Screw head identification (work related)

[Zhurdan]

I've got a "bunch" of screws that we need to remove from building sheeting. It originally had a plastic hex head on it, but they break off when you try to remove them. The pic below is what remains. It's like nothing I've ever seen and it won't come out all that nice with either a flat head or a modified phillips. Anyone have an idea of what it's called and what is used to remove/install them?
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r127/Zhurdan/weirdscrew1.jpg

We've got to remove 187,500 of these little buggers to remove and replace with a high corrosion hex head stainless screws. Any help/info on what this is and how to get them out would be helpful.

Thanks,
Zhur

[Mauser KAR98K]

For a second, I thought this was about an Anteater and Helmet contest.

[Zhurdan]

Nope, sorry. Just asking for help. The person with the answer will have my gratitude. :D

Being there are tons of smart people from all walks of life on here, I thought I'd ask.

[THCDDM4]

Zhurdan,
That appears to be a flower/crown head screw. Typically used in China and Asia as far as I know.

I'm not sure where you could purchase the drive necessary to remove/drive them in but here is a link with a flower/crown head wood screw; it might help put you on the path.

http://www.ecvv.com/product/2066776.html

Contact info:
Service Dept for Overseas Members
Tel: +86 731 89824048-608
Fax: +86 731 89824148
Mail: support@ecvv.com
Address: Rm.407, Software Bldg., No.662 Lugu Road, Changsha City, Hunan Province, P.R.China
Post Code: 410205
We are available to serve you between 8:30 am--18:00 pm (Beijing Time), from Monday to Friday, excluding the official holidays.



I've not seen nor do I know of a drive for sale in the USA for such a screw.

May I ask what these screws are/were used for, what application?

[chadbag]

Try emailing the customer service department of some fastener companies and see if they can ID it. They may have tools to remove them as well.

I did a quick Bing search but was no go.


---

[AR15barrels]

May I ask what these screws are/were used for, what application?



I've got a "bunch" of screws that we need to remove from building sheeting.
We've got to remove 187,500 of these little buggers to remove and replace with a high corrosion hex head stainless screws.

I'm gonna guess they hold the sheetmetal skin on a large steel building based on the sheer number of them and the fact that they had plastic heads.
I'm also gonna guess that the screw head above was NOT the drive method, but that the disintegrated plastic heads were used to drive the screws in during the initial installation...
That would mean that the screw head we see above is simply a pressed crown for the injection molded plastic to mechanically lock to.

[Zhurdan]

Try emailing the customer service department of some fastener companies and see if they can ID it. They may have tools to remove them as well.

I did a quick Bing search but was no go.


---

In progress to four different places, two have no clue so far.

[Zhurdan]

I'm gonna guess they hold the sheetmetal skin on a large steel building based on the sheer number of them and the fact that they had plastic heads.
I'm also gonna guess that the screw head above was NOT the drive method, but that the disintegrated plastic heads were used to drive the screws in during the initial installation...
That would mean that the screw head we see above is simply a pressed crown for the injection molded plastic to mechanically lock to.

Indeed they are for a metal building. The plastic heads were supposed to be non-corrosive, which they are, but they just don't hold up well to the cold weather in Wyoming, nor the punishing heat (relative) of the summers at 8k feet elevation. They just deteriorated off the lock.

I can't imagine that their construction of the screw head in that manner is by accident though. There would be far better ways to anchor a plastic head to a screw so it's probably a multi use screw head.

[AR15barrels]

I know this is not what you wanna hear, but I would look into using a manual impact wrench and grinding a bit that fits into the screw head.
It should only take one or two wacks to pop them loose and then they should come out pretty easy.
I would also probably make another bit with a full circle around it for use in a screw gun that would help spin them out after they are loosened...

[Zhurdan]

Randall,
That's an option. We took the screws to a tool and die shop to see if they could come up with something.

The other, less time efficient method we thought of was one of those "back out" bits.

This is probably one of the weirdest bids I've ever put together. The materials for new screws is over $80,000!!! Pretty insane.

The other option we're quoting for them is to just put another screw just below the old one, but they "don't like" that option. Guess they got money to spend. hehe

Thanks for all your help thus far guys. I appreciate it.

[Clint]

I think this power grip set and a few cordless impact drivers will get you started.

Good Luck!

http://www.irwin.com/uploads/products/large/7-pc-power-grip-set-1159.jpg

http://www.irwin.com/uploads/products/large/bolt-extractors-802.jpg

http://www.irwin.com/tools/screw-bolt-extractors/7-pc-power-grip-set

http://www.irwin.com/tools/screw-bolt-extractors/bolt-extractors



http://www.blackanddecker.com//ProductImages/PC_Graphics/PHOTOS/DEWALT/TOOLS/LARGE/8/DC827KL_1.jpg

http://www.dewalt.com/tools/cordless-impact-driverswrenches-drivers--wrenches-dc827kl.aspx

[An Undocumented Worker]

The proper tool to remove those is a pair of vice grips.

[Icculus]

...
We've got to remove 187,500 of these little buggers...


The proper tool to remove those is a pair of vice grips.

187,500 screws with vice grips? Have fun with that.

[markm]

187,500 screws with vice grips? Have fun with that.

I'll send him 187,500 Illegals from my state to get the job done!

[davidjinks]

OP

I just talked to the site superintendent, head foreman and the head mason here on my job site.

They all agree that is it a security screw to prevent theft of the siding or illegal entry by removing screws and entering in through the siding.

You can go to lowes or home depot and get the bits used to remove them. If not there, contact the company that manufactures the siding and they should have the proper bits to remove them.

[sadmin]

I'll send him 375000 Illegals from my state to get the job done!

El Dividio y Conquero!

[AR15barrels]

I'll send him 187,500 Illegals from my state to get the job done!

Wait, take mine first!

[Suwannee Tim]

That's an oddball for sure. These "slotted bits with screw guide" (http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-screwdriver-power-bits/=iw7u3h) are not designed for that screw head but might work. The DeWalt impact driver is a good idea but the Irwin sockets will be too large.

[rljatl]

Probably not exactly what you need, but they might work.

1. http://www.cmlsupply.com/security-tamper-proof-screwdriver-bit-set-33-pcs.html

2. http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/inffastener/infoneway.html

3. Cut the head off with a sawzall.

[Suwannee Tim]

Correction, the smaller Irwin nut busters may be just what you need. I have the larger sockets and they are very effective.

[3 AE]

Zhurdan, I can't tell the actual diameter of the screw head by your photo, but I'm looking at a large Phillips screwdriver bit. I'm thinking if you ground off the tapered portion of the tip, what remains would fit into the tapered slots of the screw head in question. If it fits, then you can just chuck it into a drill and go from there.

"187,500 screws in the wall, 187,500 screws, we got one out and started to shout, 187,499 screws in the wall.........!" Good luck!!!