Help with confusing window-handle screw.

[BeginnersLuck1]

Hi guys - this is my first post here. I'm hoping someone can help me out as I've been losing my mind over this the last few days.

I am currently changing the window handles on a lot of the windows in my house. There’s no internal mechanism, just cockspur handles lodging against the back of a wedge. The first set have been no problem at all: tiny Phillips head screws that I’ve just taken out and put back in with the new handle:

Picture 1:

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• BeginnersLuck1
• 2 Oct 2013
• 1

However, I’ve come across a batch with a screw I cannot seem to get out no matter what I try. I’ve asked at hardware stores and locksmiths, and ideas have ranged from them needing allen or star keys (haven’t worked), to someone suggesting I’ll need to do a tap and die to get the screw out (seems a bit over the top).

I’ve attached a picture of the handle here (Picture 2), and a more close-up shot that tries to show what it looks like inside (Pictures 3 and 4). I did try to unlock it with a square-shaped screwdriver bit last night. It was the closet I got to getting anywhere: the piece fit, but it didn’t work in the end.

Picture 2:

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• BeginnersLuck1
• 2 Oct 2013
• 1

Picture 3:

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• BeginnersLuck1
• 2 Oct 2013
• 1

Picture 4:

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• BeginnersLuck1
• 2 Oct 2013
• 1

I'm running out of ideas now, so hopefully someone here can help me out. Thanks in advance!

 

[foxhole]

Does look like square drive bit is required [there are two sizes maybe you had wrong one] or they are riveted on and require drilling off.

 

[footprints]

These perhaps?

http://www.screwfix.com/search.do?fh_search=square+screwdriver+bit&fh_view_size=20

Or maybe two small electricians screwdrivers wedged in together.

 

[crank39]

Its a pop rivet, the flush fitting type not the normal domed head type, i'm sure theres a proper term for them but if you google image flush headed pop rivet you see how they work, they're kind of countersunk

 

[footprints]

That was my first thought crank39 but in the last pic there seems to be a square recess at the bottom.

 

[crank39]

That was my first thought crank39 but in the last pic there seems to be a square recess at the bottom.

Know what you mean but i'm pretty sure its a pop rivet, can't be anything much longer as the glass is right there, bet the screws only 1cm long

Thats another thing, be careful drilling otherwise i can see you needing a new DGU

 

[BeginnersLuck1]

Hi guys, thank you so much for your advice, that is a great help! Is it tricky to replace the rivets?

I'm guessing, drilling-wise, the right way to go it: enough pressure, but not too much, etc? I don't want to go through the glass!

Thanks again, I really appreciate your help!

 

[Burnerman]

I'm sure they are rivets too...aluminium ones are dead easy to drill, just don't use a drill bit thats too big.
Start at say a 3mm bit, then going up to 4mm and so on. If your luck is really in, the entire rivet will come out on the drill bit!
John

 

[BeginnersLuck1]

Thanks for that, John. Hopefully my luck will be in!