this post was submitted on 15 May 2024
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Right to Repair

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Whether it be electronics, automobiles or medical equipment, the manufacturers should not be able to horde “oem” parts, render your stuff useless if you repair it with aftermarket parts, or hide schematics of their products.

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Basic blender went bad (motor ran but spindle wasn't rotating). I wanted to disassemble to see if it could be repaired. Three of the four screws were Phillips head. I had to cut the casing open in order to discover why I couldn't unscrew the fourth. It was a slotted spanner.

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[–] Madison420 4 points 6 months ago (19 children)

I mean a blender isn't exactly the worst things to have security bits on.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (4 children)

My vacuum cleaner. You know how the roller brush gets all tangled up with hair and threads and whatnot, and the way you fix that is to remove the roller and cut it all out?

The external screws are torx security bits. The internal screws are Phillips. The only reason is to get someone who isn't persistent to go buy a new vacuum cleaner when their roller gets tangled

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago

At this point I think at least a modest tamper kit should be in a household the same way a screwdriver was previously.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (13 children)

Thought they might sell these specialty tools online, but 3 minutes of searching came up with nothing. Might be time to get creative.

Do you have the room to get a Dremel in there the cut it so a regular flathead will work?

If not, maybe try to use needle noise pliers as your screwdriver.

As a last resort, pick up a cheap screwdriver and cut it to make it slotted.

Edit: I love how quickly several people have commented with links to the needed tools. Thanks to all of you!

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago

Looks like a job for a regular flathead and a grinding wheel.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)
[–] an_onanist 2 points 6 months ago

I destroyed the casing to learn why my Phillips screw driver couldn't grab the screw head.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

Oh, I have that bit. Its not even the weirdest

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (10 children)

I know I have terrible eyesight, but it seems like I opened blind or dyslexic community. Why only few people noticed

I had to cut the casing open in order to discover why I couldn't unscrew the fourth.

[–] Tikiporch 5 points 6 months ago

Must be your eyesight, my friend. Looks normal to me...

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