window gates and air conditioners

[rm]

Roomie bought an airconditioner.

ONly one problem, our windows have those stupid window gates on them for preventing children falling out. We have no children though, so we're not legally required to have the gates. Only one problem, we can't get the damn things out -- they're screwed in with these weird screws, the head of which is neither philips or flat. It's closer to flat, but spaced absurdly wide. Sure, we could call building management, but trust me, around here that could take weeks.

Anyone know what I'm describing, and what the screwdriver type we need is?

Bad drawing:

http://pics.livejournal.com/rm/pic/000b72rw/
The parts in teh triangles are raised.

Comments

[ekatarina.livejournal.com]

Is it little squares? That's a Robertson or "metric" head. Sometimes they are combined with flat to make a very strange "diamond Saturn" shape.

Maybe call Building Management to borrow a driver?


Other than that I am all out of ideas.

Ekatarina

[rm.livejournal.com]

Bad drawing:

http://pics.livejournal.com/rm/pic/000b72rw/
The parts in the triangles are raised.

[ekatarina.livejournal.com]

Ah! And I bet they slope too, eh? Like little ski hills. Then they are the evil "one way" screws and must be drilled out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Screws_-_tamper_resistant_slotted.jpg

Power drill, bit the size of the shank (approximately) and a steady steady hand. Slowly push the drill through.

Oh! OH! On the other hand you could shear the heads off with a Dremel tool or other grinder! Maybe even a cold chisel and a biiiiig hammer?

Again "drat" as I have access here to the tools to do that.

So, my suggestions for fun in the summer sun are to grind the suckers off or chisel them off. Violent girl, aren't I?

Best of luck,

Ekatarina

p.s. I found this on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006G84JM/ref=nosim/104-2417011-5610322?n=228013

So tools are availible to pull theses suckers out. Maybe that is your best bet?

Ekatarina

[fireincarnation.livejournal.com]

I was gonna suggest the same thing--using some sort of drill or dremel to sheer off the screw heads, then just pull off the screen. You may also be able to use bolt cutters or some other type of shearing device to cut the head off, but I doubt that. I'd say dremel is your best bet.

I've had dealings with these kinds of screws before--they are impossible to take out with any normal tools.