Handy tech tip for installing M2 mounting screws

[A Computer Guy]

Or use a magnet from a HDD to magnetize a non magnetic screwdriver!

I have a pretty decent collection of HDD magnets over the years and did the same thing.

 

[Bill_Bright]

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.

I don't know what this is saying. I've read it a dozen times and cannot determine if this is about "some" accusing others of being "noobs", or if this criticizing noobs for being noobs.

Either way, it is just not right on several levels.

It is funny how "some" forget we were "noobs" once too. And if they claim they never made a nooby mistake before, they most likely are lying. There is nothing wrong with being a noob. And FTR, I admire respect noobs who ask noobie questions.

I mentioned before using a "screw starter". IMO, that is still the best solution. HOWEVER, buying specialized tools is not something I recommend anyone do, unless it is for a task they will be doing more than once.

Getting tiny screws into position, then getting the proper driver to tighten it down properly is a "skill". What does that mean? It means a bit of physical dexterity, agility, a steady hand, and practice. If one is able to use a tiny bit of super glue to assist in that, without super gluing their finger to their nose, then who are we to criticize?

 

[Frag_Maniac]

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.

See, here's an example of how you don't see things with common sense. To "dip" is not at all the same as to "submerge", and the word dip itself does not specify how much of the driver is dipped.

I had no trouble understanding exactly how you applied the glue by the way you described it, so it's not that I'm not "getting it". This is not rocket science my friend, we just happen to disagree on the best way to improvise in such scenarios. Just the time you spent looking for a special deal on super glue and ordering it and waiting to get it wouldn't have been necessary if you'd had a good mag driver or prong clamp type driver. But I guess you'd already bought it since it appears you see super glue as universally useful as duct tape.

 

[freeagent]

The very first M.2 screw that I ever laid hands on was catapulted away when I let go of the drive to get my driver.. still haven’t found it

Important life lessons

 

[A Computer Guy]

The very first M.2 screw that I ever laid hands on was catapulted away when I let go of the drive to get my driver.. still haven’t found it

Important life lessons

It's terrible too when they accidently drop into the PSU.

 

[Mr Bill]

One might think by now, the motherboard designer's would have added some sort of small catch, like the one on the motherboards for the video cards, I guess that to simple for those high paid engineers.

 

[bobbybluz]

One might think by now, the motherboard designer's would have added some sort of small catch, like the one on the motherboards for the video cards, I guess that to simple for those high paid engineers.

On many new mobos the manufacturers include heatsinks that also cover the M2 slots as part of the board design. Because of that the standoff that screws into the board must be very short and the screw that holds the M2 drive to the standoff even shorter with a very thin head so the heatsink/cover fits flat. The particular board I was working with is an ASRock Z790 Steel Legend WiFi. I've never seen smaller M2 screws before plus these have a tiny stripe of blue threadlocker on the tip of the shank. That threadlocker combined with the size of the screw (technically it's a bolt) makes getting one started the first time difficult.

I managed to slip a Samsung 980 Pro into the uncovered slot in the middle of the mobo without removing the GPU or aftermarket audio card. The M2 screws ASRock includes are all the extremely short ones with the tiny heads so they can be used with the heatsink/M2 slot covers. I have one special magnetic Phillips screwdriver that's exactly the correct size for those ASRock screws plus it has a medium length shank to get into deeper areas than the short drivers included with some M2 drives. I finally tried the Super Glue trick after several unsuccessful attempts to get the screw started with and having to fish it out of where it landed with my protracting magnet.

Actually it would be 100% possible to make a mount with a tab on the end that swivels 90 degrees to hold a M2 drive in place after installation. The downside would be the tooling cost plus higher manufacturing cost of such an item along with being able to mount it on the mobo so the tab is oriented correctly. Using a standard nut driver to install it wouldn't work either due to the tip of the tab sticking out. Making a special installation tool would further increase manufacturing costs. Yes, it is possible but in the end the costs would be passed along to the end consumer. Another potential issue would be people accidentally breaking the swivel tabs off, especially with first-time builders. Considering that all the current M2 mounting hardware is dirt cheap, readily available and somewhat unbreakable I don't foresee other mounting options in the near future.

 

[95Viper]

Locked per OP request.