PSA: I discovered the best way to remove stripped screws

[brainhulk]

Don't use those screw extractors, they are ftl.

Just use a dremel with steel cutter attachment to cut a new groove into the head of the screw. It was very easy. Just make sure to wear goggles because sparks will fly

/puttingupblackoutcurtains.blog.atot

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

This may be new to you, but it ain't new to me.

 

[SunnyD]

*yawn* been doing this since I was about 3 years old, thanks. (no, seriously)

 

[gorcorps]

put a wide rubber band between screwdriver and screw head

 

[brainhulk]

This may be new to you, but it ain't new to me.

*yawn* been doing this since I was about 3 years old, thanks. (no, seriously)

did you guys make a post when you discovered it? No???

Then all your claims are invalid.

 

[Via]

hacksaw

 

[zinfamous]

easiest method is to just hammer it further into the substrate and spackle over the spot or paint over it, whatever.

 

[highland145]

Yeah but how do you remove dead screwed strippers?

 

[zinfamous]

Yeah but how do you remove dead screwed strippers?

Don't you just leave them in the mattress?

 

[highland145]

Don't you just leave them in the mattress?

Heck no. Gotta make room for tonight's guest. Nobody can stop at just one.

 

[Jeff7]

Another method of removing the screw, if you've got room for it: Vise-grips.


Next challenge: Removing a headless steel #4-40 self-tapping screw from aluminum. The damn thing went and tapped itself right into a shallow grave.
Then, several successful screws later, another one decided to do the same thing. (And this is nothing to do with a screwed stripper.)


Related note: Don't use small stainless steel self-tapping screws, unless you're screwing them into hot butter. Those heads twist off like they were designed to do it.

 

[Fenixgoon]

use hex-cap in the first place

</thread>

 

[Meghan54]

did you guys make a post when you discovered it? No???

Then all your claims are invalid.

No, probably no one made a post about it because your "discovery" has been known for decades upon decades. Was taught that method, actually using a file to create the slot, back in the late '50's. No internet, no internet posting.

But your "discovery" has been written about in numerous fix-it books for half a century, at least. Good to be finally included at the party, sucks that you're so late to it, tho.


PSA...you cannot discover what is already known. Nice try, tho.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I've always done it that way.

 

[Rakehellion]

Another method of removing the screw, if you've got room for it: Vise-grips.


Next challenge: Removing a headless steel #4-40 self-tapping screw from aluminum. The damn thing went and tapped itself right into a shallow grave.
Then, several successful screws later, another one decided to do the same thing. (And this is nothing to do with a screwed stripper.)


Related note: Don't use small stainless steel self-tapping screws, unless you're screwing them into hot butter. Those heads twist off like they were designed to do it.

Maybe you should use a torque limiter on your power drill. Which is to say, stop choking her after she passes out.

 

[shortylickens]

Maybe you should use a torque limiter on your power drill. Which is to say, stop choking her after she passes out.

Thread is getting better.

 

[arcenite]

PSA...you cannot discover what is already known. Nice try, tho.

There's an entire holiday that says you are wrong

 

[exdeath]

Quickly pack the damaged part in ice and get to the ER. They might be able to reattach.

 

[notposting]

Assuming there is enough screw and the surface is safe for dremel grinding.

Also, this set is awesome: awesomeness

 

[Jeff7]

Maybe you should use a torque limiter on your power drill.
...

Nope, no calibrated torque limiter - I was driving them in by hand.

Then by just fingers.


I was attaching LED strips to some surplus heatsinks with drilled holes.
Some of them seem to have been tempered differently, or perhaps even used different alloys. Some of the heatsinks were more resilient than others.



...ain't touchin' the rest of that post....

 

[alkemyst]

reverse drill bit prior to extractor in my opinion.

If you can slot the screw that's usually easiest.

 

[SSSnail]

PSA...you cannot discover what is already known. Nice try, tho.

LOL, good luck trying to tell Apple that.

 

[Doppel]

Don't use those screw extractors, they are ftl.

Just use a dremel with steel cutter attachment to cut a new groove into the head of the screw. It was very easy. Just make sure to wear goggles because sparks will fly

/puttingupblackoutcurtains.blog.atot

Works decently although an impact screwdriver is a good tool too. The deemed trick can sometimes backfire though if the cut is so wide that it significantly weakens the head. The flat head screwdriver can then twist one of the new sides clean off.

 

[Kaido]

Really, better than screw extractors? I've had good luck with those before. Found some on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Alden-8530P-Gr...dp/B000ETLK7O/

http://www.amazon.com/Moody-Tools-58...dp/B000JCT3W0/

My buddy in the maintenance dept. introduced me to these when a tiny screw inside a laptop I was working on stripped. Mind. Blown.

 

[Eug]

Since this is a computer site...

Don't use those screw extractors, they are ftl.

Just use a dremel with steel cutter attachment to cut a new groove into the head of the screw. It was very easy. Just make sure to wear goggles because sparks will fly

/puttingupblackoutcurtains.blog.atot

For the stuck fan screw in my MacBook Pro, I just used a drill, with a regular drill bit for wood. (That's all I had on hand.)

hacksaw

To make a video card fit in my Power Mac Cube, I used a hacksaw.

The leads on the board that have been cut were just leads to an unused attachment. Card worked fine.