Octagon recess head screw

[jeffsw6]

Thats very interesting how they are producing the screws with the 8 star heads. I wonder if they make a special bit for this screw that you can buy commercially?

That's the only explanation that makes sense to me. I got my ear talked off for about 20 minutes by a manufacturing engineer of some kind a few weeks ago. That guy knew more about screws than any man should! I was just trying to get specialty replacement screws for something his company makes and, no kidding, you needed an instruction manual to install or remove these screws. Apparently the reason for that is so robots could assemble the things instead of people, because the robots made only one bad unit per 800. Well, I'm sure that is good for the company, except when the customer needs to repair something and they break it worse because the stupid screws are somehow complicated and need to be "jiggled" when driving them. w t f?!

 

[MillWeld]

An octagon recess must be rare in the US. McFeely's didn't list it.

 

[JDgreen227]

An octagon recess must be rare in the US. McFeely's didn't list it.

I am a retired carpenter and have worked with all types of fasteners over a 45 year period plus worked on cars and trucks etc. but this was the first octagon recess head screw I have ever seen that I recall.

 

[JDgreen227]

Its a double square I believe.

Not really a true Robertson, more of an adaptation. It can be driven with a Square Recess or Robertson bit.

View attachment 271374

"Double square....?" Have never seen that expression before. Thanks for sharing the picture which is much better than the low quality one I posted.

 

[Scooby074]

"Double square....?" Have never seen that expression before. Thanks for sharing the picture which is much better than the low quality one I posted.

no prob. Its an unusual bird for sure. Robertson (square recess) are super common here, but Ive never seen a double square in use. I think its very specific to the trailer industry.

 

[J_J]

#2 Drive Bit For Exterior 8 Point Trailer Screws: Hickory Trailer Parts

They call this one a Haulmark style

8-Point Screw, 3/4" Haulmark Style

Excerpt:


called the company, and they said you can buy an expensive 8 point bit, or just use a #2 square drive, which is what they actually use in the factory so they don't have to buy the expensive bits.

 

[ETpilot]

I just got back from Honduras. While I was there I did some home and appliance repairs. On a coffee maker I was going to look at I came across this type screw. The screw was very small and secured into a recess in the coffee maker. I had to use a flashlight to see what type drive it had. Try as I may I could not find the right tool to remove this screw. I finally had to give up. Reading this thread I now know what type screw I was dealing with. I tried every tool except a square drive which was not available any way. Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

 

[Dmace]

All the fasteners on my 2003 SnoPro v-nose enclosed snowmobile trailer are the square head design with two squares 45° from each other. I use a square bit with no problems.

 

[JDgreen227]

I just got back from Honduras. While I was there I did some home and appliance repairs. On a coffee maker I was going to look at I came across this type screw. The screw was very small and secured into a recess in the coffee maker. I had to use a flashlight to see what type drive it had. Try as I may I could not find the right tool to remove this screw. I finally had to give up. Reading this thread I now know what type screw I was dealing with. I tried every tool except a square drive which was not available any way. Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

Glad it helped you, some time ago I was describing repairing a microwave where the back was secured with security type Torx screws and I complained about having to drill them out to remove the back, and then several members told me "you can get Torx bits to fit those screws" and I had no idea they were even available. This is what TBN is mainly about, sharing ideas and solutions with others.

 

[timswi]

I've found that they are coming up with all kind of Torx bit sizes just to keep us DIY'ers at bay..I just buy the tool...Ford was one of the first to use this on front calipers in the '80's...I beat them at that too.