I have to tighten the handle on an elliptical machine and my Philips screwdriver doesn't work. What kind of screwdriver do I need? Thanks.

An Irish screwdriver.

Visit you local nuts and bolts / hardware shop, it's a standard common "star" type screwdriver.

21 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Visit you local nuts and bolts / hardware shop, it's a standard common "star" type screwdriver.

Donno'   - seems to have a raised bit in the center that would stop a normal screwdriver from seating properly.

 

You could try filing out the center section of a flat blade screwdriver, that might work

 

 

These “ tamper resistant “ or “ tamper proof “ screws are usually fitted to prevent any tampering with whatever is under the cover .

Have seen hex and torx ( star )screws with the “ nipple” in the centre, and the associated tools to loosen/tighten but never the standard “ Phillips “.

 

If a tool was not supplied with the machine then I would attempt with a flat

( slot head ) screwdriver, seems like there is enough to slot available to tighten or loosen the screw .

A U-shaped driver of the right size might manage it.

 

is this a forum for dummies ?

6 hours ago, Meat Pie 47 said:

is this a forum for dummies ?

 

 

Why, do you need one?

 

If you know what sort of screwdriver is needed, why not be helpful & answer the question?

 

 

If you cant find the specialized screw drivers, simply take an old , regular flat screw driver and with your small grinder (if you have one) grind a small notch in the middle . That should do the trick, 

Thanks all.  I was concerned it was some sort of tamper proof screw.  The gym I joined recently has all new equipment except they improperly installed all the handles on the eliptical machine so there is an annoying amount of play to it.  It's a common brand called Matrix that I have used at many other gyms so I know it should be movement free.

 

I have asked a few times to have the handles properly installed but they have ignored this annoying picky farang.   However, maybe the problem is that the machines are assembled by the Matrix distributor and they don't have the proper tool.  

 

I'll give the suggestions here a go and see if I can fix it myself.    Thanks.

4 hours ago, sirineou said:

If you cant find the specialized screw drivers, simply take an old , regular flat screw driver and with your small grinder (if you have one) grind a small notch in the middle . That should do the trick, 

Jokes aside using an old bradawl or old sharpened screwdriver it can be tighten by tapping the screw on the outer side of the large slot with a hammer.  

JIS screwdriver not Phillips

Looks like a Phillips/Slot Combination screw to me. (i.e. can be used with a Phillips or a normal screwdriver)

 

If don't have proper bit, next best thing would be a medium/large flat head. Impact drill driver with ubiquitous #2 bit would also sort it. ????

On 3/28/2021 at 12:05 PM, LosLobo said:

Looks like a Phillips/Slot Combination screw to me. (i.e. can be used with a Phillips or a normal screwdriver)

 

No it isn't and it can't .

As mentioned before because of the blip in the middle you need a special screwdriver.

 

If you don't have and can't be bothered to go buy one get a flat blade that will fit in the longer of the two slots and use a file or hacksaw or grinder to make a slot in the middle of the blade.

 

Here's one I made earlier:-

 

On 3/24/2021 at 9:19 PM, Artisi said:

Visit you local nuts and bolts / hardware shop, it's a standard common "star" type screwdriver.

Isn't.