Handy tech tip for installing M2 mounting screws

[bobbybluz]

I have no idea why I didn't think of trying this until tonight and it works fantastic. I have no idea how many times I've dropped the tiny screw for holding a M2 drive in place over the years. Tonight it suddenly dawned on me to put a tiny (and I mean very small) bit of Super Glue on the tip of the small screwdriver I use for putting in the mounting screw. I pushed the tip into the screw, held it for about 20 seconds then had no problem installing the screw on the mounting post. When done I pulled the screwdriver out, flicked the dried glue on the tip off with a fingernail and was done.

 

[joemama]

Doesn't magnetic screwdrivers work?

 

[bobbybluz]

Doesn't magnetic screwdrivers work?

Not nearly as good as the Super Glue trick. The screw is so small there's not much mass to it. Also, the tip of the screwdriver won't slip at all and it's a very tiny screwdriver as well. On larger screws like 6-32's or even 4-40's use a magnetic driver. I have a set of magnetized jewelers screwdrivers with Phillips and flat blades, this was far easier.

 

[Bill_Bright]

My problem with this idea is I hate wasting super glue. And inevitably, I never actually use an entire container (jar, tube, syringe - I've tried them all) of super glue. I open a tube, use a tiny drop or two, then the next time I need some super glue, the rest of the tube is all dried up.

I done this trick with rubber cement and that works fine too - though rubber cement doesn't dry almost instantly as super glue does. And tubes of rubber cement, once opened, dry out too. But but as an avid cyclist, I tend to have several tubes of rubber cement around.

I note there are Screw Starters for nearly every size screw. If you have a frequent need, it is worth investing in the tools.

Also, magnetic screwdrivers lose their magnetism over time. It is pretty easy to re-magnetize them.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

My problem with this idea is I hate gunking up fasteners with anything like glue, lubricants, etc. If the magnetic driver you tried (IF you tried one) didn't work, it probably wasn't a very good one. There's also screw drivers that have little prongs that hold the screw head tight to the driver.

Honestly, I had to laugh when I saw what the thread was about, because this idea seems more likely to cause problems than being "handy". I pity the poor lad whom takes it seriously, applies a tad bit too much glue, and winds up with his screw stuck in the m.2 mount.

 

[Bill_Bright]

There's also screw drivers that have little prongs that hold the screw head tight to the driver.

I provided a link to screw starters in my post right above yours.

 

[bonehead123]

Although I always appreciate tips & tricks, this is the EXACT reason alot of mobo makers now have the little tab twisty lock thingies that require only a quick flick of the tab to add or remove the drive....why they took so long to come up with that solution is beyond me

However, I have grown quite handy the screwdrivers with the little claws on the end for previous-gen rigs, and used the rubber cement trick before that, so it's not an issue for me, but just sayin....

 

[AusWolf]

Doesn't magnetic screwdrivers work?

This. Magnetic screwdrivers are a must when working with computers. I've never had a problem with them, personally.

 

[Toothless]

I typically wedge them under my finger nail (the flat part of the screw) to keep it from falling off til it catches. Don't even need magnetic most of the time. Adding a separate magnet to the shaft of the screwdriver works too since it's stronger than just the normal magnet tip screwdriver. Gotta make your own tools sometimes.

 

[Eskimonster]

I dont have a mag driver, but i take my frigde magnet and slide it over my driver, and its magnetized for some while.

 

[Frick]

I typically wedge them under my finger nail (the flat part of the screw) to keep it from falling off til it catches. Don't even need magnetic most of the time. Adding a separate magnet to the shaft of the screwdriver works too since it's stronger than just the normal magnet tip screwdriver. Gotta make your own tools sometimes.

For quite a few years I did all my PC tinkering with a kitchen knife and I thought it worked really well.

Doesn't magnetic screwdrivers work?

Or use a magnet from a HDD to magnetize a non magnetic screwdriver! I have such magnets on various places on my desks for that specific purpose.

 

[bobbybluz]

Although I always appreciate tips & tricks, this is the EXACT reason alot of mobo makers now have the little tab twisty lock thingies that require only a quick flick of the tab to add or remove the drive....why they took so long to come up with that solution is beyond me

However, I have grown quite handy the screwdrivers with the little claws on the end for previous-gen rigs, and used the rubber cement trick before that, so it's not an issue for me, but just sayin....

