Last Updated on March 17, 2024 by Umer Malik
Sometimes, using regular screws for your project won’t cut it.
These kinds of projects are where security screws shine bright. However, when it comes to implementing new hardware, you’ll want to make sure that you’re familiar with how it all works and how to remove them if needed.
When asked, “what is a security screw?” or “how does this security screw work?” it’s generally best to compare them to regular screws that most people are familiar with. Keep reading for our full breakdown of everything you need to know about security screws.
Table of Contents
Security Screws 101
Screws, nuts, and bolts with unusual drive types are tamper-proof fasteners.
It is common to employ tamper-proof fasteners in areas where an assembly is open to the public as a measure to dissuade or prevent damage. When you use tamper-proof security screws, they have an unorthodox drive, making tampering more difficult, if not impossible, without the correct driver.
Pros employ tamper proof security screws in public restrooms, notably in the barriers between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom. You can use security screws to keep things like gutters, registration plates, grills in prisons, schools, boats, and automobiles from being tampered with. Other applications include food preparation and processing.
Unconventional Drive Styles: What Exactly Is It?
Let’s get one thing straight, if you don’t have the proper security Bit or Driver, you can’t install or remove a non-conventional drive.
Now, let’s take a look at what makes these drive styles unconventional in the first place.
What Is the Drive on a Screw?
To secure the screw in place, you must use a specific tool to fit into a corresponding recess in the head of the screw. Pozi, Phillips, Slotted, and Socket are just a few of the more well-known screw-drive types (also known as Allen Key).
One of the most important factors to consider when selecting screws is the drive.
How Does a Security Screw Drive Differ?
It’s more common for security screws to have unique drives. Special security tools are required to attach and unfasten Pin TX and Pin HX security screws, which have a regular Torx or socket drive but have a pin in the center that inhibits the use of standard tools.
If you’re not searching for them, you may have seen them and not even noticed the pin.
Some security screws feature a whole new sort of driving mechanism. A specific tool is required to install 2-hole security screws (also known as pig-nose fasteners), for example.
These screws feature two holes in the head that you may adjust at varying distances. As before, you may use specific tools to attach and remove these devices.
You can install some security screws with standard tools, such as the clutch and sentinel drives; however, the drive design on these kinds of screws enables people to install but not remove them (these are known as 1-way security screws).
One Way Screws: The Basics
As a result of their driving method, One-Way Screws (also known as Irreversible Screws or One-Direction Screws) are security screws. With its slotted drive, this screw can induce cam out as soon as long as you drive it in the wrong direction.
These quadrants are elevated to accept the driver bit when the screw is turned right and reject it if the screw is turned left. With the One Way drive, you can install screws with a conventional slotted bit, but you can’t remove them without a particular bit or tool developed for the purpose.
Bathroom fixtures and partitions, license plate frames on automobiles, wall or floor mounted safes, where tampering after installation becomes a security problem are all examples of places where the use of One Way Screws is frequent.
To prevent theft or vandalism, all tamper proof screws are often used. This is because removing the screw without the appropriate unusual bit is difficult, if not impossible. Because One-Way Screws are so tough to remove, only use them for long-term projects.
Spanner (Snake Eye) Security Screws
Pros use a spanner bit to install Spanner or “Snake Eye” security screws. Because of the two-dot driving method, Spanner Screws are people often refer to it as “Snake Eye.”. Gutter guards, registration plates, grills in schools, yachts, and automobiles are all examples of items you may secure with spanner security screws to prevent them from being tampered with.
Other applications include food preparation and processing. In public restrooms and other areas where security is a concern, security screws are a common sight.
One must use a spanner bit, which fits into each of the screw’s two driving holes, to install or remove spanner screws. To install or remove spanner screws, you need a spanner bit. This makes the screws very difficult to manipulate.
Read also: Quick Fit Seamless Conveyor Belt Lacing Mechanical Joint
Torx (6 Lobe with Pin) Security Screws
Pin security drive Torx® is only driven by security bits and pros use it to prevent tampering or theft.
These screws have six lobes or a star drive with a central pin, which you can identify. The pin prohibits traditional screwdrivers and grasping devices from interfering with the initial installation. It provides extra tamper resistance.
Tri-Groove Security Nuts
The tapered diameter of Tri Groove security nuts makes them resistant to grasping devices.
A particular Tri-Groove socket is used to spin the nut along a thread by gripping the indentations on the exterior of the fastener. T-Groove, Trident Drive, and Cone Trident Drive are all other names for Tri Groove nuts.
Nuts provide a high degree of security since you can’t remove them without causing damage.
Exploring Security Screw Bits
Some can be removed, while others cannot, and security screws are the latter.
Other “premium” security fasteners may cost a little more but provide more security and complete traceability, while others offer a lesser degree of protection at a cheaper cost. We hope that our guide has shed some light on the world of security screws.
And, if you’re looking for more information on premium hardware options, you can check out our business and products sections for all the tips and explainers you could need.
