Removing Fasteners with Over-sized Slots

[NoSkills]

Is there a special tool for removing over-sized slotted fasteners that are not designed for regular straight-blade screwdrivers?

As an example, beow is a pic of the pop-up tub drain plugs used in my bathrooms, but I seem to run across other applications on occasion. Even my largest straight-blade screwdriver (5/16") easily cams out and boogers up the soft metal, even with lots of down force applied.



I don't think a coin driver will work well since they have a radius on the tip. I'd rather not have to cobble something up if there is tool that will work. I know, first-world problem, move on with life, etc, etc!!!

Appreciate any input!

 

[budget76]

handheld impact driver bit - the largest flathead one. still too small?

 

[Bubba Fett]

You can get larger screwdrivers, but most brands cap out at 3/8". I believe Klein and Felo offer a 1/2" driver.

Otherwise, a drag link socket might be the way to go.

 

[Farleyfan]

1/4" bit driver set, They usually have a flat blade type that fits those "shallow" slots pretty good.
These are the hollow ground type im talking about, there not on a taper like a regular screwdriver tip.

 

[NoSkills]

Thanks for the replies! A drag link socket would be the cat's meow, but a quick Amazon search shows them to be surprisingly expensive, especially for this goofy one-off use. The suggestion for an impact driver bit is looking pretty good. I see you can get bit sets that go up to 1/2" or so, and the flat blades appear to be hollow ground. So, that looks like a promising avenue.

 

[NoSkills]

.....also gives me somewhat of an excuse to get a 3/8" hand impact driver, which I've thought would be handy to have around for a while now.

 

[ShuhornGarage]

Depends on the access & portabability of your part, maybe consider drilling a hole in the screw & using an easy out?

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Grab small piece of scrap metal of appropriate thickness to match slot. Cut, file or grind to shape to fit into recess. Grab it with vise grips and turn screw out.

 

[Steve_P]

You can modify an inexpensive Dzus fastener tool. The Japanese make the specific tools though; I have this one:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B0095PIAF8/

 

[KnurledNut]

I have a #18-20 slotted I would probably try first.
They are commonly used for hurricane shutter fasteners also known as sidewalk bolts.
Mine is Eazypower brand.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2247730803...1291&msclkid=3d26b71134281d258940d4c50ec3ce37

 

[The Cobbler]

I've ground wood spade bits and used an impact on things like that

 

[JimH74]

You want a Vessel 5700WP faucet driver. Haven't found a seller here in the US, but you can order from Amazon Japan or on the bay. I had it in my amazon.co.jp basket and was adding other small items to get the shipping down, but then Amazon has apparently changed how they compute their shipping fee.

 

[Cleary37]

I have a wera 10mm wide slotted I use for this. I got it from kc tool. It was dirt cheap and has the older hard handle. I think snap on calls these a marine plug screwdriver.

 

[WWheeler]

You want a Vessel 5700WP faucet driver. Haven't found a seller here in the US, but you can order from Amazon Japan or on the bay. I had it in my amazon.co.jp basket and was adding other small items to get the shipping down, but then Amazon has apparently changed how they compute their shipping fee.

ebay - $14.25 with free shipping from Japan, sales promotion ends later today

Pardon Our Interruption...

There's other ebay sellers for this item also, but that was the lowest price I saw.
Looks like a neat tool. I just ordered one myself.

 

[619DioFan]

Harbor freight sells a 6 piece over size screwdriver bit socket set ( 1/2 inch drive ) 3 slotted and 3 phillips. I have them and they work great. 14.00 , lifetime warranty.

 

[Daveyclimber]

I use a dime or penny with visegrips

 

[RTM]

I have a bunch of old brace screwdriver bits that are really wide for jobs like this. Not strong enough for a vise swivel nut, which needs a drag link, but otherwise works See the left side of this image, just to the right of the drill index. I have even wider ones elsewhere.

 

[KnurledNut]

@NoSkills
How wide is that fastener head?

 

[PMD1966]

You can get larger screwdrivers, but most brands cap out at 3/8". I believe Klein and Felo offer a 1/2" driver.

Otherwise, a drag link socket might be the way to go.

I have a collection of flea market and garage sale tools. When I need something different, I can grind, heat and bend these tools. Save my good tools that way.

 

[RichieP_MechE]

I have one of these for use with my photography/videography gear - lots of wide slotted fasteners on tripod plates.

PB 1387

www.pbswisstools.com

 

[RTM]

I have one of these for use with my photography/videography gear - lots of wide slotted fasteners on tripod plates.

PB 1387

www.pbswisstools.com

Do you keep that in the bag, or on the tripod?


Wood planes are another spot for short fat screws, thus this, with a ring to upkeep you on target.

Plane Screwdriver - Lee Valley Tools

www.leevalley.com

 

[NoahG]

These are the other options I know of:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AQMJTY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CA1HIQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Large Screwdriver

The largest in antique screwdrivery, this screwdriver is based on an 1904 patent by William Ward, but with several modern improvements. Each screwdriver is made from 1144 steel, is 10.5in/26.6cm long, and weighs 1lb/454g. The square shaft is 5/8in/1.5cm thick. The blade is 1in/2.5cm wide and...

www.handtoolrescue.com

 

[mslim]

I have one of these for use with my photography/videography gear - lots of wide slotted fasteners on tripod plates.

PB 1387

www.pbswisstools.com

I wish they had these when I was a First Assistant Cameraman. It always bugged me that the widest screwdriver I could find would ****** the slot in the brass tripod screw. I would imagine you'd make a little lanyard and clip this onto your belt or AKS bag.

 

[RichieP_MechE]

Do you keep that in the bag, or on the tripod?

I keep mine in my camera bag for the most part.

 

[NoSkills]

Great suggestions! As usual, GJ doesn't disappoint, and I learned some things (never heard of a faucet driver or hurricane bit before). While the fastener I started this thread about looks very large to me, after I measured it, it is only 3/4" in diameter, and the slot is about 1/16" wide and 1/32"+ deep. Its brass and very soft, but this is a low-torque application. Looks like a lot of the suggested tools have tips that are too thick, or at least it would be so close that I don't want to risk ordering a tool that may or may not fit.

In the meantime, I looked through all my 1/4" hex shank bits hoping to find one bigger than my 5/16" screwdriver. The largest I had was also 5/16" but it fit the slot much better. Weird. So I inspected the screwdriver tip and found that it is not perpendicular to the sides, it has a slight chamfer (almost looks like a chisel with a steep face), so it doesn't engage the shallow slot properly and cams out easily. This is an oh-so-common Craftsman acetate handle screwdriver from the '90's and has been used as a pry bar for 99.9% of its life. Tip wasn't damaged, just misshapen. So first order of business is to file the tip down and see if that does the trick. I also plan to get some larger bits for future use. I think 3/8" will do it, but I'd like to have additional larger options.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for the help!