Removing anti-theft screws for number plate ?

galaxy xr8 · 11-10-2017, 02:50 PM

How do you remove the anti-theft screws that hold a number plate and re-use them, the reason being is that I have them on my vehicle but just purchased some number plate protectors today and I need to use the existing holes if possible.

I can always drill them out or make a notch to get them out and just buy some more latter on, but if there is a way of removing them and being able to re-use them, that would be my preferred option.

thanks.

**FormulaFG** · 11-10-2017, 02:58 PM

Don't reckon you could reuse them. You'd be best of buying a new set and you'll probably have to destroy the set on there to get them off.

**aussiblue** · 11-10-2017, 03:04 PM

Japanese engineers pliers. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ENGINEER-...sAAOSwu-BWPCKJ or http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Engineer-...AOSwVfxZ0G6Mor http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/mini-plie...sAAOSwj9dZwu3u etc

Trevor 57 · 11-10-2017, 03:08 PM

Maybe go to your local police station as they have been known to have days where they fit them for free

galaxy xr8 · 11-10-2017, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Japanese engineers pliers. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ENGINEER-...sAAOSwu-BWPCKJ or http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Engineer-...AOSwVfxZ0G6Mor http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/mini-plie...sAAOSwj9dZwu3u etc

Thanks for that mate, good idea but for the price of them I would be better of just drilling out and buying some new anti-theft screws, although that tool could come in handy for future/unknown issues ?.

galaxy xr8 · 11-10-2017, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lever T

Maybe go to your local police station as they have been known to have days where they fit them for free

Yeah I rang them but they didn't seem to be able to help.

naddis01 · 11-10-2017, 04:24 PM

As you said, just use a grinder with thin cutting disc to cut a groove then remove like any other screw. Just buy new antitheft screws.

stig_3754 · 11-10-2017, 05:08 PM

Not sure about other states but in VIC you should be able to go to any Police Station or Vic Roads Office and they should be able to remove them for you as they're meant to have the tools available, or at least that's what I was told when I got mine...

**aussiblue** · 11-10-2017, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Thanks for that mate, good idea but for the price of them I would be better of just drilling out and buying some new anti-theft screws, although that tool could come in handy for future/unknown issues

Have a set of in different sizes; a whole family of Neji-sauruses from Japan, and they do prove useful for all sort of thinks in addition to removing screws with missing or damaged heads. Good for pulling wires through things too.

I don't have the optional jaw covers that make them look T-Rex like though.

Nonetheless a quality tool and up there with my favourite screwdrivers; the Japanses Sunflag Brand More detaisl of teh pliers here: http://www.engineer.jp/en/products/products_e.html
ones.

.:4:. · 11-10-2017, 07:14 PM

Whats the head of the screws look like? Security bit sets are readily available from most hardware stores. I got the kinchrome set I use for work for $20 from kmart of all places years ago. Depends on the screw head if they're designed only to be screwed in not out, but worst case I use vice grips to get a solid locked grip on the head and spin them out.

**aussiblue** · 11-10-2017, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Whats the head of the screws look like?

Like these I imagine http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Pro...12-Pack/357550 and on the Video there says your local Supercheap store staff have a special tool for their removal. So I suspect Supercheap will do it for free if you call in at a quiet time.

.:4:. · 11-10-2017, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Like these I imagine http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Pro...12-Pack/357550 and on the Video there says your local Supercheap store staff have a special tool for their removal. So I suspect Supercheap will do it for free if you call in at a quiet time.

Yeah so they're not designed to back out. It's a bit silly that the video says you can get the removal tool from supercheap, but the very worst case scenario there looks like there's enough meat on the side of the head to grip with vice grips or even multi grips or pliers to back them out. I would like to think security screws would be counter sunk to remove that option. To be fair though at the end of the day if a theif wants something bad enough they probably have thought of a way to get it anyway.

**aussiblue** · 11-10-2017, 07:50 PM

I assume the Superchap tool is like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZKEmGWzgtQ or https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Line-65.../dp/B00DUQ9LEM

galaxy xr8 · 11-10-2017, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Like these I imagine http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Pro...12-Pack/357550 and on the Video there says your local Supercheap store staff have a special tool for their removal. So I suspect Supercheap will do it for free if you call in at a quiet time.

Yeah thats them,

I rang Autobarn and they were unable to help but I haven't tried Supercheap yet so I will give them a go, thanks mate.

