Where to Buy a "Gamebit"?

[HurricaneAndrew]

Where would I go to find a gamebit?

A gamebit is the bit used to take the special screws out of SNES, N64, Gamecube, etc.

Specifically I want to know somewhere I can buy one, but NOT ON THE INTERNET!!!

Edit: I have tried all the tricks to make one, but they all suck.

[ryborg]

What's wrong with buying one on the internet?

[TwinThumbs]

I got mine at my local Ace Hardware. If you have one nearby, they'll likely have them.

[HurricaneAndrew]

I just don't have any way of buying anything off the internet -no credit/debit card-.
Plus I just find it easier to run to a store and pick one up rather than wait up to 2 weeks for it to show up on my doorstep after paying an ungodly amount on the internet.

Thank you, TwinThumbs, I will check at my local Ace Hardware. What is it called specifically?

[tofu]

It's called a 3.8mm security bit.

[jb143]

I got some at a hardware store as well. I think it was a Sears Hardware. Look/ask for security bits. The ones I made myself work a little better though. I'm not sure what methods you tried but drimmeling away the middle of old flathead bits worked great for me. Melted pens and so forth...not so much.

[Jorpho]

I just don't have any way of buying anything off the internet -no credit/debit card-.
Plus I just find it easier to run to a store and pick one up rather than wait up to 2 weeks for it to show up on my doorstep after paying an ungodly amount on the internet.I'm sure some places still take cheques/money orders. Or you can send such a cheque/money order to a trustworthy forum member here who can order one for you, perhaps. And the price can be perfectly godly if you look in the right place.

After a certain point running around all over town poking your nose into every hardware store becomes more of an inconvenience than waiting two weeks.

[tom]

You can get them here at 'Bauhaus', Germany.
Or 'Bricolage ', France
Or 'B&Q, UK

[StoneAgeGamer]

I have a bunch of these, send me a PM. I'm sure we can get you one somehow.

[TwinThumbs]

As I recall, mine were just labelled as security bits too. There are actually two sizes, a 4.5mm that works on the console screws (and Genesis carts) and the smaller 3.8mm that works on the cartridge screws.

[plasticMan]

HurricaneAndrew, did you get your gamebit yet?
i know you said internet is out, but some better bits are sold on the internet - so please reconsider and most places are like Jorpho said, in that accept checks. so all is not lost on that.

if you get one, don't go with those black one or dull gray ones. get those shiny silver ones. they are longer, stronger, and last longer. do a google for them and see your options. or buy one from the many sources listed by others in this post.

one last suggestion tho - try this place (nintendo screwdriver (http://www.newelectronx.com/join-email-list.php?letter_id=46&lettertype=&pageaction=browse)) found these to be the best i have used thus far.

[HurricaneAndrew]

No actually, I haven't...

I will keep all of that in mind, though!

[Poofta!]

I just don't have any way of buying anything off the internet -no credit/debit card-.
Plus I just find it easier to run to a store and pick one up rather than wait up to 2 weeks for it to show up on my doorstep after paying an ungodly amount on the internet.

Thank you, TwinThumbs, I will check at my local Ace Hardware. What is it called specifically?

stop being silly.

though, you can get it for like 70 cents w/ free shipping on dealextreme.com

[Flack]

Funny anecdote.

My old Wii modchip died, so I had to order another one. Came in the mail last week and I didn't even open the package -- I just took it (and my Wii) over to a friend's house. I couldn't find my old triwing, so I was hoping my friend would still have his. It took us like an hour, but we eventually found his old one.

Then we opened the package and two more gamebits (one of each size) fell out of the package.

[Jorpho]

I was about to write that I thought I recalled third-party DS spare batteries coming with gamebits too, but upon examination my DS just has a regular Phillips screw on its battery compartment, so I guess I was thinking about something else.

[garagesaleking!!]

honestly the internet would be cheaper than a store, but if the hardware store idea does not work out just check a local indy game store, the ones near me always carry unique things and ive seen them carry these before.

[BetaWolf47]

If you're in an area that has the store, CompUSA has kits that have it I think.

[The 1 2 P]

If you're in an area that has the store, CompUSA has kits that have it I think.

All the CompUSA's around here closed years ago. I didn't know there were any stilll open in the US.

I've also been looking for one of these bits since I've never been able to open my carts. I'm going to try Loews.

[Jorpho]

As mentioned elsewhere (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131969), a dremel and a flathead will do quite nicely.

[BetaWolf47]

All the CompUSA's around here closed years ago. I didn't know there were any stilll open in the US.

It's strange. There was one by me for a while which was just like another Circuit City or Best Buy. It closed a while after I moved in the area. Then, just a few months ago, a new one opened just across the street from the old one, and it's got more stuff for advanced electronics users now.

[HurricaneAndrew]

As mentioned elsewhere (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131969), a dremel and a flathead will do quite nicely.
I actually have done that. I don't have very good luck with it, though.

[r4irts]

I actually have done that. I don't have very good luck with it, though.
you are strong :D

[darkslime]

stop being silly.

though, you can get it for like 70 cents w/ free shipping on dealextreme.comCan you link me to that? I can only find screwdrivers to open DS / PSP systems on there.

And yeah, DX is a good site. I recommend them.

[WanganRunner]

Can't you just get a paypal account and fund it with a checking account balance?

You shouldn't necessarily NEED a card to buy stuff online.


Being limited to buying brick-and-mortar is almost prehistoric, you should be ashamed of yourself. You're borderline Amish.

[Jorpho]

Can't you just get a paypal account and fund it with a checking account balance?It's easy to be paranoid about Paypal suddenly deciding to march in and seize all the funds in the checking account.

[BetaWolf47]

Being limited to buying brick-and-mortar is almost prehistoric, you should be ashamed of yourself.

You're telling people who collect 20+ year old games that they should be ashamed about being prehistoric? Really?

[cooky560]

That's very true, paypal also have some scary new toys at thier disposal such as as far as I can see un-cancelable reoccuring payments, and the ability to remove funds from your bank if you don't have the funds in your account.

[plasticMan]

Funny anecdote.

My old Wii modchip died, so I had to order another one. Came in the mail last week and I didn't even open the package -- I just took it (and my Wii) over to a friend's house. I couldn't find my old triwing, so I was hoping my friend would still have his. It took us like an hour, but we eventually found his old one.

Then we opened the package and two more gamebits (one of each size) fell out of the package.

I hate it when that happens. ROFL

[Icarus Moonsight]

I have a few sets of 4.5 and 3.8mm bits that I got online, but I was looking for a Torx bit for a PC-E Duo a while back. I couldn't find a place online that just sold the single bit. All the searching only cropped Torx sets that included the pinned and unpinned bits. Running $15-$40 per set. Went to the local hardware store, described what I was after, and found a small Torx set in the discount bin and payed ~$3 after tax. Got the one I needed plus 19 extra of different sizes that I may never use.

Stores can still kick the internets ass, once in a while. :)

[BetaWolf47]

If you're in an area that has the store, CompUSA has kits that have it I think.

Update: The CompUSA kit, made by a company simply called "Ultra", does not have the Gamebit. It cost $40, but came with hex bits, torx bits, triwing, philips, flathead, square bits, jumpers, hex keys, a logic probe, exacto knife, a soldering iron, and solder, however. So looks like I just need a Gamebit :P