Tom Walker wrote
 
---------------TORX
 
-> > I usually just take a replaceable Torx bit (the
-> > inch long ones) and use a hacksaw to cut a slot
-> > across the center of the tip, just deep enough for
-> > the pin to not bottom out, and just wide enough to
-> > clear the pin so the bit won't collapse inward and
-> > strip the points.
 
->   Good idea. Thanks. Although these screws are
->  pretty small. I'll have to see if I have a hacksaw
->  blade fine enough.
 
> IF the Torx Screw is Black forget it.
 
  Why black? Mine are silver... and -hard-.
 
  But what I think he's suggesting is cutting a
 slot in an ordinary Torx -bit-, not the Torx screw
 itself.
 
  Then the modified Torx bit can be used with
 those Torx screws with center pins.
 
> Those are VERY HARD material and will have
> little or NO luck cutting them with a hack saw.
 
> Now a thin cutting blade in a Dremmel Tool may
> work. But you would still have a prolbem with the
> 6/32 screws. They have a Very small Head.
 
  The Dremmel tool is an even better idea than a
 hacksaw, tho.
 
------------SECOND POST
 
-> > Back in the earlier thread, I had written that I
-> > burned up a high-speed drill bit trying to drill
-> > some of those things out from an IBM power supply.
-> > Those screw heads are made of _hard_ metal, and
-> > standard drill bit configuration doesn't do much
-> > cutting right in the center, where that pin is
-> > located. I probably had the drill press set at way
-> > too high RPM, and BIR about the time I noticed
-> > that the bit wasn't cutting anymore, I looked down
-> > and saw that the bit was now red hot. :-(.
-> > Needless to say, when I saw that I was a bit
-> > torked. (hee)
 
->  So I wasn't exaggerating when I called the
->  stuff kryptonite.
 
> NO you were Not. And concidering they are Supposed
> to be TAMPERPROOF it shouldn't come as a Supprise
> that they are made out of Special Hardned material.
 
  Yah, but this stuff is =HARD=!!!
 
 But another issue: I don't see the point of using
 the security Torx screws in stuff for private
 consumption -- unless their intention is to make
 the product unserviceable by the consumer -- or at
 least give you some hassle before you can do so.
 What I'm trying to fix is an ordinary kitchen
 mixer -- not some high voltage dangerous item.
 So what's the point?
 
 The only other place I've seen those screws used
 is in public places where they -might- reduce
 theft and vandalism. That I can understand.
 
 [Mike, is it a Torx screw with center pin used in
 the subways here? I'm thinking of the screws securing
 the frames of the poster ads. Or is it something
 else -- a sort of hex nut with center pin? Don't
 recall now.]
 

--- Maximus/2 3.01