Pentalobe Drive: Sizes Not Standardized Across Brands!

[pizza]

i'm hoping to make a reference to compare pentalobe drive sizes across the major brands. if any can chime in with more datapoints, that would be great.

MacBook Pro/Air:
Wiha PL4 = PB Swiss 1.2mm = ifixit P5 = TS4

jPhone:
Wiha PL1 = PB Swiss 0.8mm = P2 = TS1


not sure about Wera yet, but they have 1.1mm and 1.4mm

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentalobe_screw#Sizes_and_measurements

These pentalobe, 5 point heads are not to be confused with Torx heads which have 6 points. A "IPR" designation identical to "PL" is sometimes seen due to the confusion. It is possible that ambiguous "TS" nomenclature is the same as the "PL" designation when referring to Pentalobe screws.

Apple simply refers to the screws by their millimeter dimensions. For example, the PL2 screw used on the lugs that hold the Apple Watch Band is called "Pentalobe 1.1".

----------

PB Swiss:
https://www.pbswisstools.com/katalogEN-ES/index.html#144
https://www.pbswisstools.com/katalogEN-ES/index.html#158
https://www.pbswisstools.com/katalogEN-ES/index.html#238

P0.8, P1.2

Wiha:
https://www.wihatools.com/products/precision-pentalobe-screwdrivers


PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, PL5, PL6

Wera:
https://products.wera.de/en/screwdrivers_esd_series_1573_pentalobe_esd.html
https://products.wera.de/en/screwdrivers_series_kraftform_micro_2067_torx_plus_ipr_micro.html





so basically they have 1.1mm (PL3... not for any apple products??) and 1.4mm (which kctool claims is TS5/PL5, maybe for some macbook batteries)

and IPR1 (PL1/P2) which is for phones

ifixit:

P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air

Compatible with the type 5IPR fasteners used on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro Retina Display laptops, and Toshiba drives. Professional, Made in the USA.

www.ifixit.com

P5

 

[Grokew]

The only thing I can say, is that Apple used wera torque screwdrivers in their kits. I only say this because I was checking the information on apple's website a few years ago, and saw the images.

Found this link for the PB Swiss

PB-direct

Prof-Tools - Professional handtools at a mouseclick!

pb-direct.eu

Description

Electronics screwdriver with turnable head for Pentalobe screws.

Size: P2, TS1, PL1
Blade diameter: 2,5 mm
Blade length: 40 mm
Total length: 133 mm
Weight: 14 gram

For: iPhone 4 (Late), 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7, 7 Plus


And the other one

PB-direct > PB Swiss Tools 8129.1.2-40 Electronics screwdriver, Pentalobe, 1,2 mm

PB Swiss Tools 8129.1.2-40 Electronics screwdriver, Pentalobe, 1,2 mm

pb-direct.eu

Description

Electronics screwdriver with turnable head for Pentalobe screws.

Size: P5, TS4, PL4
Blade diameter: 2,5 mm
Blade length: 40 mm
Total length: 133 mm
Weight: 14 gram

For: MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with Retina Display

 

[Grokew]

For the ESD Version

PB-direct > PB Swiss Tools 8129.0.8-40 ESD Electronics screwdriver, ESD, Pentalobe, 0,8 mm

PB Swiss Tools 8129.0.8-40 ESD Electronics screwdriver, ESD, Pentalobe, 0,8 mm

pb-direct.eu

Description

ESD Electronics screwdriver with turnable head for Pentalobe screws, electrostatically conductive, surface resistance 1 megohm to 1 gigaohm.

Size: P2, TS1, PL1
Blade diameter: 2,5 mm
Blade length: 40 mm
Total length: 133 mm
Weight: 14 gram

For: iPhone 4 (Late), 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7, 7 Plus

And

PB-direct > PB Swiss Tools 8129.1.2-40 ESD Electronics screwdriver, ESD, Pentalobe, 1,2 mm

PB Swiss Tools 8129.1.2-40 ESD Electronics screwdriver, ESD, Pentalobe, 1,2 mm

pb-direct.eu

Description

ESD Electronics screwdriver with turnable head for Pentalobe screws, electrostatically conductive, surface resistance 1 megohm to 1 gigaohm.

