3 SLOT "PHILLIPS" SCREW 2

[pardal]

Hi all fastener people.

Yesterday I found a 3 slot philips screw , each slot at 120 °.
Does any one what is it, where are the toll to handle it?.

It is a number 8 x 1/2" length.

Thanks

 

[TheBlacksmith]

What was the original application if known? I'm just guessing this may have been an attempt at making the device in question proprietary; where only the OEM manufacturer would have the correct tool to engage the fastener. Phillips and Torx fasteners work pretty well for no-slip machine driving of screws, I don't see any advantage in 3 slots other than limiting access to serviceable components such as an automotive EFI computer or emission controls.


Blacksmith

 

[pardal]

Yes the use is known, and nobody could make such a mistake.
It was at the electrical connection lid at a split air conditioner, of course that for a safety reason is a good place , but the OEM must supply a tool to handle it.
I had to dissambly all the unit and unscrew it with a plier from the inside.
I had it on my desk a proof .
Thanks

 

[MikeMilburn]

I noticed awhile back while on a plane (Dash-8) all the screws, at least all I could see, were 3 wing phillips....Mike

 

[Kenneth]

What you have is probably a fastener with a "Tri-Wing" recess. Do an internet (e.g. google.com) search for "Tri-Wing" (this is a trademarked name) and you will find a wealth of fastener and bit suppliers...

 

[pardal]

Thanks all you boys.

 

[pardal]

I do the searching, only I got was the bits to handle it.
Do you know who is the manufacturer of those screws?

 

[MikeMilburn]

Try

http://www4.thomasregister.com/red_search,

I did a quick search and came up with a few listings. The only thing I found was the words tri-wing had to be joined with a hyphen or else it wouldn't find a thing...Mike

 

[MikeMilburn]

Edit to above message, has to be tri-wing <U>screws</U>..Mike

 

[Kenneth]

Here's a few:

http://www.phillips-screw.com/licensee.htm

http://pbfasteners.com/capabilities_files/findex_files/capabilities.html

http://www.fastenersdirect.com/pdf/allproducts.pdf

(Fairchild Fasteners)

http://www.tamperproof.com/compinfo.html

If your required quantities are small, you may end up working through fastener distibutors rather than fastener manufacturers...

 

[forestry206]

Tri-wing fasteners were originaly developed for the Lockheed L-1011 Tri-Star aircraft built in the early '70s. They were one of the worst examples of modern technology to ever have been created. Typicaly, you would use a screw driver to install them and EDM to remove them.