Titanium band adjustment

I got the DLC coated titanium band. Took it out from the box and fiddled with it for a while. It had plastic wrapping all over to protect the surface which made the band also rigid. Took out my micro head screwdriver set, China quality from the 80's, and tried to unscrew one slotted screw. Way tight. Took pliers to the screwdriver and twisted, felt the screw coming loose. Tried another screw this way and the screwdriver slipped. Decided to put it down and get a bigger screwdriver but did not have one in my tool box, and had to drive to the hardware store to buy a proper set. I got a German made electronics bit set, which looked like having tempered bits in the correct size.

The screws have thread locker on them so you need a proper screwdriver and big enough shaft on it to apply proper force. Press firmly, and turn slowly to break the threadlock. After that just press enough for the screwdriver to stay in place to not destroy the threads.

I suggest using a bench so you won't strip the screws. I did it by hand and slipped a couple of times, just bear in mind that the watch or the bracelet is not in the way where your screwdriver will slip. Twist the screwdriver slowly, very slowly.

The slot size is 1,4 mm. I used 1,2 and 1,4 mm to unscrew them. Proceed carefully, when you have the screw loose put your fingers over the screw and the screwdriver to avoid slipping. When installing also put your fingers over them, screw half a turn counterclockwise and then clockwise all the way to avoid stripping the threads.

Good tempered head bits or big enough screwdrivers are found only in more expensive kits, so it's a little overkill to spend that much money just to adjust one band. The screws have threadlocker in them so it's not a walk in job at a jewelers. I also got a ten buck phone repair set with 1,2 and 1,4 mm flatheads from the hardware store as I was not certain which size the screw head was on the China made set. It was a one time try as the flathead on that set twisted.

If you break the band, you can have a jeweler drill the pins and install straight pins with glue threadlocker. It's always good to have a contingency.

Use a bench and a proper size screwdriver. I took out two pieces from both sides, four altogether and it took about half an hour, without a bench, sitting at my work desk. The band costs in the ball park of 300 bucks so putting a soldering iron on it is not an option for me and the hole is 1,5 mm as the screws are recessed. You end up just heating the band.

Use gloves for example if you don't have any way of securing the band.

Always a sucker for punishment .....  I bought a Vented Titanium band 22mm for my Fenix 6 saphyre. While there was thread locker on the screws they were relatively easy to loosen. Seems like there is a batch of 26mm Vented Titanium bands in which the thread locker was over done. The band on my 6X Pro Solar was almost impossible to loosen, required a jeweler to apply heat to loosen them. The soldering iron doesn't damage he screw or even discolour them, just loosens the thread locker.

I think the problem is some are way to tight an others are as they should firm but yielding. Even on the same band, some screws are easier to loosen than others.

Final update. Garmin "Straya", replaced my 26mm vented titanium band that came with the 6x pro solar ... not as an warrantee claim, but as a gesture of good will! It arrived today and within 10 minutes I had removed3 links to get the right fit, screws were firm but easy to remove. In fact similar to the 22mm vented titanium. This just confirms to me that there was a manufacturing error in a batch of 26mm vented titanium bracelets that came with the 6x pro solar, in which too much or the wrong grade "loctite" or equivalent was used. Anyhow all is now good. The only question is which one do I prefer?

All others say - unscrew the pins... but thats only right for the newer vented titanium bands!
The older ones uses springs they have to pushed out...

The newer ones:
PART NUMBER 010-12863-09
PART NUMBER 010-12863-08

The older one:
PART NUMBER 010-12740-02

From your picture the 6 looks a better fit than the 6X. This is also the same for myself when I tried both 6 and 6X on in the shop. I opted for the 6 titanium with titanium band which should arrive tomorrow! The 6X just looks a bit disproportionate. The compromise is the better battery life and larger screen if you're using maps a lot.

I've had the same problem.  I took mine to a jeweler who couldn't get them out either.  He said he tried heat, "a solvent" and brute force but could only remove one screw.  He damaged 3-4 of the screw heads in the process.  I called Garmin and they had me take pictures of my damaged band and email them to Garmin.  On Monday they are sending me a new band and a "special tool" (that's what the lady on the phone called it) to remove the screws.

I bought a Garmin 6 Pro Solar and try as I might I couldn't loosen the pins in the titanium strap. I tried heat from a very small soldering iron with no success. I also tried a glue-removing solvent and still no luck. Even my local jeweller tried and gave up. In the end I contacted Garmin support and after a bit of pressure from my end they agreed to have the strap returned to them. After a couple of weeks I received a brand new strap along with a precision screw driver. The pins came out very easily (using the supplied screw driver and with any other appropriate size screw driver for that matter). Reading through the forum it is clear that this is a problem that a number of buyers have experienced over some months. My replacement strap was simple to adjust in comparison with the impossibly tight pins in the original strap. For those that are having similar issues I would strongly recommend returning the strap to Garmin in order to receive a replacement that doesn't have this problem.

After I posted my comment (above) I tried filling a small jar with WD-40 and soaking the band in it for a few hours.  The screws came out easily and no damage to the band (no tarnish or anything).  I figured it was worth a shot as Garmin has shipped a free replacement band and tool to me anyway.