Stripped screw - screw extractor doesn't work...now what?

[L1FE]

Trying to remove the optical drive from my laptop, the screw was already a bit stripped. Unfortunately, the Dell technicians who put together the laptop must've really cranked that screw in, because I ended up stripping the screw. I bought a set of Moody's screw extractors and those too were unable to get the poor screw out. I'm wondering what my options are now...thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Blain]

Drill & tap.

 

[stahlhart]

How much leverage do you have? Is the screw in a recessed location, limiting your access options?

Do you have the ability to use a small EZ out, something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Smith-Wesson-S...d_sbs_indust_3

If the head of the screw is not recessed, could you cut a slot for a flat-head screwdriver?

Enough grip area on the screw head for locking needle-nose pliers?

 

[stahlhart]

Something else that might work, if the screw metal is soft enough, would be to try to grasp it between the tool tip hole and the outer edge of the head with some sharp diagonal pliers -- you just need to break it loose, after which a screwdriver ought to get it out the rest of the way if you apply enough pressure and turn slowly (e.g. don't strip it worse).

 

[Belegost]

My suggestion: you should have other screws that are the same as that one which you have pulled out. Find a drill bit that just matches the size of the stem of the screw, not including the threads. Now, with your drill on low speed, slowly drill down the center of the screw, if you sized the bit correctly at some point the head of the screw will come loose, otherwise go until you feel you've gotten through the head of the screw and pry the head off with a thin flat-head screwdriver.

Now with a little flexing you should be able to get the optical drive out, then take pliers and back out the remains of the screw.

 

[C1]

I usually have luck with the following procedure. It assumes the screw is a Phillips class.

1. Use a small drill and drill down to increase the depth of the X- slot of the screw head
2. Use a high quality (hardened tipped) Phillips type screw driver to remove the screw

Do not chich on the last step. This usually requires going to a hobby store, tool or electronics specialty store to custom purchase the needed quality driver and size custom matched for THIS job. (You may never need or use this driver again.)

 

[piasabird]

They probably used the wrong size screw and just kept tightening it. If it is under warranty, just wipe the drive and send it all back. Something like some thread breaker and a coal chizel. Or maybe get one of those dremmel tools and cut the hard drive out. Just cut along the side of the holes till you can just slide the drive out. Then use some of those clamping plyers and slowly get what is left of the screw out.

I use to work on presses at work and if you hit something like a screw with a heavy enough of a hammer like a 5# ball Peen Hammer and a chizel, it will break. The Laptop is probably too weak for this. However, you never know when you will need a dremel tool again.

 

[C1]

Just took a look at your Moody's screw extractors. No, no, no. No pissant driver for this job.

You need a larger handled driver like: http://www.wihatools.com/200seri/266sets.htm

After you drill into the X slot to deepen it. You will position the screw vertically, insert the driver in the slot and put ALL your weight on the driver (100 pounds or more if you have to) while the Wiha is rotated using pliers or better yet an adjustable crescent wrench. (The pressure is enough to bite/sink into the screw head X enough to actually increase the X slot.) If required, someone should help to assist the job (eg, do the driver rotation and/or hold/support the notebook). You pretty much only get one good shot at this so dont ruin your chance. REMEMBER TO PUT THE NEEDED WEIGHT ON THE DRIVER BEFORE BEGINNING ANY ROTATION.

 

[mindless1]

Drilling can be dangerous, when you get through the head the bit can grab into plastic or sheet metal and go sideways skirting across circuit boards/etc. I'd try using a dremel tool and grinding down the screw head instead if that's the plan... though that is not without peril either.

Once you get the screw head off the drive may not be free yet, you still have the screw's shaft going through the hole and into the drive rail/bracket/whatever. You "might" be able to take something thin and strong like an ice pick and shove the screw shaft down into the hole till it's free of it, or there might not be enough clearance and you'd need to stop before something gets broken.

If this screw had never been taken out since it came from the factory, it might have some threadlock on it so it is difficult to break free. "Sometimes" you can soften up the threadlock by heating it slightly with a warm (but cooler than regular operating temperature so you don't melt plastic) soldering iron tip... then you get the screwdriver in fast to get the screw loose before the threadlock compound cools down. If uneasy about melting the plastic you might try heating the area with a hairdryer instead. Cut a hole in some cardboard and it will shield the laptop from heat except where the hole is. Probably not necessary with a mere hairdryer but who doesn't have cardboard to spare?

 

[Lemon law]

Get you a dremel and grind the screw head off. Or with a drill press, just drill down with a much bigger drill and do the same. You can drill and tap later, but you can screw back in the drive or a new one using only three of the 4 holes. In terms of hitting center use a number zero center drill or smaller to start the hole.

 

[L1FE]

Lots of options...I will take a picture and post in a bit. Then I'll let the hive mind decide how to proceed ...

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