PDA

View Full Version : HELP! Very Stubborn Screw



qe2eqe
July 21st, 2008, 09:54 AM
tiny (phillips head) screw in the half-disassembled laptop is --stuck--, and has a stronger steel than all my screwdrivers, ostensibly. Any ideas?

I tried using a dremel to make a flat bit that fit - no good. I tried dripping air duster liquid onto it, again, no good, I hope i didn't ruin the nearby chip...

I tried tapping it lightly with a hammer... again, no dice.

What else is there?

Dixon Bainbridge
July 21st, 2008, 10:01 AM
You might have to drill the screw out. There are tips on the internet to do this - need a steady hand though. Google is your friend.

JagDragon
July 21st, 2008, 10:05 AM
Get new screwdrivers?

kko1
July 21st, 2008, 10:48 AM
Get new screwdrivers?

+1

And, while trying with the new (hopefully stronger) one, use a pair of pliers (on the screwdriver's handle) to multiply your rotation momentum (EDIT: make that torque or moment (without um)) and to give you a better possibility to hold the screwdriver down in contact with the screw with your other hand.

Worth trying at least, before trying to drill it out. ;)

fatality_uk
July 21st, 2008, 12:21 PM
tiny (phillips head) screw in the half-disassembled laptop is --stuck--, and has a stronger steel than all my screwdrivers, ostensibly. Any ideas?

I tried using a dremel to make a flat bit that fit - no good. I tried dripping air duster liquid onto it, again, no good, I hope i didn't ruin the nearby chip...

I tried tapping it lightly with a hammer... again, no dice.

What else is there?

1) Laptops and hammers don't usually mix ;)

2) I think theres a micro bit for the dremmel. Use that to slightly deepen the cross in the screw.

3) As above, get a good quality screwdriver. Luckily I was given a great PC set by Belkin as a freebie and the screwdriver in there fits perfectly for all PC work. Think about a specialist PC screwdriver set.

issih
July 21st, 2008, 12:45 PM
*Begin pointless physics rant*
Rotation Momentum ?????? The principle you were talking about is the turning force or torque, nothing to do with momentum...oh and its called angular momentum if you are talking about the momentum of a spinning object...
*end pointless physics rant*

Sorry something came over me there..

As for getting screws out...
1) Good screwdriver

2) Don't keep trying with bad screwdrivers you'll ruin the screw head

3) Some sort of lubricant (tricky when dealing with nearby chips)

4) some sort of screw extractor:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18643/Drill-Bits/Specialist-Drill-Bits/Screw-Extractor-Set?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-Datafeed-_-Drill%20Bits-_-Screw%20Extractor%20Set
These are mostly too big for laptop screws though :(
4) Drill it out

You've tried most to no avail I see.. I managed to get a recalcitrant one out on the laptop I recently repaired by taking every other screw out and wiggling the two case halves about it like a pivot..This was a really dumb and stupid way to do it, but I was tired and fed up, I got lucky though.

kko1
July 21st, 2008, 03:10 PM
*Begin pointless physics rant*
Rotation Momentum ?????? The principle you were talking about is the turning force or torque, nothing to do with momentum...oh and its called angular momentum if you are talking about the momentum of a spinning object...
*end pointless physics rant*

Sorry something came over me there..

Yeah yeah...

As it happens, English isn't my first language, but thanks anyway, I should've actually known it's torque in English. It's also called moment though, so turning moment wouldn't be far off. (Not to be mixed with momentum like I did.) I've edited the post accordingly.

Just trying to help a fellow get (un)screwed the way he'd like. :)

(BTW, your number 2 is essential too.)

jryprt
July 21st, 2008, 03:33 PM
Uses a drill bit the size of the screw head , drill the head off , then take apart the laptop & use pliers
to remove the rest of screw

adamogardner
July 21st, 2008, 04:26 PM
jryprt has the right idea if your messing up the screw before messing up the machine. I would advise removing with vicegrips if the threaded portion is as stuck as you claim.

Paqman
July 21st, 2008, 04:54 PM
Get yourself some Screwgrab (http://main.screwgrab.com/) or something similar, it's absolutely magic. It does wear out the tips on your screwdrivers though, so save it for emergencies.

If that doesn't work you might be in trouble. The standard way to get badly seized screws out is to use a screw extractor (eg: "Easy Out"), but i'm guessing that the wee screws in your laptop are way too small for that. Same problem with just drilling it, you'll probably gash out the threads unless you're very, very careful and accurate (ie: not a job for hand tools)

Best bet is to get some screwgrab, a decent screwdriver, and like kko1 said, get hold of the driver with some pliers while pressing down HARD on the screw with a nice firm even twisting motion.

issih
July 21st, 2008, 11:06 PM
Heh thanks for editing that kk01, it makes my inner scientific pedant much happier :), I was only really joking though...honest...*twitches uncontrollably*

kko1
July 22nd, 2008, 08:13 AM
Heh thanks for editing that kk01, it makes my inner scientific pedant much happier :)

I know how it is, you're welcome. :)

qe2eqe
September 16th, 2009, 02:07 AM
I know this topic is old as the hills, and I'm sorry I never posted my solution (kludge).

The screw was kind of redundant, and it only held the board in place against the plastic. My safe, specialized-tool-lacking solution? Cut the plastic.

zakany
September 16th, 2009, 02:25 AM
And to think I clicked on this thinking the OP needed some dating advice.

koshatnik
September 16th, 2009, 12:50 PM
And to think I clicked on this thinking the OP needed some dating advice.

I was thinking exactly the same thing.

Trail
September 16th, 2009, 01:03 PM
Ahh, screw it.

Elfy
September 16th, 2009, 01:07 PM
Glad you got it out - but I'll close now I think.