Tri-Wing Screws?

[BSherm]

Do you all supose the screws in the TH-55 are "Tri-Wing"? I need to get a screwdriver to open my case and fix an issue (it's a sad story).

I found this source:
http://www.lara.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi

It doesn't quite look like the screw in the Clie (notice the offset where the three lines meet)

I was thinking of getting the 0 and the 1 (I think it is a #1 on the Sony).

I know they come with the replacement covers and Brando sells one for $10, but that gadgeteer review makes me cautious of cheap drivers. The source above looks like it would be better quality... not sure why.

[DanT]

I got the 3-bladed screwdriver from lik-sang.com (http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=50&products_id=1850&).

There are 5 screws in the back of TH55. 2 of them are regular 4-bladed screws and 3 of them are 3-bladed screws. The flip cover also uses that dang 3-bladed screws.

[Sony_Boy]

I have a set of tri wing screwdrivers from Wiha Tools W. Germany. They will not work on the screws for the TH55.

Save your money.

[bookzzz]

Here's another source for a tri-wing screwdriver that claims compatibility with Sony, sells for $4.99, and ships worldwide for $1.30. No idea about whether this is a reputable source or not, though.

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-70-1fe-4-1-71-1e.html

[bookzzz]

Sorry, retract what I just posted! There is no claimed compatibility with Sony tri-wing screws!

[DanT]

That screwdriver is for Game Boy Advance, which is the same one that i got from Lik-Sang (see the link in my post #2, above). I used it to remove the screws off the TH55 flip cover. The tip is tightly fit into the screw. You need to press down the screwdriver firmly before twisting it. Otherwise you will strip the screw head.

[ID Engineer]

BSherm- Could you point me to the Gadgeteer review of the Brando screwdriver that you referenced? I've searched their site and can't seem to find it. Thanks!

Does anyone have experience (good or bad) ordering the screwdrivers from other sources?

[BSherm]

BSherm- Could you point me to the Gadgeteer review of the Brando screwdriver that you referenced? I've searched their site and can't seem to find it. Thanks!

Does anyone have experience (good or bad) ordering the screwdrivers from other sources?

It was mentioned in the replacement cover review:
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/surpluspda-th55-faceplates-review.html

It is the screwdriver that comes with the replacement covers from Global Source, I believe.

[ID Engineer]

Thanks for the link - my search didn't get there because I assumed that it was the Brando screwdriver that was being reviewed.

Anyone have experience with the Brando or other driver for the 3-bladed screws? Is there any kind of substitute that could be obtained locally?

[DanT]

Anyone have experience with the Brando or other driver for the 3-bladed screws? Yes, see my post #6, above.

[BSherm]

Thanks for the link - my search didn't get there because I assumed that it was the Brando screwdriver that was being reviewed.

Anyone have experience with the Brando or other driver for the 3-bladed screws? Is there any kind of substitute that could be obtained locally?

I purchased the driver listed earlier in this thread (post 6). It works... wasn't thrilled with it. I actually found that a straight 1.0 mm screwdriver i already had worked better (I wish i had tried it before I ordered). Keep in mind, my use was for the back screws, not the ones for the hinge.

I had to partially dissassemble my clie to fix it. The 1.0 mm worked MUCH better than the "y" one I bought. It did a number on the screwdriver, and it was probably good that the 1.0 mm was cheap, so that it didn't damage the screws.... ymmv

[mr_gkyc]

I have a set of tri wing screwdrivers from Wiha Tools W. Germany. They will not work on the screws for the TH55.

Save your money.

I was actually going to get the Wiha tri-wing screwdrivers thinking that they'd be a good screwdriver for this. How do they *not* work? Too big? Wrong shape?

Thanks.

George

[iDean]

if your just taking off the cover you can do it without unscrewing...

[Sony_Boy]

The bits from Wiha Tools are not the proper size or shape for the tri wing screws on the TH55 which are a Japanese Standard. Very hard to locate in the USA. I couldn't find a supplier.

The Wiha bits are hardened and if you notice they are slightly curved in shape. The bit will chew up the screws on your TH55 in no time flat. I learned the hard way :(

[DanT]

I also bought Brando's Tri No.1 screwdriver (see picture, below) and it works much better than the Game Boy's one. I would recommend Brando's. Here is the link:
http://shop.brando.com.hk/trino1screwdriver.php

http://shop.brando.com.hk/image/trino1screwdriver_s.jpg

[philipch75]

For what it's worth, the tri-wing screws on the back are the same size and pitch as the body screws on earlier models such as the N770, which have a conventional Philips style cross head. I found this out when Sony sent my th55 back with the faulty camera replaced, but a screw missing [AND they wanted me to return the whole thing for them to replace it rather than just send me another screw - but that's another story!]

[timcrews]

Hello:

See the thread TH-55 works without camera (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?p=925067#post925067). Two people recently received screwdrivers from Brando that are not the same as the one that Brando used to sell. Although the Brando website still shows the same screwdriver, what they actually sent was the ProsKit 9400-TR1, a larger screwdriver that doesn't fit in the screws on the TH-55.

Tim Crews

[timcrews]

The bits from Wiha Tools are not the proper size or shape for the tri wing screws on the TH55 which are a Japanese Standard. Very hard to locate in the USA. I couldn't find a supplier.

The Wiha bits are hardened and if you notice they are slightly curved in shape. The bit will chew up the screws on your TH55 in no time flat. I learned the hard way :(

Before I saw this post, I tried to order a Wiha tri-wing screwdriver (somewhere in mid-May of 2006). The web order succeeded, but the next day I got a phone call from a salesperson who said that Wiha would no longer be making or selling these screwdrivers.

Tim Crews.

[roguex]

I was one of those who got a Pro's Kit 9400-Tri instead of the standard one from Brando.
When I questioned them about it, asking if it was the same size & would it still would with the Th55.
This is the response I got:

"Hi,

All new screwdriver are checked and work for TH55.
You have to adapter it well before screw it.

Brando"


:confused:

[luag]

i use a minus screwdriver. 1.2 mm works nicely :)

[DanT]

Hello:

See the thread TH-55 works without camera (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?p=925067#post925067). Two people recently received screwdrivers from Brando that are not the same as the one that Brando used to sell. Although the Brando website still shows the same screwdriver, what they actually sent was the ProsKit 9400-TR1, a larger screwdriver that doesn't fit in the screws on the TH-55.

Tim Crews

Tim, try to file the 3 bladed tips if they are too big.

[timcrews]

I persevered with the tri-wing driver that I received from Brando. With enough downward force applied, I was able to get the driver to dig into the screws, and I was able to get the screws out without stripping the screws.

[DanT]

Good for you. That's the way to do it.