Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Locking Screws for Speakers

This is topic Locking Screws for Speakers in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 08-22-2002, 11:32 PM:

Anyone ever heard of (or used) locking screws to secure transducers into speaker cabinets?

Just in case it matters, these are JBL 4000 series speaker cabinets. I am replacing a ton of transducers that were STOLEN and I don't plan on doing this again.

I've heard that a special locking screw exists. The concept is similar to what people are doing to prevent their car tires/rims/hubcaps from being stolen.

~Manny (rock it to me, sock it to me.)

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 08-23-2002, 05:06 AM:

Manny, yes we went through this -- speaker theft. Any security supplier will be able you to get non-reversable screws. They are only a mild deterrent because there is a tool that can be used to unscrew them. This becomes a real problem if you have to replace a driver and you've lost the tool. We are investigating the cost of a simple heat and motion sensing security system that would throw a beam across the surrounds which would set off an alarm if disturbed. We also were thinking of running an additional pair in the speaker cable so that if the cable were broken at any of the speaker terminals, it would sound an alarm.

We came to the conclusion that non-reversing security screws were not worth the hassle and don't really present that big of a deterrent.

Frank

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 08-23-2002, 06:34 AM:

Thanks, Frank. I like the idea of setting up an alarm system using continuity.

But...if I wanted to be an evil little troublemaker and get these screws anyway...where might I begin looking and what (exactly) is the name of the product I am describing?

What size screw holds the JBL 4000 series drivers in place?

I am trying to gather info to help my supplier in case these things are "unheard-of."

~Manny (where shopping is a pleasure.)

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 08-23-2002, 07:14 AM:

Torx or hex security screws with a center post might offer some deterrence as a special tool is required to remove them. Here are some pictures.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-23-2002, 07:21 AM:

There is an older topic on speaker and subwoofer theft

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-23-2002, 07:52 AM:

There is an aircaft screw we use with two pin heads on the screw head which uses a special screwdriver which will also allow you ( with the screwdriver ) to replace speakers for future repairs. Also speaker grills.
Richard Fowler
TVP-Theatre & Video Products Inc. www.tvpmiami.com

Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 08-23-2002, 01:07 PM:

Wouldn't the same type of screws and bolts that are used to assemble restroom stalls work? I've noticed many times while "standing and staring at the wall, that all of the stalls have these non-reversing screws.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 08-23-2002, 05:36 PM:

quote:
Manny, yes we went through this -- speaker theft.

People steal your speakers?

How? When? During the night? While the theatre is open?

This is a new one on me; the only theft of speakers I have ever heard of was from a closed theatre.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 08-23-2002, 05:45 PM:

Stephen:

Happens all the time all across the USA---people steal subwoofer drivers (usually to put in their cars). Sometimes it's an inside job by theater employees or janitors.

Barry:

The screws you are think of are called either "prison" screws or "one way security" screws. This is what is being used here in the Seattle area to prevent the theft and it's working.

Posted by Gerard S. Cohen (Member # 994) on 08-23-2002, 05:50 PM:

A multiplex I worked numerous times lost 34 speakers to theft in a single day. It was suspected to be an inside job.

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 08-23-2002, 08:40 PM:

quote:
There is an older topic on speaker and subwoofer theft

Yes, yes...I've been there, read that. But I wanted to know who makes these screws and if anybody actually had used them. Steve's post with a link and pics is exactly what I was hoping I'd get today.

I'm really sorry if it annoys people that I want to discuss "an old topic." But, I researched this and I didn't feel as though it had been discussed "to death."

Thanks.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 08-23-2002, 08:46 PM:

Those security Torx screws are very effective. They're often used on exposed areas of pinball machines and video games. But be aware that most well-stocked home-improvement stores like Home Depot sell the special tools for removing them (highly unlikely that a casual thief is going to know this though).

Posted by Pete Lawrence (Member # 130) on 08-23-2002, 11:22 PM:

Take a look at McMaster-Carr www.mcmaster.com and search for "security screws". Their probably the biggest damn hardware store on the planet, quick delivery, and you can shop on-line.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-24-2002, 04:22 AM:

Just a tip Manny, next time go ahead and pull a Charles Everett and just bump the thread back to the top, instead of starting a new one. That way the entire discussion is fresh for everyone to read without having to search through the archives.

By the way, I saw some kind of bizarre screw with no head on it in some sound racks today. There was one "security screw" in each of the items in the sound rack, clearly to prevent theft. It looked more like a nail that was hammered in actually. Can someone tell me what this is, and more importantly, what kind of tool is required for the day one of those pieces of equipment die and must be sent in for repair?

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 08-24-2002, 06:39 AM:

Speaker theft happens here too. We've had surrounds stolen and even an entire JBL Sub, cabinet and all! How they got that out iwth nobody noticing is beyond me!

Also we get surround vandalism in some places, if they can't be mounted high enough on the wall to escape the attentions of the local knife carrying idiots.

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 08-24-2002, 06:46 AM:

POST DELETED BY USER

DUPLICATED BELOW with editing.

"Where is Brad Miller when you need him?"
--I will never forget the day my tech blurted that one out!

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 08-24-2002, 06:48 AM:

Everyone: Thanks so much for chiming in. I've gone from "never heard of them" to "here's where we'll get them" in less than 24hours.

Ken: That website is great, but I haven't yet seen any mention of the tools required for those heads. Do they "come with" the screws when you order them?

Brad: You know, I actually have bumped up some ancient articles before. I've been having a lot of late nights here with these upgrades and I just wasn't thinking straight. Sorry.

Gordon: That may not have come out right. Too many late nights; not enough "edit" button. I'm rested now and I just re-read this thread and I see where you could read that and feel that was an attack. It wasn't intended that way.

~Manny.

Posted by Joe Smith (Member # 190) on 08-24-2002, 10:51 AM:

Manny,

I usually get the security screw tools from Jensen Tools at jensentools.com. They should have what you need. I doubt if the tool will come with the screws but whoever you get the screws from should also sell the tools.....

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-24-2002, 12:15 PM:

Wera tools makes one of the best sets of security drive bits out there

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 08-26-2002, 01:10 AM:

quote:
By the way, I saw some kind of bizarre screw with no head on it in some sound racks today. There was one "security screw" in each of the items in the sound rack, clearly to prevent theft. It looked more like a nail that was hammered in actually. Can someone tell me what this is, and more importantly, what kind of tool is required for the day one of those pieces of equipment die and must be sent in for repair?

That brings up an interesting idea: pop rivets. I don't think they'd be the thing to use in a rack where drilling them out would send metal filings everywhere you don't want them, but in a speaker cabinet the sight might just be discouraging enough to deter screwdriver theft.

Of course in a lot of cases, when folks want to steal something they think is pretty but can't get it out, they just vandalize it sort of in retaliation. You'd also need to worry with security screws if thieves wouldn't hack the cabinets to flinders to carve them out.

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 08-26-2002, 06:28 AM:

Well if they want it badly enough they'll get it anyway...

Flinders, eh?

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 07-18-2007, 10:08 PM:

It has been 1787 days since the last post.