Hello folks,
I’m struggling with tightening one of the screws on the portion of my bipod that quick releases/ clamps onto the pic rail. I need to tighten this screw (pictured with my index finger pointing at it in the photo below) in order for the clamp to make a tight fit.
The grooves on the screw are really shallow, and a typical flathead screwdriver head is too narrow to span the diameter of the screw head and get leverage. I’ve also tried a quarter and a nickel, but they are ever slightly too thick, or they don’t really make enough contact with the screw to bite in.
I’ve had experience with these types of screws before on a quick-release scope mount. However, the grooves on those were deeper and allowed me to use a regular screwdriver to tighten them.
I’m wondering if I’m missing a tool or technique here!
Thanks very much for your help in this probably very basic question!
Re: What tool do I need for this?
2Large allen wrench? Butter knife? Hard to tell what is happening there. I have used cheap gas station pocket knives for such things before, but I am sure something exists that I don't know about.
It is an unfortunate human failing that a full pocketbook often groans more loudly than an empty stomach.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Re: What tool do I need for this?
3By the looks of it my first inclination would be to use a file on its side to hold that nut in place and turn the skewer on the other side. That is a pretty funky looking nut though.
Re: What tool do I need for this?
4if as i suspect you're referring to the black slotted screw by your fingertip (my scope rings have such), a large flathead screwdriver, or yes, maybe a butterknife.
i'm retired. what's your excuse?
Re: What tool do I need for this?
5What's inside the hole? Anything in there that looks like it is supposed to be turned?
Re: What tool do I need for this?
6I believe it is the nut to the quick release skewer, so the threaded end of the rod would poke through, you just need to keep it in place.wooglin wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:55 am What's inside the hole? Anything in there that looks like it is supposed to be turned?
But now that I'm thinking about it, if this is a quick release you should only be needing (wanting) to screw it to finger tight so that the clamp has enough space to crank to taught. If it is screwed in too tight, to the point requiring keeping the nut in place, it will likely be too tight to actually utilize the quick release, right?
Re: What tool do I need for this?
7I have a Leatherman multitool with an extra wide flathead screwdriver. If the tip doesn’t work for this type of screws, I can use the side. I can also use the back of the knife or file. In any case, I think everybody should have at least one multitool.
Glad that federal government is boring again.
Re: What tool do I need for this?
8I'm wondering sort of along the same lines. That the screw in question is designed to turn easily. So I'm wondering if there is a locking mechanism somehow associated with the hole in the center of the screw.keenanmj85 wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:04 am I believe it is the nut to the quick release skewer, so the threaded end of the rod would poke through, you just need to keep it in place.
But now that I'm thinking about it, if this is a quick release you should only be needing (wanting) to screw it to finger tight so that the clamp has enough space to crank to taught. If it is screwed in too tight, to the point requiring keeping the nut in place, it will likely be too tight to actually utilize the quick release, right?
Re: What tool do I need for this?
9I can think of several tools that might work but most would be like the back side of a butterknife or a very large slotted screwdriver.
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."
Re: What tool do I need for this?
10Wheeler. Has split bits top center left.
CDFingers
CDFingers
Crazy cat peekin' through a lace bandana
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like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
Re: What tool do I need for this?
11Thanks everyone, these ideas are helpful.
So the center hole in the screw is just round and smooth, it won’t receive an Alan wrench or anything similar to that. I attached a better pic. (It’s the black screw near the flag & company emblem)
I like the idea of using a butter knife, I just tried with the bipod detached and unfortunately the grooves are so shallow that it’s still hard for the knife to “bite” in. Unfortunately the multi tool I have, the screwdriver part is a bit dinky. We do have a beefier one somewhere that I’m going to find that may have an extra wide flathead. I agree that an extra wide flathead seems needed!
Just to answer someone’s question up there, Even with the clamp closed the bipod is a little loose on the rail—by a few millimeters, so it just needs to get tightened a little bit.
