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

[fuyukodachi.livejournal.com]

Sketch it out in Paint or something? Sola can probably tell you if you can show us what it looks like.

[strange-selkie.livejournal.com]

Those screws are made specifically so you can screw them in but not out, sadly. If you can get to the opposite end of the screw somehow, you should be able to use a power drill to push it out, but other than that we (handyman wife and I) can't think of anything.

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Maybe take an impression in modelling clay and take it to a hardware store to see if they have a screwdriver that fits?

[rm.livejournal.com]

Well, it's in concrete, so that would be a no. Uhoh. Surely there must be a way for this shit to be removed by someone somewhere.

[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

[ekatarina.livejournal.com]

Oh, if it's the "one way" screws they need to be drilled out. If the head is raised there are some "gripper" tool things that can help.

Drat! If only I was in NY! I could do something, I *know* it!

Ekatarina

[rm.livejournal.com]

posted

[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

[catelynn.livejournal.com]

Had same problem. The gates had to be sawed out by the super. No other way to get them out.
We had to pick what windows we wanted A/C so if you are thinking about adding one later get them done all at once.

[fuyukodachi.livejournal.com]

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/inffastener/infoneway.shtm

[greendroll.livejournal.com]

Those are "one-way" screws; the go in, but require surgery to remove.
If you have a drill, go to the hardware store with a clay impression of the screw head and buy a drill bit and an "easy-out" to fit (the hardware people will help you with that). Don't forget a handle for the "easy-out". Then drill into each screw about a quarter of an inch and then insert the reverse threaded "easy-out" and turn until the screw is extracted. Then repeat.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Awesome. That's the most helpful thing I've seen yet, and yes, that is the screw!

[fuyukodachi.livejournal.com]

I am, as ever, the King of Google.

Ive also suggested trying needle nosed pliers on it, so hopefully that will work without having to invest in a $25 tool. You might try trying to grease the screw, if you can avoid getting any on the screw head, before trying, but that may be asking too much from the little straw on WD-40 cans.

And then there's always this, if either of you are feeling handy, and you end up having to wait for maintenance:

http://www.eng.uwaterloo.ca/~gmilburn/ac/

[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.

[warhol.livejournal.com]

Yup, as everyone else has said, those are security screws that aren't supposed to come out. (What would be the point of anti-burglar bars if the thieves could remove them in thirty seconds?) Here's one reference on removing them:

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/inffastener/infoneway.shtm

[warhol.livejournal.com]

Heh, I just now noticed that someone else posted the same link. Oops.