Atari Pong C-100 disassembly

[Caribeno]

Hi,

I'm trying to disassemble an Atari Pong C-100, and the screws that connect the base to the unit (under the battery pack) are some weird, 3 wing reversed (in the screw, the depth at the center is less than in near the border). I tried using pliers, but the screw is too round and the pliers just slip.

 

Has anyone had this problem around here? Any solutions?

 

Thanks!

 

Andres.

[+x=usr(1536)]

From the description, it sounds almost like what you need is a tri-wing security bit or screwdriver, but the depth equation is interesting.  Are you certain that there isn't a post in the centre of the screw head?

 

It may be possible to take a Torx security bit of the correct size, cut / file out three of the splines, and use that to remove the screw.

 

I had no idea that Atari used those on the C-100.

[+Mitch]

I had a very hard time finding a bit to open mine. I finally found one at McMasters-Carr. I think it is called tri-slot.

 

Mitch

[chas10e]

I think it's called a "Holt security screw" , I had  make my own:

 

https://imgur.com/a/ngmNH

 

Edited September 17, 2021 by chas10e

[Caribeno]

On 9/17/2021 at 3:27 PM, chas10e said:

I think it's called a "Holt security screw" , I had  make my own:

 

https://imgur.com/a/ngmNH

 

Yes! That's it, thank you so much!

 

And I love the idea in the article, I will try that instead of buying the tool. ?

[Caribeno]

Here it is my homemade Holt screwdriver. ? And it worked!

[towmater]

When you close it up, I recommend adding a washer to keep the plastic from being damaged further. While I was in there I added a 8-24volt regulator tuned to deliver 6 volts no matter the input, I switched the power jack to a modern barrel connector, and threw in a composite to HDMI adapter (in place of the battery holder.)

 

Unsurprisingly when I first opened the Pong, there were ca1976 batteries still inside.

Edited October 8, 2021 by towmater

[Rob Mitchell]

On 9/13/2021 at 10:20 PM, x=usr(1536) said:

It may be possible to take a Torx security bit of the correct size, cut / file out three of the splines, and use that to remove the screw.

 

I have three Atari Pongs so that means six tri-groove screws!   I used a spanner bit to remove 5/6 but the last one would not budge despite my best efforts!   (spanner is two dot or snake eyes screws)

 

Another search revealed this video ...   So I made a tool using a spare hex driver which allowed me to turn the screw about three times and then I could get my needle-nose vice grips on it.

 

Finally I can clean these pots for a great game of Catch!

 

Replacement screws are #6 phillips almost 2 1/2" long .. I plan to add some washers to the new screws to make up the difference.

 

 

Edited April 28, 2022 by Rob Mitchell