.:4:. · 11-10-2017, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

I assume the Superchap tool is like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZKEmGWzgtQ

I love it how there's a how to video on how to steal things somebody has tried to protect. Personally on rounded out screws or security screws (if I don't have the right bit, no I'm not a criminal) if they aren't going to be re used I belt a larger flat blade screwdriver in to create a slot then go from there.

galaxy xr8 · 11-10-2017, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Yeah so they're not designed to back out. It's a bit silly that the video says you can get the removal tool from supercheap, but the very worst case scenario there looks like there's enough meat on the side of the head to grip with vice grips or even multi grips or pliers to back them out. I would like to think security screws would be counter sunk to remove that option. To be fair though at the end of the day if a theif wants something bad enough they probably have thought of a way to get it anyway.

I've tried the vice grips to no avail, as the screws are located up high in the corners and the plate has a lip around the edge, it's impossible to get a solid bite of the screw head, and theres not much meat on the head itself to take advantage of.

Windsor220 · 11-10-2017, 08:02 PM

Just use a set of regular pliers

edit - just missed that you said you tried vice grips.

Bunnings and co usually sell security bit sets

Lunch · 11-10-2017, 08:05 PM

Yeah that's what the young fella across the road from me did, took him a while but he got there

**aussiblue** · 11-10-2017, 08:09 PM

Quote:

I love it how there's a how to video on how to steal things somebody has tried to protec

Yes and easily found by Googling. But they are not cheap or so readily available so not the tool that the casual thief is likely to have.....unless he or she has stolen them from somewhere else. Ditto with breaking into your car http://www.lockpicks.com/automotive/...ning-kits.html or even http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Car-Door-...QAAOSwOzxZrSxK but the casual thief will just break a window.

.:4:. · 11-10-2017, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

I've tried the vice grips to no avail, as the screws are located up high in the corners and the plate has a lip around the edge, it's impossible to get a solid bite of the screw head, and theres not much meat on the head itself to take advantage of.

Fair call. My plates are short 5 character plates so they are mounted by the inner holes. I've had extremely limited success with those screws (I've spent a lot of time doing demolitions ) bashing a screw driver to create a slot into the slope that stops reversal. The easy way is drill them out but you want to retain them so munting them up and risking the plates or the cars paint isn't an option at all.

nstg8a · 11-10-2017, 09:35 PM

I just use a big flat plate screw driver, plenty of pressure and unscrew them.

They're about as theft proof as leaving your keys in the ignition and your car parked in the street over night....

Tiger57 · 11-10-2017, 09:46 PM

Have you tried your local Paint and Panel Shop? They would be removing those screws all the time.

foxtrot3 · 11-10-2017, 09:56 PM

Hi. If the screw is made to be removed (not all of them are) there will be a small flat on the outer edge of the head of the screw. The tool that fits the screw get enough grip on this flat to remove the screw in most cases as the screw is only done up with a blade screwdriver. To find someone with the tool you need to find out who is doing the "free" fittings of these screws in your area, it may be a rotary club, a lions club or the SES. They should have a contact for someone with the tool, it could be a repco, a supercheap or an autobarn and it may be in the next suburb. and you will need the contact name for the holder of the tool, it wont be sitting in a box beside the till where everyone can get to it. If the screw doesn't have the small flat on it try using some 6 inch side cutters to get a grip on the edge of the screw as the cheap screws are a bit softer than the ones that use the tool. Cheers MD

galaxy xr8 · 11-10-2017, 10:27 PM

I put some elbow grease into them with the vice grips and got them out, so yeah if your fair dinkum they aren't really that much of an anti-theft, I suppose they would slow a would be thief down but still removable.

Anyway I have completed what I needed to do, thanks for everyones opinions and help.

bangm001 · 12-10-2017, 12:36 PM

I dont use them because I clean behind the plates every now and then!

Blue_XR · 12-10-2017, 01:16 PM

If you have access to a dremel use that with a small thin blade. Make a small notch then use a regular flat head screwdriver to get the screw out. I did it with my front number place when I needed to remove it and it worked a treat.

EB# · 14-10-2017, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

I put some elbow grease into them with the vice grips and got them out....

Similar situation here on a car I bought a couple of years ago. A few taps with a hammer and a screwdriver to loosen them and then pliers to wind them out.

I threw the stupid effing screws away and used regular ones.