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Tiny Phillips Heads Screws

Have you tried jamming the tip of a knife in the screw head? It's not the best thing for the blade, but I haven't had that technique fail yet.
 
The problems usually involve (1) not using high quality [hardened steel) screw driver bits and (2) the screw is not a true Phillips. There are several variations on the Phillips one of which has a shallower recess (usually found in VCRs/electronics equipment) and requires a slightly different driver tip. The most common type are the Japanese "cross-slot" and require an appropriate screwdriver for removal. These resemble the familiar Phillips. Usually a regular Phillips driver will work, but there is a tiny microscopic difference in the shape also of the cross in the screw head and, as a result, the driver made especially for these screws grips much better than do the standard Phillips. Often a standard Phillips tip can be ground down to make a suitable fit. If you have stripped the slots, then the best bet is to use an appropriate fine steel twist drill to deepen the hole/recess in the screw head and then attempt to turn the screw using a suitable sized high quality Phillips driver but using high forcing pressure to the degree that the driver bit literally bites/cuts (new slots) into the screw head.

I found that this works more often than not.
 
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fluffmonster said:
use screwdrivers designed for eyeglasses to get those little screws...at least before the head is stripped out.
Click to expand...

The problem with those eyeglass screw drivers is the handles are usually way to small and you can't apply enough downward pressure or torque to not have the head slip.

C1: I didn't realize it was actually a different type of head. I'll see about picking up some different screw driver heads. I do enough work with laptops and other small devices that it is worth the money.
 
I highly recommend this small but precise cordless screwdriver by General Tools. It is really handy!

http://www.generaltools.com/Products/Cordless-Power-Precision-Screwdriver__500.aspx

This shows the size and the pack of bits that come with it.

GeneralSD.jpg


It will not over torque your tiny screws - and that is the main cause of stripping. It is powered buy 2 AA batteries, but can also be used manually. For $29.95 it is an asset in a computer tool kit.
 
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OVerLoRDI said:
The problem with those eyeglass screw drivers is the handles are usually way to small and you can't apply enough downward pressure or torque to not have the head slip.

C1: I didn't realize it was actually a different type of head. I'll see about picking up some different screw driver heads. I do enough work with laptops and other small devices that it is worth the money.
Click to expand...

Most of them come with an end (opposite the screw driver head) that spins freely. Keep firm downward pressure with one hand against the spinning end, and then grab a pair of pliers and use them to physically turn the handle of the screw driver with them. It's a bit awkward, but it does work.

I too wish that they'd make jeweler's / eyeglass screw drivers with thicker handles so you could actually apply a bit of torque with your fingers without the thing slipping out of your hand.
 
Over torquing is basically the cause of the problem. Better to dip the screw in Loctite or clear nail polish than to over torque.
 
Googled "how to remove tiny phillips screw", first result. I feel special.

Had the same problem again a few days ago trying to get the screw out of a mSATA/mPCIE card on a m-itx board.

Glad I learned from history 🙄
 
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