MAKE Flickr photo pool member chrismetcalf has a mini-review of this $16 bit set, he writes –
Seriously, the last screwdriver bit set you will ever need. I’ve been looking for one of these for a long time. Besides all your standard philips, hex, Torx, and square head bits (in every imaginable size from tiny to gimungus) it also includes a whole ton of “security” bits, including those for secure hex, secure Torx, those crazy one-way philips-head screws you see in public bathrooms, and a few others I’ve never even seen before.
With this kit, you can take apart just about any piece of electronic hardware you’re likely to encounter. And it was only $16 at Fry’s. Definitely a must-have.
With this screwdriver bit set… I can take apart the universe – Link.
62 thoughts on “With this screwdriver bit set… I can take apart the universe”
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Hey I know what the tiny triangle is for. On some mc donalds toys they have weird triangle screws. If only I was in the US I’d buy one of these
The weird triangle screws also work for Nintendo Gameboys of some vintages. I know that my old GB Color had those kind of screws. I need to get this yesterday! I’ve needed Torx security bits for my xbox 360 controller.
I wonder if it’s got a tri-wing bit… Man, I wish there were Fry’s on the East Coast.
They’re called Triangle Recess (TP3). Not that smart, I just know how to use Google
Does anybody know if a similar set is available in the United Kingdom ?
anyone have an URL where I can order one? And a part number?
Link: http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4885740?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Mine’s on the way.
anyone have an URL where I can order one? And a part number?
I REMEMBER THAT HARBOUR FREIGHT HAS ONE OF THESE A WHILE BACK AND I THOUGHT IVE GOT MOST OF THESE IN MY TOOL BOX ANYWAY — BUT A BUDDY BOUGHT A SET LIKE THIS ( WITH A MINI HANDEL AND LARGE HANDEL– TO PUT THE BITS IN LIKE A SCREWDRIVER) FROM MAC TOOL AND IT IS REAL HANDY ILL HAVE TO LOOK AT HARBOUR FREIGHT CAUSE MAC TOOLS ( THIS SAME TYPE OF SET) IS ABOUT 80 BUCKS
DM
Oddly enough, a chunk of steel bar and a dremel tool will relatively easily get you any security bit you’re likely to need in short order.
Once needed one with three bumps that fit around the edge of the screw – ten minutes with a dremel and it came out okay.
Also available from this retailer:
http://www.jackstoolshed.com/product/BT-BX100/Ultimate_Compact_100Piece_Security_Power_Bit_Set__LIFETIME_GUARANTEE.html
here is the Harbor Freight set, it’s 16.98 with shipping:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91310
If you have a Harbor Freight near you, the set posted by Travis goes on sale every couple of months for $6-7. Be forewarned, however. I have already had two of my bits from the set break under light use! Still, a pretty good deal. I like the case.
Also seen at Toolmonger: http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/21/cheap-ass-tools-a-100-piece-security-bit-set-for-6/
That’s a pretty nice set, however I prefer the length of the bits in the following two sets. Nice for those times when you have little or no clearance.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200319665_200319665
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200180074_200180074
I saw an ad for some security bit set for like $15 that had the longer bits so you’d actually be able to get into those really recessed holes. I really thought I saw it on Make blog before, but I was never able to find it again.
I bought a similar set at Tacoma Screw, sadly the bits are too wide in most of the situations I need them for.
Like disassembling the wiimote.
Oooh, I love this set! Bought it at Fry’s a while back when I needed the triangle bit to open up my Nabaztag.
I got one from Cheaper Than Dirt last year, and they’re still available there — good if you’re in the mood to stock up on military surplus while you’re at it:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GNS033-47321-898.html
Here in Canada it’s against the law to let a Robertson driver fall into American hands, or even let them see the screws.
I love this set! Got it at TrueValue last year for like $12.99.
Yeah, the universe? Try taking apart a Mac Plus with one of these. Two torx screws recessed a good 7 inches in a hole barely bigger than these bits. Well, you can do it with the right bit, but you’ll also need a dremmel, and a long-shafted flat-head ;)
I’d also like to know if there’s a source for these in the UK!
I have this exact set, and has served me well for over a year now. I did, however, find this in one of the obscure corners of Fry’s, all by itself (which, if you notice, the whole store is like that at times), and it must have been mis-labeled, because it was only $5.00!
This, Precision Bit Set has GOT to be the one thing that I would never leave my house without.
It is worth every single PENNY of the $10 bucks that it costs. Forget the magnifier (give it to the kids) and the ‘flexible shaft’ which is barely useful. I don’t even keep them in the set anymore.
But this thing is FANTASTIC at getting little teeny tiny screws out. It’s the only set that I have seen or will use on my micro RC cars… And I have bought so-called ‘hobby grade’ sets with ‘hardened Titanium-Nitride coated shafts’.
Those sets work, but I paid 5 times as much, and for 6 sizes of bits–and only in hex heads.
the harbor freight set linked only has larger sized bits but they also have a set of really small bits for taking apart cell phones and stuff, so be warned the red security set will have large bits and a smaller orange set with a green screw driver will have your o so important small bits ( I have both :D ).
You can buy a similar kit at ACE for around that price. I think it’s 100 bits.
what no triple square bits… looks like only some of the universe can be taken apart.
Last? yeah, until you find a screw that sits really tight and has the hole loose. Then you wonder what gives in first, the screw, the screwdriver or you. Often the screw wins, the screwdriver loses.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com and http://www.partsexpress.com has all kinds of these sets cheap
I have a similar (but smaller) set I got at Princess Auto on sale for $5.
Sadly, there’s no Princess Auto in Montreal where I live )-:
I bought a suspiciously similar kit at KMS Tools in the Coquitlam, BC, Canada area – it looks identical, aside from the packaging. One bit broke, but it wasn’t really its fault – the screw was just insanely strong and TIGHT.
The one thing is that it doesn’t go *really* small. I have to buy another one to take apart my Palm handheld, and the tri-wings don’t go small enough for cell phones. I’d still recommend it though.
RE: one of the first comments about a triangular driver: I haven’t tried this, but my friend once filed down a robertson (square) to take apart McDonald’s toys and it worked