Size: P5, TS4, PL4
Blade diameter: 2,5 mm
Blade length: 40 mm
Total length: 133 mm
Weight: 14 gram

For: MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with Retina Display

 

[pizza]

thanks

The only thing I can say, is that Apple used wera torque screwdrivers in their kits. I only say this because I was checking the information on apple's website a few years ago, and saw the images.

you're right:

https://selfservicerepair.com/order

 

[Grokew]

thanks



you're right:

https://selfservicerepair.com/order

I'm surprised they still do. Cool

The insider mini has the same sizes as the other screwdrivers.
0.8-1.2 = P2 & P5

Now I want one.

Thanks.

 

[pizza]

as for wera...

Wera 030330 Kraftform Micro ESD Pentalobe Precision Screwdriver, PL3 (1.1mm) | Wera at KC Tool

Wera 1573 ESD Kraftform Micro PL3 (1.1mm) x 40mm Tip size: PL3 (Pentalobe 3) ESD safe Designed to reduce the fastening time and cost per screw connection The...

www.kctool.com

Wera 030331 Kraftform Micro ESD Pentalobe Precision Screwdriver, TS5 (1.4mm) | Wera at KC Tool

Wera 1573 ESD Kraftform Micro TS5 (1.4mm) x 40mm Tip size: TS5 ESD safe Designed to reduce the fastening time and cost per screw connection The spinning cap ...

www.kctool.com

wera calls these PL. PL1.1, PL1.4

kctoolco claims:

1.1mm wera = PL3
1.4mm wera = TS5

notice that neither of these are the common sizes for macbook or iphone. and yet wera is being used for the repair kits. wtf?

 

[tamaraw]

I worked at Geek Squad a few years back when we became the first company Apple-certified for iphone repair. Everything about the repair process was micro-managed by them.

Looks like they have now been forced to list the equipment publicly at that self service site you linked; I can confirm that those are the same exact tools we were issued including the Wera drivers/bits. Not to say that other brands couldn't work (not much experience there) but Wera is what Apple officially uses.

 

[pizza]

another odd finding...

2067 IPR TORX PLUS® Screwdriver for electronic applications, 1 IPR x 40 mm | Wera

products.wera.de

Wera 030160 IPR #1 Kraftform Micro Pentalobe Precision Screwdriver | Wera at KC Tool

Wera 2073 TX IPR #1 Kraftform Micro Pentalobe Electronics Precision Screwdriver Tip size: IPR #1 (Pentalobe 1, PL1, P2, FiveLobe #1) Fits iPhone 4, 4S, 5, ...

www.kctool.com

wera calls this "IPR TORX PLUS"

kctoolco says:
Tip size: IPR #1 (Pentalobe 1, PL1, P2, FiveLobe #1)
Fits iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, XS, XS Max, XR

is "ipr torx plus" another name for pentalobe? the ****? lol

 

[pizza]

well, as usual, i should have checked wikipedia:

Pentalobe screw - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

These pentalobe, 5 point heads are not to be confused with Torx heads which have 6 points. A "IPR" designation identical to "PL" is sometimes seen due to the confusion. It is possible that ambiguous "TS" nomenclature is the same as the "PL" designation when referring to Pentalobe screws.

Apple simply refers to the screws by their millimeter dimensions. For example, the PL2 screw used on the lugs that hold the Apple Watch Band is called "Pentalobe 1.1"

 

[lasagna]

fantastic post

 

[dukefx]

IPR is the torx plus security version of pentalobe so it should have a hole in it.

To clarify:
Torx: star shape, 6 lobes
Security / tamper proof torx: same as above with a hole in it

Torx plus: still 6 lobes (some people think they only have 5), cog shape

Here comes the tricky part, the pentalobe types
Pentalobe (non-torx): 5 lobes, flower shape, I've never seen one other than the shape on pictures
Pentalobe (torx): this is the one when people refer to "pentalobe", 5 lobes, star shape
IPR (torx plus): security version of the pentalobe, 5 lobes, cog shape

I made pics of the pentalobe and IPR. Unfortunately the pentalobe is so small that my phone didn't manage to properly focus, but at least one of the IPR photos I took are usable.

 

[garfieldzzz]

Nice collection.

IPR is NOT Pentalobe, its the 5 star Torx Plus desing as a security fastner and not compatible in any way. As stated above:
Usually IPR has also a pin in the fastners head.
So be careful with the reference to the Wera drivers as they are IPR
Wera mixed it up on their website, the symbol from the PL driver is actual IPR and i guess the small IPR sizes don't have a pin.

