Arrrgh, stipped screw!

[carmen617]

One of those lovely HP consumer laptops that makes you remove a gazillion different screws, along with hinge covers and rubber bumpers and God knows what else, to access anything at all. Need to replace the hard drive, and to do that I need to remove these two flat little screws under the DVD drive, Delicate little suckers, one came out with a little nudging, but the other won't budge. I've tried every high end tiny Phillips I have, and now the screw is more or less stripped and still not moving. Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[mraikes]

In that situation, I use a small sharp flat tip.

 

[sapphirescales]

You need to use a teeny drill bit and drill out the screw. If you want to be lazy you can use a larger drill bit and just drill in the middle of the screw head until the top falls off. Then you can separate the case.

 

[carmen617]

In that situation, I use a small sharp flat tip.

Tried that, doesn't seem to make it move at all. The screw head is very soft and large in proportion to the tiny little Philips slot. When I try a flat tip it just seems to jam the dratted thing further into the shank. I am just stuck, and very frustrated, Anybody know of a tiny little stripped screw removal tool or process?

 

[carmen617]

You need to use a teeny drill bit and drill out the screw. If you want to be lazy you can use a larger drill bit and just drill in the middle of the screw head until the top falls off. Then you can separate the case.

Can I use a normal drill? I have a couple of them, but I would be afraid I will damage the laptop. I'm perfectly willing to buy a tool if there's something that's safer to use.

 

[Markverhyden]

Easy out. One of those really handy tools I learned about working on drilling rigs.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vermont...OfrtKmjV6AWct2aN8GhoCFhIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[sapphirescales]

Can I use a normal drill? I have a couple of them, but I would be afraid I will damage the laptop. I'm perfectly willing to buy a tool if there's something that's safer to use.

I actually use a small electric screwdriver with a specially designed drill bit. I wouldn't use a powerful drill unless I didn't have another option. And keep the pressure to a minimum. You don't want to actually drill through the laptop.

Yeah, it's scary. But once you've done it a few times and learn how much pressure to use, it's not a big deal. Thankfully I've never actually drilled through anything I didn't want to drill through. You just have to be super careful.

I use something very similar to this:

Drill:
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-4v-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

Bit:
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-16-in-titanium-drill-bit/p-00964052000P?rrec=true

 

[Larry Sabo]

Most screw extractors are too large for that screw, but you can shop around. Personally, I would cut a slot using a dremel tool then use a slot screw driver to remove it, taping the head of the screw driver as you apply downward pressure and reverse torque.

 

[sapphirescales]

Easy out. One of those really handy tools I learned about working on drilling rigs.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vermont-American-Carbon-Steel-Screw-Extractor-and-Drill-Bit-Set-with-5-Drill-Bits-and-5-Extractors-10-Piece-21829/202850653?cm_mmc=Shopping|G|Base|D25T|25-7_POWER+TOOL+ACCESSORIES|NA|PLA|71700000034127227|58700003933021549|92700031755124910&gclid=CjwKCAiAz7TfBRAKEiwAz8fKOA5ftRsyKg-AqEW5H3AGlqdUqJvUWXR_uD3OfrtKmjV6AWct2aN8GhoCFhIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've never been able to get those things to work. I own about 4 different sets of them. Of course, I'm trying to use them on computer screws. I don't think they were really designed for that.

 

[phaZed]

I'm with Larry, dremel a flat groove across that sucker and use a flat head.

 

[carmen617]

I don't currently own a dremel, but looks like I am about to become a dremel owner. Looking at Home Depot, there's a huge range. Can I just get the cheapest one?

 

[phaZed]

I don't currently own a dremel, but looks like I am about to become a dremel owner. Looking at Home Depot, there's a huge range. Can I just get the cheapest one?

Ya, cheapest one is fine. Make sure it comes with the little cut-off wheels

 

[pcpete]

we use this all the time with great success
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HE5B2G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

the key is to use good firm pressure the first time so the teeth grip and do not strip it worse

 

[frase]

Haha HP - had same issue multiple times - just seems to be HDD screws as well.

Simple method is to use a larger screwdriver - non powered and press hard . Use a decent driver with good torque and a larger bit x2 than current or enough so you can feel bite in screw.

I have had lots of HP's with that exact issue - a simple job turns into an annoyance. I dont know what it is about those certain screws. I think Hp are laughing when they install them to instastrip.

 

[Markverhyden]

I've never been able to get those things to work. I own about 4 different sets of them. Of course, I'm trying to use them on computer screws. I don't think they were really designed for that.

I've rarely had a problem using them. The key is to make sure the hole is properly sized and you don't take out too much material. Take out too much and the head just shears off. The smallest I have would probably work on that particular screw. But yes, most laptop screws are too small. Especially Apple. Besides if @carmen617 doesn't have a replacement screw, most likely, just drill out enough so the head comes off.

 

[carmen617]

I've rarely had a problem using them. The key is to make sure the hole is properly sized and you don't take out too much material. Take out too much and the head just shears off. The smallest I have would probably work on that particular screw. But yes, most laptop screws are too small. Especially Apple. Besides if @carmen617 doesn't have a replacement screw, most likely, just drill out enough so the head comes off.

Believe it or not, I actually do have a replacement screw. HP has been using those nasty little flat screws under the optical drive for a while. When I strip dead laptops to remove drives, recycle them, whatever, I keep the screws. So at least I've got that covered!

 

[wavey]

The sharp flat blade usually works for me, put a fair bit of downward pressure on it.

 

[Diggs]

I'm with Larry, dremel a flat groove across that sucker and use a flat head.

Yep - Done this a bunch of times. I even keep a reduced diameter wheel just for it.

 

[carmen617]

I ordered this from Amazon, arriving today. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A8DXKXS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What's a "reduced diameter wheel" and where do I get one?

 

[Larry Sabo]

I ordered this from Amazon, arriving today. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A8DXKXS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I highly recommend a Dremel bit chuck to go with it. So handy.