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How to open flyscreen?

Kate1958

I have several windows that have flyscreen latches that I cannot open. I really want to clean the flyscreens but can't open the hinges. They are not spring loaded and it seems the only way would be to unscrew them. I can't work out what type of screwdriver I would need. If you look at the picture you may understand what I mean. Any ideas?

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JacobZ

Hi @Kate1958,

From what I can see, there doesn't appear to be any groove or screwhead on the head of those pins and the thread doesn't seem to be angled, which makes me think they don't actually rotate.

Could you try using a flat tool like a flathead screwdriver, chisel or even a butter knife, place it on the underside of the "threaded" piece and lever it away from the aluminium frame?

I suspect the grooves provide a small amount of resistance to prevent the pin from retracting easily, but not in the same way that a screw thread will. A push from the bottom should be able to move it. If you get a huge amount of resistance, don't force it, but I don't suspect you will.

Give this a go and let me know how it went. I can certainly assist further if this is not the solution.

Jacob

Kate1958

I managed to get one of the screws out and have attached photos

JacobZ

Hi @Kate1958,

What did you do to get it out?

Is it something you can replicate with the rest of the screws?

Have you managed to get the flyscreen out?

Happy to assist further if there is anything further you need.

Jacob

Kate1958

The head of the screw was sticking out and I just used my fingers to unscrew it. Can't do it with the other screws. Is there some type of security tool that i could get to remove the rest?

JacobZ

Hi @Kate1958,

There's no specific tool that I am aware of, but that groove looks to be the solution.

You might be able to use one of the tools from this https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-4-piece-hook-and-pick-set_p6120228 which would allow you to rotate the screw to a point where it is exposed and you can then rotate it out with your hands.

Allow me to tag @Noyade, @Dave-1 and @TedBear to see if they have any ideas.

Jacob

Noyade

Fascinating!

"Is there some type of security tool that i could get to remove the rest?" - @Kate1958

Yes, something like a square with a tapered prong?? Can you get a better shot of the screw head? Is it a trenched square? If so, maybe a small screwdriver would fit the diagonal?

And/or - if it is a trenched square, maybe an appropriate security square bit would suffice?

In the meantime I will keep drinking and thinking.

Dave-1

Good Evening @Kate1958

:o Im with @Noyade and will second the "Fascinating" :) lol I have never seen those type attachments before. It looks very proprietary tho possibly easy enough to hack (dislike that overused word but it describes what you could do to an old small screwdriver)

I am thinking of something like the top one from this pack Trojan 6 Piece Precision Screwdriver Set and gently twisting in counterclockwise. I am not confident tho that you will get them all to move. For the ones that dont move I would drill out the pop rivets, remove the clasp (and flyscreens) then you will be able to use more force (including using a pair of multigrips plus some thick rubber (around the thread) to undo. You can then clean it so you can reuse it if you want.

To reuse the clasp just pop rivet the bracket back in and then screw using one of the tools. It is an odd design but looks like they are meant to be tamper proof.

Dave

R4addZ

Hi @Kate1958

Can we get an in focus shot of the head of the screw? Or you could just take the screw into your local bunnings and the tool department may be able to find a bit that will fit it.