 

[dukefx]

Pentalobe means 5 lobes if you couldn't guess it based on the Greek "penta" prefix and IPR does have 5 lobes, and as I said it's a bit tricky since there are a few variants and a lot of confusion. It's like saying cross head and then saying idk... PZ or JIS aren't cross heads because a cross head is PH by deafult for little dum-dums, or a whale isn't a mammal because it's not terrestrial like most mammals.

This is suppoed to be *the* pentalobe (flower shape)
picture from wiki:


and this is the one used in practice (usual torx shape [but not actually torx] but only 5 lobes)
picture also from the same wiki page:

As you can see they are nothing alike and "in no way compatible" either.

I have an iphone right in front of me and it has the torx star type. The bits I have (and tried to take a photo of but couldn't due to lack of macro focus) are also star shaped and would fit the screws on the iphone, but this isn't *the* pentalobe, just *a* pentalobe.

Here is *the* pentalobe (which I've never encountered):


Pentalobes are quite confusing and I think manufacturers also mix them up hence the difference in sizes. Even the wiki states: A "IPR" designation identical to "PL" is sometimes seen due to the confusion. It is possible that ambiguous "TS" nomenclature is the same as the "PL" designation when referring to Pentalobe screws.

We really need a standard.

 

[Jack Ryan]

We really need a standard.

If there were a standard for the Pentalobe, it would cease to be a relevant drive. It was created to make it difficult to open Apple gadgets. Given the availability of drivers today, it is probably time for Apple to "invent" another.

Jack

 

[dukefx]

If there were a standard for the Pentalobe, it would cease to be a relevant drive. It was created to make it difficult to open Apple gadgets. Given the availability of drivers today, it is probably time for Apple to "invent" another.

Jack

That would have been true a few years ago, but now Apple is encouraging people to repair their stuff themselves (in hopes of screwing up and buying a new one of course).

 

[KnurledNut]

IPR is the torx plus security version of pentalobe so it should have a hole in it.

To clarify:
Torx: star shape, 6 lobes
Security / tamper proof torx: same as above with a hole in it

Torx plus: still 6 lobes (some people think they only have 5), cog shape
Security / tamper proof torx plus: same as above but with a hole in it

Here comes the tricky part, the pentalobe types
Pentalobe (non-torx): 5 lobes, flower shape, I've never seen one other than the shape on pictures
Pentalobe (torx): this is the one when people refer to "pentalobe", 5 lobes, star shape
IPR (torx plus): security version of the pentalobe, 5 lobes, cog shape

I made pics of the pentalobe and IPR. Unfortunately the pentalobe is so small that my phone didn't manage to properly focus, but at least one of the IPR photos I took are usable.

I dont believe their is a 6-lobe security torx plus.
All I have ever seen is the 5-lobe a.k.a. IPR.

 

[dukefx]

I dont believe their is a 6-lobe security torx plus.
All I have ever seen is the 5-lobe a.k.a. IPR.

You are right, I didn't remember correctly. I've removed it from my post. I think I have every possible torx type and size (at least up to size 70, don't know if there any larger) and I don't think I ever needed any Torx Plus so all my Torx Plus bits and reversible blades are still unused.

 

[Tallpilot]

Tamper resistant torx plus is a pentalobular design. The larger sizes have a hole in the middle. It seems that sizes below 8 do not which makes sense. I think IPR and pentalobe refer to the same thing.

I love tools but this fastener drive design standards war is out of control.

Is it possible that tool manufacturers are calling things PL because they don't want to pay the licensing fees to use TR Torx Plus?

What is the Difference Between Torx and Torx Plus

Find out more about the differences between Torx and Torx plus drive systems.

www.insight-security.com

 

[tamaraw]

That would have been true a few years ago, but now Apple is encouraging people to repair their stuff themselves (in hopes of screwing up and buying a new one of course).

They don't encourage anything. They were legally forced to make service more accessible with right-to-repair regulations.

Their answer is malicious compliance. "Ok, we'll ship you a giant pallet full of every tool and instructions but we'll bill you 10 trillion dollars if it doesn't get returned perfectly. Oh yeah, and we'll charge you basically the same as having a service center do the work but you get no warranty or extra parts. See, you can do your own repairs! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)"

As for the "screwing up and buying a new one", that's just a side benefit and not the main reason behind their policy switch. Heck, Apple has been pulling that at their own service centers or straight up lying to customers and calling things "impossible to repair" for years.

 

[dukefx]

Then it's far worse than I thought yet I'm not surprised.