removal of tamper proof deck screws

[mmsheb]

Long story short - I dropped my keys and they fell into the slot between two composite deck boards on the front steps at a local place of business. I tried to fish them out with a wire but the slot is too narrow to really fish around much. The owner said they used tamper proof deck screws so they wouldn't loosen. He said the only way to gain access is to cut the deck board, get the keys, and replace the deck board with new. That sounds expensive to me, and I figure there must be a way to remove the screws. There isn't any side/front/back access to these steps. The fishing approach or somehow removing the screws is what I'm thinking? What ideas does anyone have?

Thank you!

 

[koditten]

Are they the torx head screws with the pin in the center? You can buy the bits that fit those heads.

 

[rlitman]

If the slot is wide enough for keys to fall through, it is large enough to fit a cell pnone endoscope camera. Those have hook attachments for retrieval.

Have you got a picture of the screw head?

 

[like2wheel]

The owner said they used tamper proof deck screws so they wouldn't loosen.

Haha gotta laugh at his logic.

But like koditten says, most types you can buy a bit for.
Maybe take a picture of a screw, but make sure you don't drop your phone

 

[CJM8515]

Magnet on a stick?

 

[RVDan]

Make sure you collect all the loose change while you’re under there.

It depends what kind of tamper proof screws they are. If they’re one way slotted screws they aren’t coming out without cutting a deeper slot in them or welding a nut to them.

Every other kind you can just buy the correct bit.

 

[kelpaso1]

Why the hell would you need tamper proof screws on a deck? Scrappers and meth heads stealing that **** now?

 

[Farmall450]

Why the hell would you need tamper proof screws on a deck? Scrappers and meth heads stealing that **** now?

I'm guessing some handyman was talking up the $20/box screws he sold the guy (after markup). My guess is they're torx or security torx.

OP, use your eyes. Or phone camera. Buy a matching bit. R&R.

 

[mmsheb]

OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look at the heads (photograph them) and find the proper tool to R&R. Didn't make sense to me why they used these screws here either. No reason as far as I could tell.

 

[ard]

OP, use your eyes. Or phone camera. Buy a matching bit. R&R.

7 posts in before THE MOST OBVIOUS COMMENT is made

 

[Farmall450]

OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look at the heads (photograph them) and find the proper tool to R&R. Didn't make sense to me why they used these screws here either. No reason as far as I could tell.

It's very typical to use screws on decks, especially newer composite ones. Drive better, hold better, can recess/self chamfer to be covered/plugged better, etc.

 

[like2wheel]

I'm betting they're just regular torx, & the contractor fed the property owner a line of b.s..

 

[robin1731]

Make sure you collect all the loose change while you’re under there.

It depends what kind of tamper proof screws they are. If they’re one way slotted screws they aren’t coming out without cutting a deeper slot in them or welding a nut to them.

Every other kind you can just buy the correct bit.

Even the one way slotted screws can be removed. You can buy a "kit" of tamper proof bits at Oreilly's I know. Probably other auto parts stores too. I took a set of public restroom panels down while remodeling at a 4-H building that used the one way screws. Using the kit from Oreilly's made removal pretty easy.

 

[rustyjames]

I'm betting they're just regular torx, & the contractor fed the property owner a line of b.s..

Exactly, regular Torx drive.

 

[cderalow]

Even the one way slotted screws can be removed. You can buy a "kit" of tamper proof bits at Oreilly's I know. Probably other auto parts stores too. I took a set of public restroom panels down while remodeling at a 4-H building that used the one way screws. Using the kit from Oreilly's made removal pretty easy.

even harbor freight has one for $10

https://www.harborfreight.com/100-pc-security-bit-set-with-case-62657.html

 

[ItsNemo]

We need pics of the screws...odds are they come up easily. The worst would probably be the cortex hidden screws with plugs, you'll destroy the plugs pulling those out.

 

[nh_yota]

Extendable magnet?

 

[Larryjones]

Drill and easy out is the answer. The heads are aceessable, right?

 

[JRC3]

I'm guessing...

I quit using Phillips. The only phillips screws in my screw-box are 1-1/4" drywall screws.

 

[CoogarXR]

Extendable magnet?

That's what I'm sayin'

 

[teamextreme]

That's what I'm sayin'

Except many keys are non-ferrous and a magnet won't work. Might work on a key ring. I'm not sure what they make them out of but I know I tried to stick a magnet to a standard Kwikset house key and it wouldn't stick. Not sure what they make those things out of. They sure feel like steel and don't seem like aluminum.

 

[rlitman]

Except many keys are non-ferrous and a magnet won't work. Might work on a key ring. I'm not sure what they make them out of but I know I tried to stick a magnet to a standard Kwikset house key and it wouldn't stick. Not sure what they make those things out of. They sure feel like steel and don't seem like aluminum.

Most keys for door locks are brass. Better ones (not Kwikset) are nickel-silver alloy. The brass ones in particular are nickel/chrome plated. In the past, the plating was to reduce corrosion in premium keys. But since California's proposition 65 has brought attention to the lead found in brass, many more keys are now plated, to reduce your lead exposure (which is minimal, but there is some exposure).

Cabinet keys, from cheap mass produced keyed alike locks are often steel.

 

[CoogarXR]

Except many keys are non-ferrous and a magnet won't work. Might work on a key ring. I'm not sure what they make them out of but I know I tried to stick a magnet to a standard Kwikset house key and it wouldn't stick. Not sure what they make those things out of. They sure feel like steel and don't seem like aluminum.