Asus did something close to that for the vertical M2 mount on their X99 Deluxe. Rubber cement is sticky and difficult remove, that's why an extremely tiny bit of Super Glue on the screwdriver tip works so well. Of course I can see n00bs without a clue gluing the M2 drive to the mounting post and drive by accident. The trick is using a tiny screwdriver, open the tube of Superglue and hold it upright. Make sure the plastic end is attached and the end snipped. With a very light squeeze a tiny bit of the glue will appear at the opening. Touch the glue with the tip of the screwdriver just enough to wet it lightly. Hold the mounting screw and push the screwdriver tip into it then hold for around 20 seconds. It'll cure and bond securely enough to insert the screw into the mounting post. When done the screwdriver comes off as if nothing was ever on it. Flick the tiny trace of thin film left behind off the tip with a fingernail.

This works far better than magnetized tips for screws this small. Try it and see for yourself. Less is more in this case, I'm talking a fraction of a drop of Super Glue. I was genuinely surprised it worked so well (and on a PC standing upright without much room to work unless I removed the GPU and audio card. I couldn't get a finger in the area to try holding the screw).

 

[Frag_Maniac]

Asus did something close to that for the vertical M2 mount on their X99 Deluxe. Rubber cement is sticky and difficult remove, that's why an extremely tiny bit of Super Glue on the screwdriver tip works so well. Of course I can see n00bs without a clue gluing the M2 drive to the mounting post and drive by accident. The trick is using a tiny screwdriver, open the tube of Superglue and hold it upright. Make sure the plastic end is attached and the end snipped. With a very light squeeze a tiny bit of the glue will appear at the opening. Touch the glue with the tip of the screwdriver just enough to wet it lightly. Hold the mounting screw and push the screwdriver tip into it then hold for around 20 seconds. It'll cure and bond securely enough to insert the screw into the mounting post. When done the screwdriver comes off as if nothing was ever on it. Flick the tiny trace of thin film left behind off the tip with a fingernail.

This works far better than magnetized tips for screws this small. Try it and see for yourself. Less is more in this case, I'm talking a fraction of a drop of Super Glue. I was genuinely surprised it worked so well (and on a PC standing upright without much room to work unless I removed the GPU and audio card. I couldn't get a finger in the area to try holding the screw).

Then again some would say those whom don't know how to buy a proper magnetic screwdriver (or make their own as some have suggested) are noobs. There's really no need to stoop to using super glue, and it has a bad tendency to harden in the tube over time once opened, which is why they sell it in tiny, overpriced tubes.

 

[bobbybluz]

Then again some would say those whom don't know how to buy a proper magnetic screwdriver (or make their own as some have suggested) are noobs. There's really no need to stoop to using super glue, and it has a bad tendency to harden in the tube over time once opened, which is why they sell it in tiny, overpriced tubes.

I get 12 tubes of what Harbor Freight sells as their brand of Super Glue for $1.29. Dirt cheap. Do whatever works best for you and your needs. I discovered something that worked amazingly well (far better than what I would have suspected) and passed it on.

I have a huge collection of nearly every type of screwdriver (mostly Snap-On) including a full electronic service kit, jewelers screwdrivers, magnetized drivers and more. This worked better than any of them in this particular situation. I got my ASE Master Automobile Technician certification in 1985. I'm very well acquainted with tools including have to modify or make my own for some applications. I worked for Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Oldsmobile and Chevrolet dealerships. Being able to improvise and figuring out how to beat the flat-rate pay books was a key part of being a successful technician. Compared to the automotive world (even back then) computers are easy plus they don't destroy your body. I started working in a gas station as a teenager in the 60's. I was done by 1994, walked away and built a recording studio. That's how I initially became involved with building computers.

 

[Wirko]

I have no idea why I didn't think of trying this until tonight and it works fantastic. I have no idea how many times I've dropped the tiny screw for holding a M2 drive in place over the years. Tonight it suddenly dawned on me to put a tiny (and I mean very small) bit of Super Glue on the tip of the small screwdriver I use for putting in the mounting screw. I pushed the tip into the screw, held it for about 20 seconds then had no problem installing the screw on the mounting post. When done I pulled the screwdriver out, flicked the dried glue on the tip off with a fingernail and was done.

