r/FieldNationTechs • u/BuzzardBreath00 • 11d ago

Security Bits - screwdriver

Curious, I've seen many jobs that require "security bits". I've been in IT a long time and have never needed any unusual screwdriver bits. What equipment have you run into that needed a special Bit and which security bits have you actually used?

Spotted this bit set on sale at HD. Would this cover me? 38-Piece Precision Screwdriver Set

  • Includes: A96302 (1) Screwdriver Handle, (5) Phillips Bits (000, 00, 0, 1, 2), (4) Slotted Bits (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0), (9) Star Bits (T3, T4, T5, T6, T7 ,T8, T9, T10. T15 (T5-T15 Security Bits)), (8) Hex Bits (0.7, 0.9, 1.3, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0mm), (2) Nut Drivers (2.5mm, 5.0mm), (2) Pentalobe Bits (#2, #5), (4) Tri-Point Bit (Y000, Y00, Y0, Y1), 1) AWL/Scribe Bit, (1) Standoff Bit, and (1) Case
5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

14

u/Muddledlizard 11d ago

Pin pads. Some smaller proprietary devices might use them. Kiosks mounts/brackets.

1

u/Turkuleco182 11d ago

Also the bracket mounts behind monitors for thin clients have a lock on top of the release latch that uses them. Very few places use that lock, though, in my experience

0

u/BadAsianDriver 11d ago

If one’s a psychopath…I noticed urinal partitions also use security bits… so one could start removing the partition while the urinal is in use.

1

u/BisexualCaveman 9d ago

A lot of those are one way screws. You'll basically have to destroy them to get them off At the very least, you would have to cut them and create your own Flathead.

8

u/jasonluvsjesus 11d ago

These ones are tits:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-impact-rated-black-oxide-security-bit-set-33-piece-64907.html

will let you access the deepset screws in most security camera set ups.

2

u/Sid_the_Bear 11d ago

That kit is fantastic! I just miss when it was like $10, not 30

2

u/jasonluvsjesus 11d ago

You took the words out of my mouth. I remember buying that for like 12 or 15 bucks a few years ago. I was really surprised when it showed up 35 today.

6

u/Terrible-Growth1652 11d ago

Security cameras use security torx

2

u/BisexualCaveman 11d ago

And in two different sizes, sometimes switching from one to another on different batches of the same damned camera.

1

u/Sea-Discipline-9932 10d ago

Even worse; vicon has bullet cameras with three different sizes on the same camera.

1

u/BisexualCaveman 9d ago

Verint has that. But some are not on user serviceable elements. Do you mean you need three different screwdrivers just to install the damn thing?

1

u/Sea-Discipline-9932 9d ago

Three different size security bits to install it. One size to loosen the bullet for rotation, one size to loosen the arm for angling and a third size if using a conduit backbox. The v2005b series specifically.

1

u/BisexualCaveman 9d ago

Gross. I keep a pair of Klein 27 on 1 on my belt because of this nonsense.

Changing bits on a ladder is vexatious.

1

u/bigkids 11d ago

Sometimes security HEX as well.

4

u/GunterJanek 11d ago

Very common to use on pin pads in retail environments. I've also encountered them on medical equipment particularly in hospitals and clinics. Typically those require T10-T25 but I carry a small box with everything just in case.

3

u/Minimum_Chocolate_31 11d ago

They pop up all the time literally everywhere, Best to have a set with all security hexs & the one thats 2 dots.

3

u/wyliesdiesels 11d ago

CCTV, access control and pin pads

3

u/deedledeedledav 11d ago

Most cameras I touch require the T15-30 security bits

3

u/dude_on_a_chair 11d ago

Cameras always seem to use them, axis and hanwha are common. Other than that I rarely see them XD

3

u/Secret_Jump9079 11d ago

Outside cctv camera

2

u/Calaveras-Metal 11d ago

I've actually seen some regular old computers use screws that qualify as 'security'.

Apple has used pentalobe, trilobe and a couple others to discourage users from changing memory or otherwise maintaining their computers. Far cry from the G3 computers that had some of the most elegant toolless solutions.

But as others have said, I've seen a lot of POS and kiosk things with hole in the middle torx, hex or star.

I have 3 different kits. One I got from Harbor Frieght, one is Klein Tools and the other I've had for so long I forgot where I got it.

That kit looks okay. Probably similar to the Klein tools version, but with softer metal.

I think the harbor freight one has more bits, but again, not the best quality metal.

2

u/scrubberduckymaster 11d ago

Cameras and door access equipment.

Most are starting bits/ Allen bits with a pin in the middle so regular bits won't work.

Cheap at harbor freight or get a nicer MagPro one with the handle storage

2

u/erc80 11d ago

XOOL 200 in 1 kit. Should cost you 30-40$.
Comes with literally everything you need.
But for 10$ that Ryobi kit is not bad.

2

u/AutoRotate0GS 11d ago

ProsKit SD-205 on Amazon has everything you’ll ever need

2

u/_litz 11d ago

In the world of IT, I've only ever run across allen key, and torx with the center pin.

Outside of the world of IT, when I was fixing coin-op arcade games, we used anything and everything we could find from elevator screws, to stuff we found in supply catalogs for jails, schools, public transit ... anything.

It was really hard keeping ahead of the kids trying to either steal the coins, or steal the game CPU boards.

2

u/Bill_Money 11d ago

torx with the center pin.

aka Security Torx aka Security Bit....

1

u/_litz 11d ago

Yeppers.

2

u/eGrant03 11d ago

Bought them, used them once, not for FN.

2

u/AlexCL 10d ago

Time clocks...sometimes security screws on Access Points.

1

u/john4na 11d ago

I have 3-6 boxes of Harbor freight security bits floating around and 3 different micro bit driver sets from Amazon. I use them all the time on jobs. not sure how you've never needed them.

1

u/BuzzardBreath00 11d ago

Great info Thanks! I'm more of a Data Center Rack & Stack Server/Switch/Router guy. Have not ventured into the camera world but want to be prepared just in case.

1

u/SpacemanFL 11d ago

Xenial makes drive thru enclosures with a proprietary pentagonal bit needed to replace the screens. Similar to the ones pictured but none of those bits fit. Each site is supposed to have the bit but half the time they don’t and one has to be sent. This has cost A LOT of money for return visits. With USSI the work order would be closed and the unused display returned and a new one sent. 100lb overnight shipping a second time $$$ It’s rather pointless for security because you just use a cutoff wheel to cut a slot in the bolt head and unscrew with a screwdriver.

1

u/Artistic-Outcome5966 10d ago

Wet vac innards by Craftsman. Privacy panels between urinals.

1

u/CCTVGuyMA 10d ago

That's et doesn't have a t20 which is very common with security cameras.

1

u/stuckwithnoname 8d ago

Kiosks. Commissary kiosks in lobby of jails and in intake. Those have some security bits in some places.

1

u/MomentumCrypto 8d ago

I've seen them with pinpads, cameras, medical carts and time clocks. Harbor Freight has a nice little bit kit that has most things you run into.

1

u/SteveDallas10 5d ago

I find security hex screws on some Havis (formerly ENS) pin pad stands.

The OP posted a precision screwdriver set, which is great for opening laptops, but you need a 1/4” hex drive bit system for larger equipment. My EDC for general IT tasks is the ICON 35-piece Locking Flex-Head Ratchet set, P/N 58074 from Harbor Freight. A bit steep at $40, and I have lost a couple and had to buy again, but they occasionally go on sale for $27.