So the center hole in the screw is just round and smooth, it won’t receive an Alan wrench or anything similar to that. I attached a better pic. (It’s the black screw near the flag & company emblem)
I like the idea of using a butter knife, I just tried with the bipod detached and unfortunately the grooves are so shallow that it’s still hard for the knife to “bite” in. Unfortunately the multi tool I have, the screwdriver part is a bit dinky. We do have a beefier one somewhere that I’m going to find that may have an extra wide flathead. I agree that an extra wide flathead seems needed!
Just to answer someone’s question up there, Even with the clamp closed the bipod is a little loose on the rail—by a few millimeters, so it just needs to get tightened a little bit.
Re: What tool do I need for this?
12Ah, so helpful to know this kind of bit exists, I will look out for it!
Re: What tool do I need for this?
13what's the other side look like? the side opposite the screw head
Re: What tool do I need for this?
14I see six flats on the bolt. Can you get a socket on it?BorealFaun wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 2:29 pm Thanks everyone, these ideas are helpful.
So the center hole in the screw is just round and smooth, it won’t receive an Alan wrench or anything similar to that. I attached a better pic. (It’s the black screw near the flag & company emblem)
I like the idea of using a butter knife, I just tried with the bipod detached and unfortunately the grooves are so shallow that it’s still hard for the knife to “bite” in. Unfortunately the multi tool I have, the screwdriver part is a bit dinky. We do have a beefier one somewhere that I’m going to find that may have an extra wide flathead. I agree that an extra wide flathead seems needed!
Just to answer someone’s question up there, Even with the clamp closed the bipod is a little loose on the rail—by a few millimeters, so it just needs to get tightened a little bit.
E63C7340-9155-41CC-BB07-4C037F5950B2.jpeg
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."
Re: What tool do I need for this?
15Yeah, socket idea is a good one to try.
CD, where did you get that set?
CD, where did you get that set?
It is an unfortunate human failing that a full pocketbook often groans more loudly than an empty stomach.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Re: What tool do I need for this?
16try to pay attention, people. black, round hole (no hex socket), slotted.
i'm retired. what's your excuse?
Re: What tool do I need for this?
17The pic is from the internet, but I got my set at Sportsman's Warehouse in Chico a while back.K9s wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 12:23 am Yeah, socket idea is a good one to try.
CD, where did you get that set?
CDFingers
Crazy cat peekin' through a lace bandana
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
Re: What tool do I need for this?
18Now as I look at it, the nut is not supposed to turn! It has 6 flats on the outside matching to 6 flats on the unit, to keep it from turning. It has to be addressed from whatever is screwed into it from the other side.lurker wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 2:12 am try to pay attention, people. black, round hole (no hex socket), slotted.
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."
Re: What tool do I need for this?
19https://www.accu-shot.com/Installing_an ... _Lever.php
This "nut" used on several components - instructions in link.
This "nut" used on several components - instructions in link.
"Being Republican is more than a difference of opinion - it's a character flaw." "COVID can fix STUPID!"
The greatest, most aggrieved mistake EVER made in USA was electing DJT as POTUS.
The greatest, most aggrieved mistake EVER made in USA was electing DJT as POTUS.
Re: What tool do I need for this?
20Yup. Usually, there is a spring involved that allows one to push from the opposite side, pushing the nut outside of its capture well where it can be manually tightened. Alternatively, the "thingy" on the other side that has the threaded end going into the nut either turns or levers to create tension. Usually, there's no need to tighten the nut, just the screw/lever/thingy on the opposite side.YankeeTarheel wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:04 amNow as I look at it, the nut is not supposed to turn! It has 6 flats on the outside matching to 6 flats on the unit, to keep it from turning. It has to be addressed from whatever is screwed into it from the other side.lurker wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 2:12 am try to pay attention, people. black, round hole (no hex socket), slotted.
Re: What tool do I need for this?
21OK Guys - quit over thinking this.
"Being Republican is more than a difference of opinion - it's a character flaw." "COVID can fix STUPID!"
The greatest, most aggrieved mistake EVER made in USA was electing DJT as POTUS.
The greatest, most aggrieved mistake EVER made in USA was electing DJT as POTUS.