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Thread: Electronic Timer for My Workshop Heater

  1. 03-28-2015, 4:17 PM #1
    Stew Hagerty's Avatar
    Stew Hagerty
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    Electronic Timer for My Workshop Heater

    I run a small space heater in my garage/workshop on cold nights to help boost the temp a little bit.
    My timer is an IIIWoods from colemancable.com and I bought it a couple of years ago on Amazon.
    Well as I was disconnecting it since I figured most of the cold weather is gone (yes,I quickly knocked on wood) I notices a rattle inside. It was working perfectly, but ever the tinkerer, I decided to open it up and find the rattley piece.
    Well... I can't get the sucker open! There are 4 screws holding on the back cover. Simple right? I can find a tool to remove the screws with. I have tried Phillips of various sizes, flat screwdrivers of various sizes, hex wrenches of all sizes and both metric and inch varieties. I've used my high-diopter goggles and more than one light source.
    The screws appear to be similar to a Phillips head, except there are only 3 wings, instead of 4. In all of my years, I have never seen a three pointed screw head. Flat slot, yes;4 point Phillips, yes; six sided depression for hex wrenches, yes; but a 3 point Philipsish , no.
    Any ideas?

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  3. 03-28-2015, 5:08 PM #2
    Mike Cutler
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    You are looking for Tri-Wing screwdriver, or screw bit. They are a "security" type screw. I have 4 sizes, 1-4, but I think a #1 would be a little big for your need.
    You should be able to get one at Sears, Harbor Freight, Walmart, Lowes ( maybe), or an electronic supply house.
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  4. 03-28-2015, 5:19 PM #3
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    Myk Rian
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    I have a set of 8 or 10 of them. A hole in the middle makes them the safety type. Automotive MAF sensors us them, among other uses.
    Torx is another name, but without the hole in the end.
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  5. 03-28-2015, 5:33 PM #4
    Mike Cutler
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    Myk

    I always thought the Torx drivers had six sides?
    I have a set of the safety/security drivers in all different forms. they've come n handy at times. BMW really likes to make you work, and spend some $$$, to take their cars apart.
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  6. 03-28-2015, 7:12 PM #5
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    Stew Hagerty
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    Quote Originally Posted by Myk Rian View Post
    I have a set of 8 or 10 of them. A hole in the middle makes them the safety type. Automotive MAF sensors us them, among other uses.
    Torx is another name, but without the hole in the end.


    I have a set of Torx bits,they have multiple points (I've never counted the number, and I'm not in the shop at the moment) around the exterior and they do make a safety version with a center hole to go over the central post on the fastener.

    But these fasteners are absolutely not Torx. I believe the one responder called them a tri-wing fastener. That sounds right to me because that is the one attribute that I could make out.
    "I've cut the dang thing three times and it's STILL too darn short"
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  7. 03-28-2015, 7:17 PM #6
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    It's called a Tri wing screwdriver
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  8. 03-28-2015, 9:28 PM #7
    Todd Willhoit
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    Nice little set here:
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009U6AB4?psc=1
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  9. 03-28-2015, 9:49 PM #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Todd Willhoit View Post
    Nice little set here:
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009U6AB4?psc=1
    Doesn't look like that set has any tri-wing bits. This one http://www.amazon.com/100pc-Master-S...s=vega+bit+set has just about every bit you might need.

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  10. 03-28-2015, 11:04 PM #9
    Jim Cook
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    I ran across the same screws on a heater I fixed last year. I drilled them out with a left handed drill bit. After a little drilling, the drill and the heat got them to turn loose and back out. Replaced them with standard screws after I fixed the heater.
    I wonder if your rattle is the safety switch that turns the heater off if it tips over?
    Good luck.
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  11. 03-28-2015, 11:37 PM #10
    Todd Willhoit
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    Quote Originally Posted by Clint Baxter View Post
    Doesn't look like that set has any tri-wing bits.
    Sure does: Tri-wing Screwdriver Bits #1, 2, 3, 4
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  12. 03-29-2015, 11:27 AM #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Todd Willhoit View Post
    Nice little set here:
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009U6AB4?psc=1
    Todd thanks for sharing this. I've been needing to fix a breaker plug on my wife's hair dryer and the screws are some little odd ball looking things with 2 holes in the screw head. I recognize the matching bits in the back row of this picture you posted, still don't know what they are called but place an order for the set. Thanks!
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  13. 03-29-2015, 11:32 AM #12
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    "Spanner bits" looks likes the ones I need, never heard of them before today.
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  14. 03-29-2015, 4:11 PM #13
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    I doubt there is anything inside you will be able to fix. In fact, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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  15. 03-29-2015, 11:36 PM #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Todd Willhoit View Post
    Sure does: Tri-wing Screwdriver Bits #1, 2, 3, 4
    Oops. Missed them. Looked at the picture and couldn't make out any. Didn't check out the detailed listing

    I do like that big set though. Looks like it has just about everything in it.

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  16. 03-30-2015, 12:15 AM #15
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    Mike Henderson
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    Lee Valley sold a set of "security bits" some time back and I bought a set. Never used it yet. I'll bet it has a tri-wing bit in it.

    I'd never seen a tri-wing screw before.

    Mike
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