Is there a tool that makes this easier?

[rhamblin]

We have a few I-line panels at our facility, and in addition the covers being large and heavy, they seem to have these weird rotary clamps.



The rotary clamp part only has two little notches and sometimes none. The only way I can figure to get them to rotate is to use a flat tip blade screwdriver. But the manufacturer must've had something in mind when they made these. Does anyone have any idea what that is?

 

[drcampbell]

Spanner-tip screwdriver? (aka. Snake Eyes)

 

[jumper]

They are old "wire pinchers", everyone hates them

Slotted screw driver is all you need.

The notches indicate the position of the clamp/arm on the inside.

Use fingers to apply pressure to the disc as you either tighten or loosen so as to keep the desired position.

Third pic looked like an alteration.

 

[jumper]

Spanner-tip screwdriver? (aka. Snake Eyes)

View attachment 19068

For a slotted screw?:happyno:

 

[GoldDigger]

They are old "wire pinchers", everyone hates them

Slotted screw driver is all you need.

The notches indicate the position of the clamp/arm on the inside.

Use fingers to apply pressure to the disc as you either tighten or loosen so as to keep the desired position.

Third pic looked like an alteration.

:thumbsup:
Since the rotation of the screw relative to the body of the clamp is limited, you can often use the screwdriver to turn the assembly "backwards" until you get the clamp arm into the right position, then apply finger pressure as you suggest.

 

[jumper]

:thumbsup:
Since the rotation of the screw relative to the body of the clamp is limited, you can often use the screwdriver to turn the assembly "backwards" until you get the clamp arm into the right position, then apply finger pressure as you suggest.

and pray there is not a snagged hot wire.

 

[480sparky]

For a slotted screw?:happyno:

For the raised bumps on the 'washer' surrounding the screw.

They were designed to be turned by finger, but they are usually so screwed up now that you need three men and a horse to turn some of them.

 

[rhamblin]

They were designed to be turned by finger, but they are usually so screwed up now that you need three men and a horse to turn some of them.

hence my searching for something better to open the panel with.
Thanks for the info guys.

 

[dpcarls1598]

I’ve had to drill and tap 1/4-20 threads on the lip with a 5/16” hole in the cover and I use a short Phillips head 1/4-20. Besides being wire pinchers, they also tend to slide down easily. IMO, they were a bad design.

 

[K8MHZ]

When I was into fixing cameras, I had some tools called 'friction drivers'. They were pieces of rubber mounted on a wooden handle made to turn things that had no provisions for wrenches. I made my own.

I would bet a hollow tip friction driver could be made to deal with these nasties. I have always been able to get them off, two people on larger panels help, but I do agree, there has got to be a better way.

 

[jumper]

I’ve had to drill and tap 1/4-20 threads on the lip with a 5/16” hole in the cover and I use a short Phillips head 1/4-20. Besides being wire pinchers, they also tend to slide down easily. IMO, they were a bad design.

I would horrible instead of bad.

Betcha the no good rotten blankety blank who designed these POS never worked with one.

 

[K8MHZ]

I would horrible instead of bad.

Betcha the no good rotten blankety blank who designed these POS never worked with one.

And laughed all the way to the bank.

+1 on Horrible design.

 

[kwired]

No loose screws to lose wasn't a bad idea, but those that backed the main operating screw out too far always lost parts or never reassembled them correctly and messed them up.