Have a case with a stripped screw, what's the best way to get it out?

[I4AT]

I ****** hate it when people overtighten the crap out of a screw. This is an ITX system so the case is tiny and leaves hardly any room to work in. How can I get it outta there and put a new screw in its place?

 

[A554SS1N]

eek, worst case scenario is using a small drill bit to drill it out, if that's at all possible.

 

[Zepper]

I would put a knife blade edge under the head and lift upward slightly while turning counterclockwise with the screwdriver .

.bh.

 

[I4AT]

Not sure if I'll be able to drill into the head, there's only enough room to get a stubby screwdriver in there so a drill would probably be out of the question. I'll try lifting the screw out some while turning, but the head is chewed up pretty good, so I hope I can still get enough leverage to turn it.

I don't even know why it was screwed in so damn hard to begin with, it's only there to hold in a plastic 2x1 inch L shaped bracket, but I have to get that out in order to reach the IDE headers. I guess worst case scenario I can take a dremel to the bracket and just hope I don't cut any of the wires behind it. I'm thinkin about tryin to bond a cheap bit to the screw head and then just loosening it out with a ratchet, any recommendations on what kind of adhesive to use?

 

[996GT2]

Hardware stores generally sell a kit for removing stripped screws, so maybe you should try those.

 

[swtethan]

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00952154000

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: swtethan
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00952154000

Yep exactly what I was talking about

 

[Jhhnn]

If it's a pan head or button head screw, you may be able to get a grip on it with some small visegrips.... If it's a flathead, then cutting a slot in it with a dremel and using a straightblade screwdriver may work. If you can access the backside, you may be able to start it moving with the visegrips, cut off the damaged threads, spin it on out...

 

[I4AT]

Hmm, I'll try one of those kits, might need to borrow a right angle drill from someone.

 

[I4AT]

Was able to drill out the head, now the shaft is still stuck in there and pliers are unable to remove it. Well at least the bracket is out.

 

[Rastus]

Hammer and screwdriver is quick and dirty.

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: Rastus
Hammer and screwdriver is quick and dirty.

"quick and dirty" doesn't help in an ITX case

:camera: would help