# Worst use of a tamper-proof screw **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 26, 2005, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829 "2005-11-26T19:43:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/21 "2005-11-27T20:47:07Z")
The heater was made over seas, right? What does a product need a secret compartment for and sealed with a tamper proof screw? They’re shipped with Chinese hashish and cocaine. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/22 "2005-11-27T21:00:27Z")
Maybe Schrodinger’s cat is really, really small. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/23 "2005-11-28T00:08:12Z")
It’s obvious that the tamper-proof screw was there to prevent you wasting your time in opening the pointless, empty compartment. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/24 "2005-11-28T00:16:09Z")
The first thing I thought when I read the OP was, “what a great place to hide stuff.” ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/25 "2005-11-28T01:08:02Z")
Heh, reminds me of an annoying customer i had back in my Computer Town (Salem, NH) days, had one _idiot_ customer who insisted on taking his PowerBook apart to “fix” some phantom problem (nothing wrong with the machine, until he messed with it), he did this twice, on the third time he brought it in, after i fixed the (l)user created problem, i removed all the phillips-head case/chassis screws and replaced them with Torx screws… he stopped bringing it in at that point, and the next time he came in, said that the last repair had “finally fixed it”… …because he was no longer able to mess with it, probably ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/26 "2005-11-28T01:51:48Z")
He wasn’t a dedicated futzer, obviously. Mere torx tools can be had from Sears, for Og’s sake. Next time get exotic and go with tri-wing. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Whifton\_Polekitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/97f17d/32.png) [@Whifton\_Polekitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whifton_Polekitty)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/27 "2005-11-28T09:25:41Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > On the back panel of the casing there was a little rectangular hatch, held closed by one of those tamper-resistant screws, the type with a little triangle as the slot. Obviously, I had to see what could possibly be so important in a space heater that they didn’t want to risk us seeing it. My attempts at undoing the screw failed, and, after a few attempts, I just gave up and pried the little panel open with the blade of my pocket knife. “When all you have is a Dremel Tool, everything takes a flathead screwdriver.” ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/28 "2005-11-28T14:39:01Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > He wasn’t a dedicated futzer, obviously. Mere torx tools can be had from Sears, for Og’s sake. Next time get exotic and go with tri-wing. 😉 true, but at the time, all i had for “tamper proof” screws were Torx, and it was clear this (l)user wasn’t the type to go to Sears and look for Torx screwdrivers, i _did_ use a mix of T6 and T8 though, i figured having 2 different size heads would make it more difficult for him to open his machine what can i say, it worked… ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/29 "2005-11-28T14:39:32Z")
> [@Whifton\_Polekitty](#): > > “When all you have is a Dremel Tool, everything takes a flathead screwdriver.” AMEN! ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/30 "2005-11-28T14:55:38Z")
> [@Rue DeDay](#): > > When you took the screw out, did your butt fall off? I hear that can happen sometimes when you take out screws you’re not supposed to. Golden! ---
**Author:** ![Pandora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/eada6e/32.png) [@Pandora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pandora)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/31 "2005-11-28T20:44:52Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Does Pandora’s Box use Craftsman tampons? Let’s just say ummm… no. And obvioulsy, NinjaChick has my space heater… Can I have it back please, it’s cold in here 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829/32 "2005-11-28T22:08:48Z")
> [@Pandora](#): > > Let’s just say ummm… no. > > And obvioulsy, NinjaChick has my space heater… > Can I have it back please, it’s cold in here 🙂 Uh-oh - sorry, I threw it out. It didn’t work, and, well, I’d already opened the box, so…uh…hey, this isn’t going to get you all mad at me or anything, is it? (btw - nice to see another Philly-area doper around here. I’ve relocated to Santa Fe, but grew up just across the Delaware from Center City). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-use-of-a-tamper-proof-screw/332829.md?page=1)