How do you removed stripped screws?

[MSgherzi]

I have a laptop from a client whose GPU is overheating (Dell Precision M90). I need to get it disassembled and check out the thermal paste and other stuff inside of it.

I am at a stop because 3 out of the 4 screws that keep the hinges attached for the screen are completely stripped. I've tried an over sized screw driver, but there is absolutely no give to them at all.

Any ideas here?


Here is a picture:

 

[phaZed]

For those I would use a dremel rotary tool with a standard cutting wheel. Make a slit on the screw head for a flat-head screw driver. If that fails I would start drilling the screw heads off with a drill bit and remove the remaining studs with a pair of pliers.

 

[MSgherzi]

For those I would use a dremel rotary tool with a standard cutting wheel. Make a slit on the screw head for a flat-head screw driver. If that fails I would start drilling the screw heads off with a drill bit and remove the remaining studs with a pair of pliers.

I was thinking the same thing. Thanks for confirming!

 

[gikstar]

You might try this:

When you have a screw that has lost it’s head, screw extractors or EZ Outs will take their turn.
see: http://www.toolvice.com/screw-extractors.html
and recommended extractor for specific screw sizes here: http://www.toolvice.com/drill-tap-chart.html

 

[MSgherzi]

You might try this:

When you have a screw that has lost it’s head, screw extractors or EZ Outs will take their turn.
see: http://www.toolvice.com/screw-extractors.html
and recommended extractor for specific screw sizes here: http://www.toolvice.com/drill-tap-chart.html

Thanks for the help!

 

[Simmy]

I try to make a new slit in the head with a slightly oversized flat head screwdriver. This usually happens on screws made of cheese, so making a new slit is easy enough.

 

[JustInspired]

For those I would use a dremel rotary tool with a standard cutting wheel. Make a slit on the screw head for a flat-head screw driver. If that fails I would start drilling the screw heads off with a drill bit and remove the remaining studs with a pair of pliers.

I do the 'make a flat-head' screw with a cutting disc too. Also, we use some tiny screw extractors.

 

[katz]

I have a "cheapo" set of jewelers screwdrivers that I purchased from Harbor Freight.

It has an assortment of flat/Phillips & a couple of other drivers. The flat head drivers are narrow & sharp & they fit in those stripped out Phillips heads great.

I work the driver back & forth until I get a good "bite" in the damaged head & then proceed to back it out - works every time.

 

[frase]

I use a rubber band; the thick red ones placed over the stripped head and use a screwdriver over the band and screwhead and extract the screw as per usual, with a pair of pliers handy.

Also torx screwdrivers help as well sometimes

 

[HFultzjr]

I use a rubber band; the thick red ones placed over the stripped head and use a screwdriver over the band and screwhead and extract the screw as per usual, with a pair of pliers handy.

Also torx screwdrivers help as well sometimes

As a last resort.........

I remember seeing somewhere about someone with this situation.

Seems they used a coin and J-B Weld to connect it to the screw and backed it out.

The J-B Weld gets down in the screw slots and allows just enough torque to back out.

I can't confirm that this will work, but it sounds like a crazy idea that just might work.

Been wanting to try this myself, but never got around to it.

J-B Weld is some pretty strong stuff....could use a washer in place of a coin if needed.

 

[NYJimbo]

I had a machine a month or two ago that I had to drill off the tops of the screws so that just the post of the screw remained. After that I could lift the hinges because they themselves where not threaded. After they were out I could use a vise grip to grab the now exposed shaft/post of the screw and unscrew it that way.

Lots of work, requires a total cleanup later with vacuum and looking for loose bits so they don't short out the machine.

Had another machine recently where I had to drill out the whole screw all the way down but I don't think you have to do that here.

 

[naulgo]

drill the screw heads

screw extractors never worked for me, either m using the wrong ones or use them the wrong way. i always drill the screw heads and remove the rest with pliers, i got used to it like that and i do it pretty fast. boom boom.

 

[uprighttech]

I use a rubber band; the thick red ones placed over the stripped head and use a screwdriver over the band and screwhead and extract the screw as per usual, with a pair of pliers handy.

Have used the rubber band method a number of times with success.

 

[GeeksInKhakis]

Bought a screw extracter bit set at Home Deppt, works great. Mainly use it for small laptop screws.