Caribeno Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 Hi, I'm trying to disassemble an Atari Pong C-100, and the screws that connect the base to the unit (under the battery pack) are some weird, 3 wing reversed (in the screw, the depth at the center is less than in near the border). I tried using pliers, but the screw is too round and the pliers just slip. Has anyone had this problem around here? Any solutions? Thanks! Andres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+x=usr(1536) Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 From the description, it sounds almost like what you need is a tri-wing security bit or screwdriver, but the depth equation is interesting. Are you certain that there isn't a post in the centre of the screw head? It may be possible to take a Torx security bit of the correct size, cut / file out three of the splines, and use that to remove the screw. I had no idea that Atari used those on the C-100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 I had a very hard time finding a bit to open mine. I finally found one at McMasters-Carr. I think it is called tri-slot. Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chas10e Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 (edited) I think it's called a "Holt security screw" , I had make my own: https://imgur.com/a/ngmNH Edited September 17, 2021 by chas10e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caribeno Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 On 9/17/2021 at 3:27 PM, chas10e said: I think it's called a "Holt security screw" , I had make my own: https://imgur.com/a/ngmNH Yes! That's it, thank you so much! And I love the idea in the article, I will try that instead of buying the tool. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caribeno Posted September 27, 2021 Author Share Posted September 27, 2021 Here it is my homemade Holt screwdriver. ? And it worked! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towmater Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 (edited) When you close it up, I recommend adding a washer to keep the plastic from being damaged further. While I was in there I added a 8-24volt regulator tuned to deliver 6 volts no matter the input, I switched the power jack to a modern barrel connector, and threw in a composite to HDMI adapter (in place of the battery holder.) Unsurprisingly when I first opened the Pong, there were ca1976 batteries still inside. Edited October 8, 2021 by towmater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Mitchell Posted April 28, 2022 Share Posted April 28, 2022 (edited) On 9/13/2021 at 10:20 PM, x=usr(1536) said: It may be possible to take a Torx security bit of the correct size, cut / file out three of the splines, and use that to remove the screw. I have three Atari Pongs so that means six tri-groove screws! I used a spanner bit to remove 5/6 but the last one would not budge despite my best efforts! (spanner is two dot or snake eyes screws) Another search revealed this video ... So I made a tool using a spare hex driver which allowed me to turn the screw about three times and then I could get my needle-nose vice grips on it. Finally I can clean these pots for a great game of Catch! Replacement screws are #6 phillips almost 2 1/2" long .. I plan to add some washers to the new screws to make up the difference. Edited April 28, 2022 by Rob Mitchell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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