These are screwed into the window frames of my house holding on the burglar bars. I want to take them off to clean and paint and then reinstall.
I think this is a TP3 or "trilobe" headed screw, But I'm not getting much luck on web searches finding the appropriate bit for them. Is there another name for them in common use that might help me find the right bit?
Can buy them off the shelf at bunnies... Look for a Stanley kit and get all kinds of cool bits for undoing other stuff...
Well, Bunnings only had a tiny little one inside a set of thirty different types. They said I'd have to contact the company that installed the bars.
I think I'll get an old bit and grind the shape into the end.
Cut straight slot and use a standard screwdriver ............. no one will even know what that is these days !!!
I'd use an easy out to remove it then match the thread with some other form of tamper proof bolt.
Select to expand quotemitchbat said..
I'd use an easy out to remove it then match the thread with some other form of tamper proof bolt.
+1
^^^ yep that's the one I saw. Needs a bigger one. I can't find one of these on ebay yet either. There are several dozen of these to take out if I am going to do the window frames properly and re-install them again afterwards so I need a proper bit, preferably a long one...
Tools required.
1. Angle grinder with thin blade.
2. Wide slot head screwdriver (head needs to be much wider then the trilobe head).
Neatly grind in a slot across the head of the screw.
Slowly loosen screw head.
Tip: you want the flat head to neatly fit into the slot you grind out. You only get 1 crack at getting it right.
Select to expand quoteNewScotty said..
Tools required.
1. Angle grinder with thin blade.
Neatly grind in a slot across the head of the screw.
"I need a proper bit, preferably a long one..."
sounds like access is tight - so an angle grinder might not fit in the space.
stephen
Where are you in QLD Shifu? Call in and you can borrow one...but I was only able to get short ones.
Select to expand quotecrakas said...
Where are you in QLD Shifu? Call in and you can borrow one...but I was only able to get short ones.
Most security bits are short.
Just need an extension for about 10 bucks
Trying to cut a slot for a standard screwdriver may not work, looks like stainless steel, a very soft metal.
If it was me I'd get a trilobe, torx or hex bit, and grind it until it fit properly. Then use extensions to be able to get in there with a drill on the other end.
I've done this before for other types of security screws.
For the few screws that you'll massacre I'd get in there with a dremel and cut a flat slot, then use a slotted screwdriver.
If it was me, I would just get a MIG and plug weld something in there.... there would be splatter everywhere and damaged glass, but at least you would get that screw out. 
Or I would grind up something from a drill bit, which I think someone else already mentioned.
