I tried looking at McMaster-Carr, as they often have useful drawings of this sort of theine, but, the drawings for many of the security type bits are quite simple - at least in their pdf forms.
Oh, in case anyone is wondering, I am trying to add heat sinking to a LED light module to extend its life. Few LED lights are adequately heat sinked, and don't last for their rated lifetimes - a particular problem in summer... :-(
BTW, many sellers confuse Tri-Wing and Tri-Point bits. :-(
Yes, I have a lot of background in electrical and electronics work. :-)
Thanks in advance!!!
I’ll check in a bit later. Wifey will be home soon and I’ve not straightened out the kitchen yet!
The Amazon listing for this set says it is tri-wing.
Ah, I see they have the same set in tri-point. Sorry.
I always thought these “tri-point” screwdrivers were built to make something tamper-proof. Seems they are working even better than I expected.
One of these years the electrical code should make all of their fasteners the same. Currently they use square bits, phillips head, standard slots and this crazy tri tip
Absolutely drives me nuts when changing something out around my house.
My new preference for any screw is a Torx head.
vanity...how about reddit?
Oh, in case anyone is wondering, I am trying to add heat sinking to a LED light module to extend its life. Few LED lights are adequately heat sinked, and don’t last for their rated lifetimes - a particular problem in summer... :-(
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I have a large ‘corn’ type led yard light that came with a muffin type fan built in. I had one before that had too short a life span before the leds started to fail. I agree heat is a killer for the led.
Can you carefully file the bit down until it fits? Maybe use a cheap bit if you don't want to sacrifice a good one.
“Are these dimensions correct for tri-point (”Y”) screwdrivers or bits?” Always liked torx bits because I could never find the right size.
Have you tried Mouser, Digi-key or Grainger?
Personally, I would order the set - they seem to cover the most likely sizes - and one of those sizes is right between the 2 of yours that are either too small or too big.
Hmmm.... I had never heard of such so I looked it up......
Type Y screwdriver bits (also called Y-type, tri-point, trigram, or sometimes Y-tri-wing) feature a three-pronged “Y” shape that meets at the center. They are a security/tamper-resistant drive type, often used in electronics (like game consoles, laptops, appliances, and some Apple products), toys, and equipment to discourage casual disassembly.There is no single universal standard for sizing (unlike Phillips or standard Torx), so manufacturers vary in labeling. Bits are commonly designated in two main ways:Numerical designations (most common in precision/electronics repair sets): Y000, Y00, Y0, Y1, Y2, etc.
Metric diameter designations (common in professional/industrial tools): Y2.0, Y2.5, Y3.0, Y4, Y5, Y6, etc. (referring to approximate point-to-point or wing span in mm).
Common Type Y Bit SizesHere are the most frequently available and used sizes, with approximate correspondences based on tool catalogs, repair kits, and manufacturer data (e.g., from Wiha, iFixit-style sets, and common Amazon/eBay listings):Y000 or Y1.5 / 1.5mm — Very small; used in tiny screws (e.g., some iPhone or watch repairs).
Y00 or Y2.0 / 2.0mm — Small; common in electronics and game controllers.
Y0 or ~2.5mm — Slightly larger small size.
Y1 or Y3.0 / 3.0mm — Medium-small; frequent in laptops, consoles (e.g., Nintendo/Sony).
Y2 or ~4.0–5.0mm — Medium; one of the most common general sizes.
Y2.5 — Intermediate (less common but listed by some brands like Wiha).
Y3 — Larger medium.
Y4 — Common larger size (often ~4–5mm span).
Y5 — Larger; used in appliances or bigger security screws.
Y6 or ~6.0mm — Among the largest standard.
Y8 — Occasional very large variant (seen in some sets).
Smaller sizes (Y000–Y1) are typical for consumer electronics, while larger ones (Y4+) appear in industrial or appliance applications. Some sets label purely by mm (e.g., 4mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm), and others mix notations.Quick Comparison Table of Common Equivalents(Note: These are approximate cross-references; always match to your specific screw head for best fit.)Numerical Label
Approx. Metric (mm)
Typical Use/Example
Y000
~1.5mm
Ultra-small electronics
Y00
~2.0mm
Phones, small gadgets
Y0
~2.5mm
Controllers, toys
Y1
3.0mm
Laptops, consoles
Y2
~4.0–5.0mm
General security screws
Y3
Larger medium
Appliances
Y4
~5–6mm
Bigger devices
Y5
~5.5–6mm
Industrial/equipment
Y6
6.0mm+
Larger security
If you’re working on a specific device (e.g., iPhone, Nintendo Switch, or appliance), the exact size is often listed in repair guides like iFixit. Sets usually come in 4–10 piece kits covering the popular range (e.g., Y0–Y5 or Y2.0–Y6). Bits are typically 1/4” hex shank for use in drivers or drills, and many are magnetic.If this is for a particular repair or you have a photo of the screw/bit, provide more details for a precise match!