trying to remove a stripped screw

i have a pretty bad stripped screw that is recessed into the chassis so it is hard to use any other tool to get it out besides a screwdriver. is there any where that i can go to that will remove the screw for me. i don't really want to attempt to use screw extractors because i fear that i will make the problem worse. i also don't really want to try the superglue on the screwdriver trick. can anyone help me out with this

 

http://www.getgrabit.com/Default.asp?tcode=pi4&tag=google&gclid=CNL8jaq8-JYCFQMCagodNgvaXQ&bhcp=1
I borrowed one of these from a neighbor for a little screw and it worked great.
? Not sure it's worth it to buy..?

 

Exactly which screw it is? Can you take a photo?

My advice for now is leave it alone. Trying to undo it further will just make it worst.

 

i never heard of the superglue trick but it sounds good... just a screw driver that you wont mind disposing though

 

That's totally worth buying, do you think they ship to Mongolia? Just joking I'd own one any day.

 

but do they have small enough bits to extract laptop screws

 

I'd just drill the screw head off using a new drill bit just smaller than the hole the screw is countersunk into, then I'd use vice grips to unscrew the stub of the screw.

The screws they'd use in laptops are not made from the best steel, if anything it would be a touch better than mild steel so it should be easy.

P.S. Using a marking pen sink the drill bit into the hole (before you even put it in the drill) mark it so it flush with the surface of the I'm guessing the bottom of the laptop, then take the drill and get some electrical tape and put it around the drill bit 3mm or 1/8 of an inch above the mark as a guide to know not to go any deeper than the tape.

Make sure to turn the laptop over before pulling the chassis off to make sure you get none or less filings inside the machine.

Just took one of those screw out and I'd set the guide to no more than 2 mm!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

how deep would you drill though and would the electrical tape be able to grip to the walls of the inside of the screw?
here's a picture of the screw.

 

It is not about how deep you go since you are not using an easy out. What you want to do is use a drill bit roughly the same size as the screw threads and just drill enough that the screw head comes completely off. For example if the screw is 3mm use a 3mm drill bit then go slightly larger if neccessary. Proceed carefully, use a light touch. A dermal tool works well for drilling into small items.

With the screw head off, there is no longer any force holding the screw in place and you should be able to back out the threaded shaft by gently using the edge of a small blade jewelers screwdriver or a small metal pick (like the sharpened end of a small nail).

I have had to do this trick several times with the small screws used in model racing cars.

 

but the hole is recessed so it is hard to use a tool such as a dremel

 

Ah, I understand. I have an attachment (like a dentist's drill) that allows me to get into tight places. A must for a hobbiest.

Well you will have to improvise and do whatever is necessary to is reach and drill a hole into the center of the recessed screw. Again the idea is to just drill enough to cleanly cause the head of the screw to pop off, nothing more. Use what you have available but just proceed carefully and don't use too large of a drill bit.

 

That would only work if you hit dead centre and go straight down, because if you didn't it wouldn't be pretty, plus my way even if you don't take the head right off the chances of using long nose pliers to squeeze what's left so as to unscrew or to crush to the size of the hole is an option.

Those screws are made of crap steel that's why it stripped as it did and shouldn't take but seconds to do either way.

 

Another method, for small screws, very similar to the super glue and screwdriver approach (which never worked for me) is as follows.

This also requires drilling a small hole into the top of the affected screw. Once you have drilled a hole into the screw find an old Allen Wrench small enough to fit into the hole loosely or purchase a cheap one.

At your local hardware store purchase some JB Weld (in the epoxy section), Red/Black tubes (not the 5 minute variety), it is a metal type of epoxy and sets up extremely hard (24 hours).

Mix up a small amount of the JB Weld, place it into the hole you drilled, then insert the Allen Wrench into the mixture. Don't get the weld onto the outside of the screw head. Let it set up 24 hours, don't cheat and then you should be able to remove the screw. This has also worked for me with small screws.

 

Well this is one of those projects where you start and evaluate as you go. I have had to do it several different ways. If a person starts off with too large of a drill bit it's not pretty either.

 

I have done this sort of procedure many times, never on a laptop though. I would be more likely to do it your way if the screw or bolt is of a high strength steel to save on the chances of burning out the drill bit, but this screw is nothing that anyone with any fabrication or manufacturing experience should have any trouble with, plus the bit you want to use is about 2mm in diameter which is very tricky.

Just took one of those screw out and I'd set the guide to no more than 2mm deep.

 

My friend your way you'd be sinking a 2mm drill bit 10-12mm into a hole where you can't see what your drilling into, even me thinking you might be able to use long nose pliers is not likely.

 

Hmm, I just went by the posted picture, I didn't research where this hole is actually located. From your description there must be limited access to this screw. My curiosity is up, later tonight I will take a look in the manual and see if I can find the actual screw location.

I hope the OP has some good luck in removing the offending screw.

 

Seeing it's such a tiny screw before going to the drill get someone to hit the end of the screw driver with a small hammer or heavyish metal object (gently) while you with two hands try to unscrew it, this impact action might free it.

Hitting it is not a good description, more like tapping on it.

 

thanks i will try all this. but is there any where i find replacement screws if i take this out. the laptop is a dv4t. also are tehre any places that can do this for me in case i have trouble removing it

 

Yes just ring around computer repairers in your area for both.

 

As mentioned, anyplace that repairs computers should have many laying around. But, another source is a decent hobby shop, they always have small screws unlike hardware stores. You can also find the same type of screw with an allen head which is what I would replace it with. I hate phillips head screws

 

but wouldn't the screw be a customized screw. i doubt shops would have the exact screw that i need. do they make it if i specify the size?

 

Dude will it leave you broke to ring a couple of repairs close to you, to ask if they'd have a spare screw laying around?

 

First you need to find out what size screw you are looking for. What does the Hardware and Service Manual say? Such as Thread 2.5mm Length 7mm. And no, they will not make a screw for you, but these screws are not as uncommon as you make them sound.

Then do as SPQR said and either call or go to a local store where they do repairs like Best Buy, Circuit City and ask to talk to a service tech (I am assuming that you live in the US). I bet they will try to be helpful. Also as I said, local hobby shops also have lots of small screws, but you do need to know the size.

By the way, what notebook is that screw for? That screw looks like an external screw but I don't see a keyboard marking on any of the HP computers.

 

I have a DV9500 series and they have a keyboard icon on the base where that screw lives But I think that laptop is a dell going on his pass posts.

Ok dv4t

 

its a hp dv4t

 

HP will have the screw specs/list on the service manual.

Take out a similar screw, take it to the hardware store and tell them you want an exact copy of that screw. They will have it.

I go to the hardware store all the time to replace all sorts of screws. You can even get it from hobby stores.

My notebook uses bling titanium hex/allen key screws.

Theres 3 things they use to match screws:
-Screw Measurements eg. 3x5mm
-Screw Type eg. button head, counter-sunk
-Screw thread (usually a standard)