4
Score
Ben Eisenman
53.5k
Asked
What are your tips/tricks for removing or extracting stripped screws?
I come across an absurd amount of stripped screws (Apple refurb machines often have stripped screws in them, as do other machines I work on, and I have been known to strip a screw or two on my own).
As a whole, what are your best tips and tricks for getting these annoyances out without damaging the machine? I'd love to hear some seasoned answers!
5
Score
rdklinc
15.3k
Answered
Accepted Answer
I use a Dremel tool with the thin round disc cutting attachment to cut a groove into the head of the screw, at which point it's often possible to use a flathead screwdriver to get it out. Just be careful not to cut too deep, because you'll run the risk of cutting half the head of the screw off, and then things are even more difficult.
In the case of the bottom casing of iBooks, I often end up just ripping the case right off when one of the three long screws won't come out, and then I use a heavy wrench to turn the screws and get them out once the casing has been removed. Fortunately the screwholes break off pretty cleanly, so it's possible to put the bottom casing back on later and it's not apparent (unless you look really hard) that damage has been done.
Thanks for your answer! I have used the Dremel trick, and it is a lifesaver for me for peripheral screws, but do you attempt the same when the screws are on the logic board? Or is there another method you prefer in such an instance?
Yeah, that gets tricky. I don't know that I have the perfect answer. In some cases I've had success using an electric drill with a small bit to drill straight down through the screw, basically just destroying and breaking the screw into pieces in place where it sits, which can sometimes loosen things up enough to get the screw fragments out and free everything up. But of course that's a little risky because if you slip you can damage the board. I just found this "screw extractor" tool on the net...dunno if it's any good but maybe worth a try? There seem to be several various tools like this around, now that I'm looking. http://www.ronhazelton.com/archives/tips...
3
Score
040304
4.7k
Answered
1
Score
Chavdar Sirakov
187
Answered
I've seen a special liquid product for stripped screws at the hardware store. I've never tried it myself but you apply it on the stripped head and after it cures a bit, it's supposed to help you unscrew the thing.
Here's the product that I'm talking about
If the link doesn't work for you, google it, it's called Bison Grip or Bison Screw Grip.
1
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Chavdar Sirakov
187
Answered
Another solution that I've seen being sold (again, haven't tried it) is a set of special drill bits.
The drill bit ends with a reamer on one end and a screw remover on the other.
And I quote:
"The reamer bit drills out a small conical hole in the damaged screw head, while the screw removing bit digs into the sides of that hole and pulls the screw out."
It's something like this piece from Amazon (Alden-8440P-Grabit-Damaged-Extractor) though there are many alternatives:
0
Score
rab777hp
12.6k
Answered
0
Score
jogi
1
Answered
0
Score
Jess
1
Answered
I've been working at what I thought was a stripped screw in the right fan on my logic board (MB Pro A1150) for over two weeks now. I just got it out & discovered that the screw isn't stripped; the hole is. Anyway, I got it out by using my micro screwdriver as a lever under the tab of the fan that the screw was in & I pushed down on that until I had enough room to place a razor blade under the other side & then I began unscrewing the screw with the torx screwdriver while I held tension on those with the other hand, & it began to come up bc it used the razor blade as a thread. I have yet to be able to get the one on the other side out, but I was quite ecstatic to get this one out! I'll keep trying on the other side though so that I can finally change out the logic board since this is keeping me from doing so at the moment. Hope this helps someone. ~Jess