how to deal with a stripped screw!

[cobra11]

how do you deal with a stripped screw in a laptop?, ive used superglue, and then superglue with jb weld still no go, I was thinking maybe a rotary tool? what do yall think or recommend, and if I need the rotary tool then what kind?

 

[cobra11]

hey all I found a solution lmao idk why I didn't think about it, I just unscrewed the 2 that hold the drive (yes not ideal but I had some clearance to actually do it) and now have it all apart, I still have the troublesome screw in the bottom casing but its not a big deal perse, the hard drive caddy screw is also stripped but its alright as its hanging onto the board.. and since all the chips are on the bottom its easy to get to and clean them thanks everyone!

 

[Robert Cook]

where is this screw?

 

[aldan]

http/www.tomshardware.com/forum/topicfromemail/id/2781583?userId=1302134&answerId=16567320&hash=91a3d20e6ed584c64fd3a2a002b25ee82143dca5&xitiTracker=EPR-8809
look at the last post.

 

[cobra11]

where is this screw?

its on a dell xps l702x I bought off ebay, sadly it was like this already, its holding the blueray drive

if I need to use a rotary saw its alright cause the board and all is coming out, I plan on cleaning it all as my temps are pretty high for the cpu, and I know the vents are pretty dirty..

 

[Robert Cook]

Well, one way to get it would be to drill it out, I would try to use a hand drill for that.

 

[Kennyy Evony]

yea jewelry supply diamond cut off wheel thinnest you can buy and make a cut across the screw head with rotary tool then use flat head screwdriver to unscrew

 

[Robert Cook]

^ or just drill down the whole length of screw, I would only do that if the above fails.

 

[cobra11]

Is the screw stripped or the screw hole?

And which one is stripped? If it is one of the casing screws then just having one missing is not a big a deal. CPU socket screw or holding a board in place then that is an issue.

the screw head is stripped, and if I get it out its not going back in that's for sure.. its not even connected to the board just the back casing, but sadly to tear it apart the drive has to come out witch means this screw will have to go one way or another

 

[Robert Cook]

well once it is out you might be able to get a slightly larger one to bite in.

 

[boosted1g]

Putting the cut in the screw as suggested earlier is the best option for this.

Otherwise you will have to very carefully drill it out, and keep the bit lightly coated in drill oil; unfortunately they don't make any screw out bits for screws that small. If you have to drill it out you will need to get a bit smaller then the screw, the idea is to drill out most of the solid portion of the screw and the you can cave in the threads portion and take it out.

If only people would learn that you need to use the right sized bit for the job, and that you cant use a power drill/screwdriver for delicate work.

 

[Robert Cook]

^ yes they do, go to mcmastercarr or any other industrial supply company. I have seen drill bits the size of needles.

 

[boosted1g]

^ yes they do, go to mcmastercarr or any other industrial supply company. I have seen drill bits the size of needles.

Did not know they made the special screw-out bits that small

 

[Robert Cook]

Mc master carr has drill bits down to .002 of an inch. it is almost silly at that point.

 

[cobra11]

hey all I found a solution lmao idk why I didn't think about it, I just unscrewed the 2 that hold the drive (yes not ideal but I had some clearance to actually do it) and now have it all apart, I still have the troublesome screw in the bottom casing but its not a big deal perse, the hard drive caddy screw is also stripped but its alright as its hanging onto the board.. and since all the chips are on the bottom its easy to get to and clean them thanks everyone!

 

[Robert Cook]

^ it is a shame we cant chose that as best answer. because you beat us all. good thinking.

 

[Robert Cook]

wait you can be selected great.