Yeah, I was talking about lifting it by the ring. I know most keys won't stick to a magnet.

 

[RKA]

You’re being fed a load of BS. You’re not the first person to drop something down there and you won’t be the last. My guess is the owner is hoping whatever you dropped down there you can live without and you’ll just go away. Go back outside normal business hours and ask him if you can retrieve your keys (don’t tell him how). Then grab your drill and selection of torx bits and pull up a board.

 

[wssix99]

I suggest going to Grainger, spend $6.50 on this tool, use it, get your key back, and then use it for 101 other things in the future:

https://www.grainger.com/product/19...kwcid=AL!2966!3!281733297998!!!g!471872133993!

 

[CJM8515]

the keyring will be steel.



or you can get the pick up tool another poster mentioned.

 

[mmsheb]

OK. Saturday afternoon I'll be going there to get my keys. You guys have filled me with several excellent ideas of how to get the job done. I'll give it a go and expect success. Thank you!

 

[dumper]

How big is your wallet? You only have to remove 1 board, probably held down by 4 screws. Heat the screws with a torch, then lift the board out- the threads aren't that deep.

 

[dogdog]

OK. Saturday afternoon I'll be going there to get my keys. You guys have filled me with several excellent ideas of how to get the job done. I'll give it a go and expect success. Thank you!

I am just here for the What the Heck is a Temper proof deck screw ? My google foo is weak on this one. I couldn't imaging a needed for that....

anything like these ? but they are not decking screws.

https://www.amazon.com/slp/tamper-proof-screws/j5gnz88jdury74z

Please post pic of that screw?

 

[James-W]

Long story short - I dropped my keys and they fell into the slot between two composite deck boards on the front steps at a local place of business. I tried to fish them out with a wire but the slot is too narrow to really fish around much. The owner said they used tamper proof deck screws so they wouldn't loosen. He said the only way to gain access is to cut the deck board, get the keys, and replace the deck board with new. That sounds expensive to me, and I figure there must be a way to remove the screws. There isn't any side/front/back access to these steps. The fishing approach or somehow removing the screws is what I'm thinking? What ideas does anyone have?

Thank you!

I don't understand this. Whether or not the keys can be removed by another means would not be a concern to me, I would want the keys back right now. I would do what the store owner said and removed the deck board, then replaced it. Isn't having your keys back worth the price of a new deck board? The longer the keys stay where they are, the more chance some enterprising person will figure out a way to get to them.

Depending on what keys are on the car key ring, there may be house keys, garage keys, work keys, who knows what else? I would want those keys back as soon as possible and if that means paying for a new deck board, so what?

 

[The Cobbler]

or is he mistakenly calling them that instead of hidden fasteners ?

 

[Marctrees]

A very entertaining thread.

Everyone knows anti tamper screws are needed to keep deckboards TSITE !!!

Where the hell is the eating popcorn emo whatever thing ????????????????????

Marc

 

[SALIV8]

id use a metal coat hanger and a flashlight.

 

[Shiftless]

A very entertaining thread.

Everyone knows anti tamper screws are needed to keep deckboards TSITE !!!

Where the hell is the eating popcorn emo whatever thing ????????????????????

Marc

I’m in for the pics of the tamper proof deck screws
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[Mustang1167]

Harbor freight has a bit set that includes security bits. Take a look to see if any match.

https://m.harborfreight.com/100-pc-security-bit-set-with-case-62657.html

 

[mmb617]

or is he mistakenly calling them that instead of hidden fasteners ?

That's what I'm thinking as well. Probably a Cortex type hidden fastener.

I just can't imagine a gang of roving deck thieves going around unscrewing and stealing deck boards. But what do I know? I also can't imagine anyone steals the partitions in public restrooms yet they all are assembled with tamper proof screws for some reason.

 

[CTyankee]

The only type of deck screw I can think the guy is referring to is a cortex type screw. The extra set of thread toward the head help pull the deck board down as opposed to just the head of the screw doing so. They are usually recessed and used with plugs. I certainly wouldn't consider them a 'tamperproof" screw though. What I have found will happen is, when you go to remove them, they will ****** the plug hole and more often will ruin the "invisible" look when you try an reuse the said hole. Cost/OCD may factor into whether you care or not. Of course, I may be way off base on all of this

 

[CTyankee]

That's what I'm thinking as well. Probably a Cortex type hidden fastener.

I just can't imagine a gang of roving deck thieves going around unscrewing and stealing deck boards. But what do I know? I also can't imagine anyone steals the partitions in public restrooms yet they all are assembled with tamper proof screws for some reason.

Maybe I should read all the other posts before I post..

 

[ItsNemo]

That's what I'm thinking as well. Probably a Cortex type hidden fastener.

I just can't imagine a gang of roving deck thieves going around unscrewing and stealing deck boards. But what do I know? I also can't imagine anyone steals the partitions in public restrooms yet they all are assembled with tamper proof screws for some reason.

LoL bored people on the crapper (especially in industrial places) like to pull the screws out or take them out just far enough that the next person that uses the facilities has the stall fall down around them.

 

[clubairth]

I really like the hidden deck board attachments. Makes it look so much cleaner with no visible hardware!

Surprised that a commercial place would even have screws showing?

I think this would also solve the tampering issue?
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