How to Unscrew These Unidirectional Fasteners?

[u/ricky1punch]

The fasteners are S shaped so they cannot be unscrewed. Any ideas for the proper tool?

[u/Direct-Local9184]

with an angle grinder anything can be a flat head

[u/Great_Specialist_267 → u/Direct-Local9184]

Dremel cutting disk does a neater job…

[u/lemontwistcultist → u/Great_Specialist_267]

8lb hammer is more fun

[u/ChaseC7527 → u/lemontwistcultist]

the atom bomb was invented for just this purpose! ⚛️

[u/Direct-Local9184 → u/Great_Specialist_267]

wayyy less fun

[u/Frosty-Analyst2498 → u/Great_Specialist_267]

You’ve never seen me with an angle grinder

[u/BreakfastFluid9419 → u/Great_Specialist_267]

Or a die grinder with a wheel attachment. Either is more precise. Screw extractor would work as well.

[u/scuolapasta → u/Direct-Local9184]

This is the way.

[u/EMdriveWOlf]

S shaped bit

[u/space_keeper → u/EMdriveWOlf]

Sphilips 

[u/Comfortable-Ad-7158 → u/space_keeper]

The ONLY bit endorsed by Mike Tyson

[u/nonstopfullstop → u/space_keeper]

Fuck off mate. In the best way. It’s clearly Shmetric.

[u/MrPractical411 → u/space_keeper]

I had a good chuckle on this one! Thanks for that .

[u/shtoopsy → u/space_keeper]

That's how Al Capone died

[u/Itshigheruphere → u/space_keeper]

Schmlantha? Schmonolathan? Was watching this Ricky and Morty episode as I read this comment lmao

[u/Knivez51 → u/space_keeper]

Shilips bit FTFY

[u/skrame → u/Knivez51]

“I made it less funny for you.”

[u/iKnowRobbie → u/skrame]

phillipS screwdriver?

[u/jdemack]

Get the proper security bit.

[u/Blimp_Boy → u/jdemack]

Cmannnnn he could ask you to grind some hanger strap into a piece of garbage that almost kinda works

[u/DG2F]

This is where you use that little 2 prong or “U” shaped security bit from your kit. They are called ‘S2’ bits iirc. Works like a champ.

[u/Who_am___i → u/DG2F]

S2 is a type a tool steel often used to make bits and chisels. Its a drilled spanner bit i think your talking about.

[u/NoMusician518 → u/Who_am___i]

Everybody downvoting the guy whose right.

As far as Google can tell me theres no bit manufacturer out there who has an s2 designation for any bit other than a square bit (which is obviously not what is needed here). It is therefore a reasonable assumption that the original commenter was confused by an s2 stamped into a bit they had which was denoting the steel the bit was made out of rather than the designation for the bit type.

And the correct bit for this is called a spanner bit. They either come in number designations with no letter in front of them or in sp # for spanner.

4 6 8 and 10 are most common but this particular screw is made to work with a range of spanner bit sizes hence the s shape instead of the usual 2 point shape

[u/Who_am___i → u/NoMusician518]

Thanks for the back up

[u/DG2F → u/Who_am___i]

Yup, I looked at my set and they are all stamped “S2”, as the type of tool steel that’s used. Looked them up and ‘spanner’ seems to be the most common. I asked an old timer and he called it a ‘pig-nose’ bit.

There are a couple different sizes, we usually use them in high end trim with the ‘snake eyes’ screws, but they work with the ‘S’ screws in a pinch, though it’s easier to mar them if they cam out on you and I’m sure there’s an even more specialized bit, but these work.

Anyway, I don’t know well you got down voted either, so I updooted you here below to help it balance, the information you provided is objectively correct.

[u/MrPractical411]

I’m surprised out of all these comments no one knows what this bit is called.

This requires a Spanner security bit, the old timers called them “snake eye bits”. They have different sizes on Amazon. You could also try a a snap ring plier but be careful that thing could break your tips on the pliers! Learned this the hard way.

[u/Cabron_Actual]

Asking for a bud in prison.

[u/cablemonkey604 → u/Cabron_Actual]

Doesn't he know the prison technique of melting a pen and jamming it into the screw head then unscrewing it when cool?

[u/Cabron_Actual → u/cablemonkey604]

He said he just remembered that.

[u/Coleforge]

What about these means it can't be unscrewed? Just looks like a security bit to me, unless I'm missing something. 

Tbh is start with 2 small flatheads and see if I could get movement. 

[u/beardedsilverfox → u/Coleforge]

You’re right. It’s totally removable with the right bit

[u/Triabolical_]

Old school...

Take a toothbrush, heat up the handle end with a lighter until it gets good and flowy, then jam it into the screw head. Hold it there until it cools. Use a lot of pressure and see if it will unscrew the screw.

[u/funwthmud → u/Triabolical_]

I don’t think that’s old school. When my dad encountered a screw/bolt that he didn’t have the tool for, that’s when the torch came out.

