Anyone recognize this fastener?

[ranger9]

Does anyone know what type of fastener this is? The fastener is just the internal circular part with six holes; the outer part is the roller it is retaining. The fastener is about 6mm in diameter.

This is the second example I've seen on current-model photo equipment; the other was securing the drive knob on a focusing rail and was about 18mm in diameter.

I'm thinking this may be a fairly new type of fastener and that we might be seeing more of them in the future. Anybody know what it's called? Thanks!

 

[zuikologist]

Is it an electrical fastener?

 

[RichC]

Possibly a tamper-proof screw - these (various types) are more and more common as manufacturers increasingly discourage users from fiddling with their products - in their eyes, no one should repair or service their stuff except them (for an exorbitant fee of course)!

The two-hole security screw is the most common, but you can get four-hole screws (https://www.fastenright.com/security...ne-screws/4h01). But I've never seen a six-hole security screw, nor has Google...

 

[farlymac]

Two holes would be enough from the looks of things. The other four holes may just be there to either facilitate getting the removal tool on it from different positions as in some applications there might be clearance issues, or they're just there to make it look cool.

PF

 

[ranger9]

Thanks for the replies. If it were just this one I would figure it was a custom-made one-off, but since I saw another in a different size I thought it must be a thing. (Although maybe it’s two custom jobs with the same thought.) Kind of amazing that it doesn't show up on Google image search, or on Amazon or eBay or McMaster-Carr!

I'm guessing the multiple holes are to make it easier to get a driver on it in locations with limited angular clearance.

If I find out what it is, I'll post.