliance once. They were a recessed equilateral triangle. I ended up drilling the screw heads out to get into the appliance to repair it.

I've even come across them on a toaster but fortunately I also have a kit with every kind of screwdriver attachment ever made. I have had it for years.

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DarthKermit

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Reply # 2112946 23-Oct-2018 21:33

What, even for the aforementioned triangles?

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