Removing Jammed Screw

Anyone know how I can remove this screw. It is on the LCD hinge, and it is necessary to remove it, in order to disassemble the notebook.
Will stuff like WD-40 be alright for use on notebooks ?? And will it be possible to remove it or unscrew it with any specific kind of plier ?
Any other ideas ??



(BTW I don't have a Drill Machine)

 

You might try a pair of ViceGrips. Buy the real ones made by Irwin,the cheap knock offs are junk. A small one with the standard nose(not needle) will work best and they are about $8. Do not use any WD40.

 

Something like this, or something else....(And which size should I go for ? )

 

Definitely no WD40.

You can try a drop of super glue on the end of a screwdriver - you have to hold it until it hardens.

Another possibility is to try to cut a slot in the head and then use a slotted screwdriver.

Next time get a set of good quality screwdrivers with big handles. The moment they are a little worn and start to slip then you end up with a problem.

John

 

read this
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=232820

 

I tried the super glue trick, as it was one of the solutions I came to know of when searching here. But it didn't work well, and I ended up kind of spoiling my screwdriver as well. The head has become a sort of 'Well', a really smooth 'Well', so the screwdriver just keeps on rotating in it.
How do I actually cut a slot ?

I should have kept some backup screws with me, but the whole notebook uses 4 different type of screws at different parts, and the ones in the images are only four in number, only used at the LCD hinges.

 

Yeah, read that before. Actually I don't know what dry ice is (Google comes up with scientific stuff), I don't have a dremel, no power tools, and can't find Mastercraft's Grabit screw remover in the UK.

I'll probably drop in HomeBase and see if I can get my hands on anything....

 

wd-40 wil eat through the plastic, and you dont want that.
If you have a dremel, you can use the cut off wheel to make a nice long cut in the top of the screw, so you can make it into a flat head screw, for easier removal.
You can also do what truckdriver mentioned.
Just put something around the lcd hinge area, just so if you slip, the pliers dont cut anything. (Use foam, or heavy cardboard around the construction site.
Channelock sells great pliers too, and you can try those if you cant get it out. (the irwin ones you choose, are quite large, you need something small)
A drill is not what you need, you really need a dremel in order to get it out.

K-TRON

 

Yeah, that makes sense, but I can't get a fix on dremel on google, it shows loads of stuff on amazon and all, mostly related to drill machines....(Is there something specific, which I should look into ?)
And will a nose plier work well, or is there any other specific shape..??

EDIT: There are the 2 dremels I came across online at my local store.

 

how about soldering an old scewdriver to you screw? I thought that should work

 

You can buy Dremel's from their website. I bought my 400XPR from them last summer. If your local hardware shop has tools I would buy from them. Unfortunately you can only get what they have, so you have a limited selection.
I dont know where you live, but ask your neighbors or friends if they have one. Most of the time they will be more than welcome to help you out for a few minutes

Needlenose pliers may work, but the surface area at the tips is relatively small, so it may slip, and be useless.

K-TRON

 

Ok, I'll try and see if I can get a dremel from someone, buying it doesn't make sense. I could literally buy a new WD Black for 60 quid.

I guess I'll try and play around with Vise Grips and Pliers for now, or I'll just rip it off....

Thx for the suggestions

(Can't I use any other Penetrating Oil to loosen up the screw or will that eat through the plastic as well ?)

 

I wouldn't be keen on the oil although a very small drop in the right place might help a little (but it might cause any new screw to work loose in the future).

Have you any pliers that are the right size to grip the screw head? Or you can try cutting the groove using a small hacksaw blade. It will be very tedious because of the limited working space before you start cutting the plastic. The Dremel or similar with a small cutting disc will be easier if you can borrow one for a few minutes.

John

 

wow you stripped that screw quite good.

Dremel would be your first bet or a tiny reverse drill bit. Since your notebook is very fragile, its gonna be hard. I suggest using electric tape or some strong tape to cover off the plastic bits so it doesnt get scratched

WD40 and heat cycling is also one way but again, its in your notebook

 

I disagree. This is the most complex, time consuming, and expensive solution. I recommend using a pair of good quality pliers that have a blunt nose on them with plenty of "teeth" at the tips. Simply position the pliers perpendicular to the screw, grab ahold of it and turn the screw counter-clockwise.

Sometimes, the most effective solution is the one that requires the least amount of tech and expense. This is coming from a decade of experience as a crew chief aircraft mechanic on F-16's in the USAF.

 

I concur that this method works great on stripped screw when you have the space to correctly position the pliers....

 

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952157000P?vName=Tools should do the trick. I have them and they work great. Of course i never strip computer screws cuz i use the right screw drivers in the first place i kid i kid

 

Agreed. Taking a look at the Andy's pics, it appears to be a tight fit for a pair of pliers, but there should be just room enough for them to get in there.

 

I tried the perpendicular plier thing, actually it was the first thing I did, but as mentioned, due to the limitation of space, I can't get the plier to grip the head of the screw perpendicularly. I am gonna ask someone for a dremel or probably buy it tomorrow morning, or first, I guess, I'll try cutting it with a small-size hack-saw (should be cheaper), and then do the flat-head screw thing.
Oh well, I'll check it out tomorrow morning, it is kinda 3 in the night right now and I've got 3 units of alcohol on me *hiccup*

Anyway, thx for all the suggestions, appreciate it.

 

hmm.. Well definately no oil. Usually when I run into screws like that I try larger drivers or switch to a square end driver and see if I can turn it out. You can try a rotery tool (dremel is a brand name), if you own a drill, you can buy a screw extractor kit, those cost about $15-$20 at a hardware store (Sears) and are handy to have around the house if you do any sort of home repair anyway.

 

Irwin actually makes 2 different small vice grips(standard and needle nose). They are about 5in long and perfect for tight spots. Let this be a lesson-the CORRECT TOOL for the job will rarely damage the screw or bolt. The screw driver tip should always fit snug. Not bagging on you Andy, everyone learns the hard way. There are also some "easy outs" that have reverse cut spiral grooves that would work for this. Most any auto parts store will have them. You use them with a wrench. Good luck.

 

I found this video on Youtube, and found the kit on ebay for $20, so I am getting it. (At least I can fit it in my screw driver)

 

Just go slow, cause if you go to fast, the part which actually grabs the screw will act like a drill bit, and could make your problems worse.

Good luck

K-TRON

 

Oh, alright....