While reading this thread, I got a similar idea (but of course someone else got it first). Sticky tape!

On another note, I understood the title of this thread wrong, but right at the same time. The screw that holds a M.2 SSD in place is a metric M2 screw.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

I get 12 tubes of what Harbor Freight sells as their brand of Super Glue for $1.29. Dirt cheap. Do whatever works best for you and your needs. I discovered something that worked amazingly well (far better than what I would have suspected) and passed it on.

I have a huge collection of nearly every type of screwdriver (mostly Snap-On) including a full electronic service kit, jewelers screwdrivers, magnetized drivers and more. This worked better than any of them in this particular situation. I got my ASE Master Automobile Technician certification in 1985. I'm very well acquainted with tools including have to modify or make my own for some applications. I worked for Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Oldsmobile and Chevrolet dealerships. Being able to improvise and figuring out how to beat the flat-rate pay books was a key part of being a successful technician. Compared to the automotive world (even back then) computers are easy plus they don't destroy your body. I started working in a gas station as a teenager in the 60's. I was done by 1994, walked away and built a recording studio. That's how I initially became involved with building computers.

At the end of the day I'm still going to say dipping a driver in glue = bad mag driver tried, but you do you. It only proves to me that all the training in the world doesn't trump common sense. Now I'm not implying you weren't properly trained, but if a tech with THAT much knowledge and experience sees dipping a driver in glue as a anti drop solution, I can't agree on how you improvise.

 

[AusWolf]

Then again some would say those whom don't know how to buy a proper magnetic screwdriver (or make their own as some have suggested) are noobs. There's really no need to stoop to using super glue, and it has a bad tendency to harden in the tube over time once opened, which is why they sell it in tiny, overpriced tubes.

Agreed. Besides, I'm too clumsy to apply the tiniest drop possible, so for someone like me, it's really not recommended. Not to mention, a magnetic screwdriver isn't a lot more expensive than super glue, and can be used more than just a few times.

 

[Athlonite]

Or use a magnet from a HDD to magnetize a non magnetic screwdriver! I have such magnets on various places on my desks for that specific purpose.

That's exactly what I do I remove the magnets for the specific purpose of magnetizing tools and then I use the platters as placemats for coffee cups

 

[eidairaman1]

Ok bobbybluz was just giving a tip, no need to harass him

 

[bobbybluz]

At the end of the day I'm still going to say dipping a driver in glue = bad mag driver tried, but you do you. It only proves to me that all the training in the world doesn't trump common sense. Now I'm not implying you weren't properly trained, but if a tech with THAT much knowledge and experience sees dipping a driver in glue as a anti drop solution, I can't agree on how you improvise.

Here's the part you fail to understand: It's not "dipping" the tip, it's applying a tiny spec of glue to the screwdriver tip. Just enough to get it to stick to the screw head. There isn't even any visible pump-out in the Phillips slots. That's how tiny of an amount will do the job. I'm done explaining how to do this, if you don't get it the task isn't something you should attempt.

 

[95Viper]

Play Nice People.
Have a civil discussion.

 

[the54thvoid]

Pretty sure I've had mishaps with a magtip, when it get's hauled off to another component somewhere and smacks the screw free. I've certainly tried to navigate a mag-tip into a crevice only for a nearby metal edge to 'twang' it off course. I can see the use of superglue, when as the OP says, a 'tiny' amount is used applied to the tip. Not sure if you guys across the pond call it 'blue-tac', but that would serve a similar purpose.

 

[Wirko]

At the end of the day I'm still going to say dipping a driver in glue = bad mag driver tried, but you do you. It only proves to me that all the training in the world doesn't trump common sense. Now I'm not implying you weren't properly trained, but if a tech with THAT much knowledge and experience sees dipping a driver in glue as a anti drop solution, I can't agree on how you improvise.

For one, some screws in industrial use are made of copper, brass, nickel-chromium steel, aluminium, zinc alloys, titanium, silver or plastic.

 

[AsRock]

I dont have a mag driver, but i take my frigde magnet and slide it over my driver, and its magnetized for some while.

Get some HDD magnets and then your be set.

 

[Eskimonster]

Get some HDD magnets and then your be set.

oh im fine, its neodym magnets i use on my frigde