Hard Drive Security Screw

Message

RRHODY · #1 Post by **RRHODY** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:47 pm

I previously reported that the DuBro packet of screws #2120 sold in hobby shops were substatially the same as the IBM allen wrench security screw to hold the hard drive in the 600 series. These screws come four to a packet and are 3mm X 6mm, with what DuBro calls a socket head (shaped to accept an allen wrench). I have just bought a DuBro #2123, 3mm X 10mm, packet of four at my local hobby shop for $1.65. I can see no difference between these screws and the IBM Security Screw that hold the drive in my T30. It also seems to fit my grandson's T21. I don't know what IBM/Lenovo charges for these screws, but I'd bet it is a lot more than four (4) for $1.65.
I haven't checked to see if DuBro makes the smaller screw that holds in the CD/DVD drive. It is the same diameter, 3mm, but a lot less in length that the 3mm X 6mm that holds the 600 HD. It looks to be about a 3mm X 3mm with the same security (allen wrench) head. I'm betting the do make such an animal, but how many of us bother to "lock" in our CD/DVD?

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:14 pm

Thanks for that info!

Don't know how many T2x systems I have laying about that are missing the HD security screw. I was just going through the T2x HMM yesterday and compiling a list of all of the different screws that are used. Seems like quite an assortment of M2 and M2.5 screws of non-standard lengths (M2x13.5mm, M2.5x3.5, 4.8 and 11.5mm ???). Know a good on-line source of metric screws?

RRHODY · #3 Post by **RRHODY** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:05 pm

DuBro has a web site with on-line catalog. They are mostly RC car parts, but they do carry bolts and nuts of all the small sizes. I haven't used their web catalog since the local hobby shop stocks what I'm looking for. The DuBro listing is extensive and I'm fairly sure they have the sizes you mentioned.

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:22 pm

Tried their web site (dubro.com) but their catalog only lists 3mm flat head screws, nothing smaller. The T2x systems use many 2.5 and 2mm screws internally. Also, the "standard" lengths seem to be in 2mm increments; the ones in the laptop are odd lengths as I mentioned earlier. Sure, some of them can be replaced by slightly shorter (NEVER longer) screws but I'd like to stick with the original sizes if at all possible. The hardest one to replace appears to be the M2.5x4.8mm. Closest is M2.5x4mm.

#5 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:12 pm

M2.5x4.5 and others here:
http://www.fastener-express.com/index.a ... tegory=248

#6 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:53 pm

Hhmmm...

M2.5 x .45 x 5mm. Might work as a replacement for the M2.5 x 4.8mm. The "45" listed on their page is a typo. It should be ".45" as that refers to the thread pitch. So, let's see what the match-ups are:

IBM spec'ed vs. Fastener-Express
M2 x 4mm (bind) = couldn't find the type of head in metric
M2 x 13.5mm (pan) = M2 x 12mm (litte short, but might work)
M2.5 x 3.5mm (flat) = M2.5 x 5mm (too long)
M2.5 x 4.8mm (flat) = M2.5 x 5mm (slightly too long)
M2.5 x 11mm (flat) = none (longest is 6mm)
M2.5 x 14mm (bind) = couldn't find the type of head in metric

A site that I just ran into has a search function, but it doesn't have the right combination of head styles/lengths, so the search goes on....

AaronsMetricScrews.com

dsvochak · #7 Post by **dsvochak** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:39 am

This topic keep re-appearing. Maybe we should make a list and make it a sticky. Anyhow

RRhody is a proponent of DuBro

I have just bought a DuBro #2123, 3mm X 10mm, packet of four at my local hobby shop for $1.65.

Thats 41¢ apiece. Most of these screws are available at any good hardware store (or Home Depot) or bicycle shops. The last time I bought any I paid 6¢ apiece.

Hard Drive Security Screw

Hard Drive Security Screw

source for screws

Who is online