Professional Tool Reviews for Pros

When we took a look at the Klein 4-in-1 Torx Screwdriver we came across one of its more notable features. “Includes T7, T8, T10 and T15 tamperproof Torx pin bits,” the packaging told us. Off in the distance, we hear the intern ask, “What’s a tamperproof bit?” And, just like that, we have the subject for our next “Training the Apprentice” article. Tamperproof bits work on tamperproof screws. These security screws present at least some protection against unauthorized or undesired access…sort of.

Editor’s Note: Check out our best deck screws article to see our top picks.

Let’s say you find yourself in a curious state over the inner workings of the DeWalt FlexVolt battery. And, impending electrical injury risks accounted for, you decide you’ll take a look inside.

Well, DeWalt, for reasons revolving around liability and warranty issues, probably doesn’t want you tinkering around in the battery’s guts with something pointy and metallic. So, when they assemble their batteries, they use tamperproof screws to hold the housing together.

DeWalt has a lot of company in this regard.

A tamperproof Torx bit, for example, looks like a standard Torx bit. Look more closely, however, and you see it has an indentation in the middle. This accommodates a tamperproof screw. The screw in our DeWalt battery pack has a small nub in the middle of the depression. That nub renders a standard Torx bit useless. The tamperproof bit, however, fits right around it.

The idea behind the tamperproof screw seems obvious, especially given the name. When you don’t want just any dum-dum who owns a screwdriver to be able to disassemble something, you use tamperproof screws.

These screws see a lot of use in places like airports, public parks, electronics, aviation equipment, etc. Is there something where unsupervised repairs or modification could take place? Is there a fixture that could be likely susceptible to vandalism or theft? Because tamperproof bits are less common, tamperproof screws add another minor layer of protection against, well, tampering.

Of course, tamperproof screws and bits come in myriad shapes and sizes. As patents expire for proprietary tamper-proof designs, bit manufacturers can begin to sell more of these tamperproof bits. At that point, the term “tamperproof” begins to become a bit of a misnomer. We’ve seen that happen already with the aforementioned security Torx screws. When any consumer can purchase security bits—the basis for disallowing easy tampering with a screw gets thrown out the window.

In a word: No. Dozens of different, proprietary tamper-proof screws and matching bits exist on the market today. Because so many manufacturers make and patent them, the chances of a person having them all remain slim. You can still find unusual and uncommon security screws and bits.

With that said, security Torx bits don’t really stop anyone anymore. They also remain inexpensive—which is why we tend to see them used everywhere a manufacturer wants some level of tamper resistance on their products.

The average person probably won’t have too many tamperproof bits in their tool arsenal. As a result, the system still has merit as an extra layer of protection against vandalism, theft, or unauthorized tinkering. However, for those of you budding electricians and repairmen out there, it might not hurt to get your hands on some of the more common tamperproof bit designs.

If you’re a Pro who has any tips, tricks, or general knowledge to pass on tamperproof screws and bits, feel free to add a comment below!

DCS spends most of his time watching Mythbusters, trying to figure out what the labels that they blur out say, so that he can recreate the explosions. His hobbies include impersonating Chuck Norris doing an impersonation of Sean Connery and fly fishing. David does his own stunts.

Turn back the clock to April 2021 and we got our hands on Flex 24V cordless tools for the first time. Our initial impressions were very positive, but now that we’ve had them for a while, it’s time to answer the broader question… are Flex 24V power tools any good? How Good Are Flex Cordless […]

Changing A Drill Bit Is Easier And Faster Than You Might Think Learning how to change a drill bit is very similar whether you have a Milwaukee, DeWalt, Black & Decker, Craftsman, Ryobi, or another brand of drill. However, there are several types depending on how you’re using the term “drill”. No matter what type […]

China’s Housing Market Woes Trigger US Real Estate Concerns The process of buying a new construction home has some complications. First, you get a construction loan the general contractor can draw from until it’s complete and then convert it over to a mortgage once you get the certificate of occupancy. Fortunately, the mortgage department at […]

By now you’ve probably seen commercials for trimmer mowers and they are absolutely useful tools. Can or should they replace your lawn mower, though? We took a deep dive into the design and uses of each to help you decide for this lawn mower vs trimmer mower comparison. Lawn Mower Vs Trimmer Mower Design On […]

Will the tamper proof hex bits work on the regular screws as wel?

Bits for them aren’t too hard to find.

Tamperproof just slows the average Joe down is all. It’s all about applying different levels of security resistance. Plus, it helps keep service warranties from being voided by the consumer trying to do their own repairs or damage due to curious exploration.

Trouble is they tend to throw them on some things that don’t need them. I have a little portable heater that has it’s fan clogged with dust so it won’t revolve and I cannot get in to clean due to those dumb screws. Guess it is good to make you buy a new one.

They are a pain in the butt is what they are lol

As an Amazon Associate, we may earn income when you click on an Amazon link. Thanks for helping us do what we love.

See our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Pro Tool Reviews is a successful online publication that has been providing tool reviews and industry news since 2008. In today’s world of Internet news and online content, we found that more and more professionals researched a large majority of their major power tool purchases online. That piqued our interest.

There’s one key thing to note about Pro Tool Reviews: We’re all about the professional tool user and tradesman!

Copyright ©2008-2022 Pro Tool Reviews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Professional Tool Reviews for Pros