Pin-In 6-Lobe Security Screws
Pin-in 6-lobe screws use a six-lobe recess with a center security pin, which keeps an ordinary solid-tip Torx®-style driver from seating in the drive. Installing or removing the screw requires a matching pin-in security bit or driver. The drive is available across several screw forms for a range of assembly and installation needs.
How pin-in 6-lobe security drives work
A standard six-lobe (Torx®-style) recess is open in the center, so any solid-tip bit of the right size can seat and turn it. A pin-in security version adds a raised pin at the center of the recess. That pin blocks a solid-tip bit from seating fully, so the driver can't gain purchase on the lobes.
A matching hollow-tip security bit has a bore machined into its center that fits around the pin, allowing it to seat and engage the six lobes normally. Without that matching bit, the drive is difficult to turn with tools commonly kept in a general toolbox.
This makes the drive tamper-resistant, not tamper-proof — it is designed to discourage casual removal and unauthorized tampering, not to make removal impossible under all circumstances. Using the correct drive size and confirming full bit engagement before driving also helps reduce cam-out and damage to the recess during installation.
- Machine Screws
- Cap Screws
- Sheet-Metal Screws
- Self-Drilling Screws
- Concrete & Masonry Screws
Ranges shown represent what we generally offer across this drive, not every size in every form, material, and finish. Exact dimensions, availability, minimum quantities, and possible custom configurations should be confirmed when requesting a quote.
How to specify a pin-in 6-lobe security screw
The substrate and installation method largely determine the right form — a machine screw threads into a tapped hole or nut, a sheet-metal screw self-taps into thin material, a self-drilling screw drills and taps its own hole in metal, a cap screw is typically used with a tapped hole or nut in machinery and equipment assemblies, and a concrete/masonry screw anchors directly into masonry. Confirm the following before ordering, and include as much as possible on any RFQ:
- Screw form & threadMachine, cap, sheet-metal, self-drilling, or concrete/masonry, with thread size or pitch
- Diameter & lengthNominal diameter and overall or thread length
- Head styleButton, flat, pan, oval, or hex-washer
- Drive sizeT7 through T55, matched to head diameter
- Material18-8, 316, or 410 stainless, or alloy steel
- FinishPlain, zinc, or black oxide
- Installation environmentIndoor, outdoor, damp, or corrosive exposure
- Matching bit, key, or driverSized to the drive on the screw
- QuantityFor stock pricing or a custom production run
- Drawing or printRequired for any custom configuration
This list is a starting point for a quote request, not a substitute for engineering review of your specific application.
Order the tooling with the fasteners
A pin-in 6-lobe screw needs a matching hollow-tip bit or driver — the tool and drive size must match, and not every bit fits every screw. Confirm sizing when you order.
Bits & Keys →
Pin-in 6-lobe insert bits and L-keys that provide the matching hollow-tip engagement.
Drivers & Kits →
Hand drivers and multi-drive bit sets for installation, maintenance, and field service work.
Drive Guide →
Compare pin-in 6-lobe against our other security drive systems to confirm it fits your job.
Where controlled access matters
Pin-in 6-lobe screws are used where an assembly should only be opened or removed by someone with the matching tool, not by anyone with a common screwdriver or bit set.
- Electronics & Electrical Enclosures →
Keeps panels and equipment cabinets closed to unauthorized users.
- Public Restrooms & Partitions →
Resists casual tampering with fixtures in high-traffic public spaces.
- Transit, Rail & Signage →
Helps deter removal of public signage and fixtures exposed to the public.
- Machinery Guarding & Panels →
Keeps guards and access panels from being removed without the right tool.
- Amusement & Fitness Equipment →
Used on assemblies where unauthorized disassembly is a safety concern.
- Utility & Infrastructure →
Supports tamper resistance on outdoor enclosures and fixtures.
Standard configurations and custom specials
We can help identify a standard configuration that fits your application, or review requirements for a custom special. For a custom inquiry, provide a drawing or print with dimensions and tolerances, material, finish, quantity, application details, and any inspection or documentation requirements. We'll review what you send and follow up on feasibility.
Common questions
- What makes a pin-in 6-lobe screw tamper-resistant?
- A center security pin sits in the middle of the six-lobe recess. Removing the screw requires a driver with a matching hollow tip that fits around the pin, which discourages removal with commonly available tools.
- Can an ordinary solid-tip six-lobe bit remove a pin-in 6-lobe screw?
- An ordinary solid-tip six-lobe bit cannot seat properly around the center pin and therefore does not provide the intended engagement. A compatible hollow-tip security bit is required for normal installation and authorized removal.
- Which screw forms and head styles are available?
- Available configurations include machine screws, cap screws, sheet-metal screws, self-drilling screws, and concrete/masonry screws, generally in button, flat, pan, oval, and hex-washer head styles. Exact availability varies by size, material, and finish.
- Which materials and finishes are offered?
- Common materials include 18-8, 316, and 410 stainless steel and alloy steel, with plain, zinc, and black oxide finishes. Availability varies by size and form, so confirm specifics when requesting a quote.
- Does Screw & Supply provide matching security bits and drivers?
- Yes. Screw & Supply supplies pin-in 6-lobe bits, keys, and driver kits for installation and authorized removal. The tool type and drive size must match the fastener.
- Can Screw & Supply review custom 6-lobe security screw requirements?
- Yes. Send a drawing or print with your dimensions, material, finish, and quantity, and we will review the requirements with you.