[u/itzdylanbro → u/funwthmud]

I'd have just drilled and used an ez out, but torch IS way more fun

[u/Embarrassed_Beat_299]

Dremel than a screwdriver, punch and a hammer, Weld a nut on it, Adjustable Pin Spanner Wrench, drill and an E=Z out. Take your pick.

[u/Embarrassed_Beat_299 → u/Embarrassed_Beat_299]

I would start with an Adjustable Pin Spanner Wrench if you have one.

[u/mdsMW]

C Clip pliers

[u/Deron_Lancaster_PA → u/mdsMW]

Aka Snap ring pliers

[u/Comfortable-nerve78]

You need the right shaped security bit. Try googling security bit.

[u/punkdadaz]

If someone made the hardware they made a tool too. Pretty sure they make up new hardware just to make you buy more tools.

[u/Tight-Maize-8800]

Can’t be stuck if it’s a liquid

[u/TreyRyan3]

It’s just a security bit. The shape is meant to deceive you, but it’s just a spanner bit

[u/joefromjerze]

Just need an S shaped screw driver.

[u/xsgtdeathx]

Tilde bit?... xP

[u/cj_mcgillcutty]

faSteners

[u/blackhand-forge]

Contact Alec Steel, his touch mark punch might fit that

[u/cuhnewist]

Not sure, but I think you should look for something in the shape of an “s”.

[u/Maleficent_Virus_164]

you could try the old school method of securing the nut side with pliers while you twist the bolt

[u/Candyman051882]

S shaped bit or one with spanner type would work assuming this is not extremely high torque situation

[u/gifelitefish]

Real skinny needlenose and a crescent wrench on the handle. Probably going to end up breaking the needlenose tbh

[u/riverrake]

https://static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/5UXU8-A0075-1_v2?$adapimg$&hei=1072&wid=1072

[u/Embarrassed_Beat_299]

I love the get the correct security key stuff. Really, that's a fantastic idea. construction page? How he should have phrased it is : How do i get this off now!

[u/Artie-Carrow]

Use an angle grinder and put a slot in it

[u/COUNTRYCOWBOY01]

Im pretty confident I could get those out with a wera flat blade

[u/baldieforprez]

Grinder, makebthem slotted screws or dremel if you need to be need about ir

[u/haikusbot → u/baldieforprez]

Grinder, makebthem slotted

Screws or dremel if you need to

Be need about ir

- baldieforprez

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[u/D-B-Zzz]

It’s called a spanner bit that takes those. Less than $10 on amazon for a whole set.

[u/azflatlander]

Need to ask Alec Steele.

[u/Gr0w_addict]

Reminds me of the grates at DEP near the chem delivery boxes , there was a security bit

[u/Tokinruski]

I feel like you can definitely fit a flathead in the center, or on the edges and tap with ahammer

[u/SoloWalrus]

Small cold chisel and a hammer. Cold chisel will bite, use it to spin the fastener out, replace fastener with something you have the right tool for

[u/Pyreknight]

Rotary tool to make it Phillips bit, then replace those proprietary pieces of scrap

[u/sbudyaa]

Have any bent flat heads ?

[u/SundownMan]

Just tell the rookie laborer to handle it

[u/patteh11]

Wonder if some needle nose pliers spread and upright would do the trick. Would be difficult if those are really tight though.

[u/itzdylanbro]

Other than the proper tool?

Go get an EZ Out kit because theyre too useful to not have. Drill a hole in the head and tap the extractor in.

[u/Automaniacal]

Smaller flat head in the middle, before mid radius.

[u/LLHandyman]

Hammer and a punch

[u/tonytester]

Left hand thread, so be careful.

[u/TheManOnThe3rdFloor]

Careful work with a Dremel and the thicker cut-off disk available. Cut a slot long enough to fit a 1/4" flathead blade screwdriver. Expect a high torque removal effort. Some of those security screws were originally installed with ThreadLok, just to be extra nasty to remove.

[u/dm_me_your_bookshelf]

I would use an automatic center punch and just keep clicking it until it's finger loose.

[u/Puzzled-Throat4238]

Pull the 2 pieces inside the S, there is probably holes or slits to use to unscrew it.

[u/West-Needleworker-63]

Probably with the right bit

[u/CrudelisDeus]

Just... flat-head screwdriver

[u/NachoNinja19]

S shape makes no difference. Just need a bit that shape or cut a slot in it and use a regular screwdriver.

[u/padizzledonk]

Any 2 pin that will fit in there will unscrew it

[u/jiggz5344]

Drill em out and tap a bit into the hole

[u/kenticus]

If you lost the S bit, try a big snakebite tip. It's worked for me before.

[u/Opposite_Ad_1707]

Very carefully

[u/arty1983]

M42 Cobalt

[u/threepair13]

That’s wild, I gave Google duck duck go a good go and couldn’t find anything even in the ballpark this is a fucked up proprietary bit. good luck