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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: ryanhaws on July 22, 2007, 05:47:45 pm

Title: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: ryanhaws on July 22, 2007, 05:47:45 pm
I recently acquired a few arcade games but a couple of them have bolts on the control panel that I don't know how to remove.  Does anyone know that the name of the special tool is that I need to remove these?  See picture.  Thanks.
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: Kevin Mullins on July 22, 2007, 05:52:10 pm
You need a set of "security" bits.
Most hardware stores should have a small set of them that would work for those.

Example:
http://www.action-electronics.com/ezpower.htm (http://www.action-electronics.com/ezpower.htm)
About the fourth set down opn that page would be a small set alot of places carry.
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: ryanhaws on July 22, 2007, 06:17:28 pm
Thank you so much!
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: FrizzleFried on July 22, 2007, 11:05:31 pm
Amazingly enough a quality flathead screwdriver of the right size will fit right in there and work decently enough to get all but the most torqued security screw off...
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: dynamite on July 22, 2007, 11:18:50 pm
or if you're lazy just open the control panel and undo the nuts under them. :dunno
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: bfauska on July 23, 2007, 01:37:17 am
Probably best to go with the appropriate security tip screwdriver, but since I've always enjoyed this story I'll pass it along here.  A friend of mine was doing some work installing or moving some signs on the walls inside of a prison, he had been assigned a helper from the residents of the prison and when he found that some signs had security screws he was going to come back the next day with the proper tools.  His helper informed him that if he heated the end of a toothbrush handle with a lighter and then pressed it into the security screw head he would make a custom plastic security driver for that style of screw.  I don't know if he did it or not, but the idea, and the fact that the convicts knew about it has always amused me.
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: severdhed on July 23, 2007, 11:07:21 am
i had some of them holding my marquee retainer in...nobody locally had the tools to remove them, so i put a reinforced cutting disk in my dremel and turned them into slotted screws.  worked like a charm and i didn't have to buy anything
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: knave on July 23, 2007, 11:49:27 am
I picked up a set of security bits for $2.99 at Harbor freight.  I've since used them quite a few times.  Plus it has some unique bit sizes that I didn't have before.

Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: ChadTower on July 23, 2007, 11:53:12 am
I don't know if he did it or not, but the idea, and the fact that the convicts knew about it has always amused me.

That's a common way to do it in a pinch... most people will use a bic pen as the shaft.  Not really a prison specific task.  I've never had much luck with that method but it does work.
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: WunderCade on July 23, 2007, 12:17:40 pm
Probably best to go with the appropriate security tip screwdriver, but since I've always enjoyed this story I'll pass it along here.  A friend of mine was doing some work installing or moving some signs on the walls inside of a prison, he had been assigned a helper from the residents of the prison and when he found that some signs had security screws he was going to come back the next day with the proper tools.  His helper informed him that if he heated the end of a toothbrush handle with a lighter and then pressed it into the security screw head he would make a custom plastic security driver for that style of screw.  I don't know if he did it or not, but the idea, and the fact that the convicts knew about it has always amused me.

The convicts know about it because security screws are commonly use in jails/prisons.
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: ChadTower on July 23, 2007, 12:19:31 pm

Being a security screw is a good way to earn a solid pension.
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: bfauska on July 23, 2007, 12:50:11 pm

Being a security screw is a good way to earn a solid pension.
:laugh2:

It actually made me laugh, so I figured I had to give credit and reply.
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: ChadTower on July 23, 2007, 12:51:53 pm

 :)

Stare at that pic for a few seconds... I bet if you zoom out he really has a closeup pic of the Loch Ness Monster.
Title: Re: How do I remove these bolts from the control panel
Post by: xmenxmen on July 23, 2007, 06:54:51 pm

 :)

Stare at that pic for a few seconds... I bet if you zoom out he really has a closeup pic of the Loch Ness Monster.

Are u sure it's not a fish eye?