Laptop screws heads stripped

[ArmoredCavalry]

I went to put in my new drive today, and realized that I forgot the fact that the screws holding the drive in are totally stripped. This happened the last time I tried to take the drive out. Dell uses super soft metal for the screws, even if I use the exact right size, the driver will just go through the screw head like butter.

3/4 of the screws holding it in have basically no slot in the head for the driver anymore.

Anything I can try at this point?

 

[W1zzard]

try if you can grab to the outside of the screws with pliers

 

[ArmoredCavalry]

try if you can grab to the outside of the screws with pliers

2 of the screws are flush with the surface, and the other 2 are in a half inch well. I did try a needle nose plier with the flush screws, but no luck.

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

Ok best option, make your own screw heads! Break out the dremel and a cut-off wheel, and cut a flat notch in the middle. Then undo with a flat head screwdriver.

EDIT: The two in the holes are kinda not gonna work with my method.

 

[ArmoredCavalry]

Ok best option, make your own screw heads! Break out the dremel and a cut-off wheel, and cut a flat notch in the middle. Then undo with a flat head screwdriver.

I definitely wouldn't be able to with the 2 screws in the 1/2 inch well. As for the 2 that are flush, well they are actually slightly below the surface, not completely flush. So I think a dremel is probably impossible in this case.

 

[MKmods]

Ok best option, make your own screw heads! Break out the dremel and a cut-off wheel, and cut a flat notch in the middle. Then undo with a flat head screwdriver.

+1
if no dremel try to epoxy a small screwdriver into the screw.(make sure its clean and dries throughly)
If its as soft as you say you can drill a small pilot hole in the center and remove it that way

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

Yeah too bad. Ok plan B... Go to Lowes. Find a "screw extractor." I don't have one, but I have used them and they work great! (not on the size I think you might have but go check anyway.


Also, the epoxy idea above requires PATIENCE. Don't rush it!

 

[MKmods]

I dont think they make them that small..(one brand name is EZ-out)

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

I dont think they make them that small..

Yeah I'm pretty sure they don't either. I have done your epoxy method, but it takes about 8 hours for it to work well.

 

[erocker]

+1
if no dremel try to epoxy a small screwdriver into the screw.(make sure its clean and dries throughly)
If its as soft as you say you can drill a small pilot hole in the center and remove it that way

That's how I'd go about it. I haven't seen a "ez-out" that would be that small either, but the epoxy method should work.

 

[ArmoredCavalry]

Any epoxy you recommend?

 

[MKmods]

im old school and like JB weld
http://www.jbweld.net/products/jbweld.php

I dont think the fast dry stuff will work for what you want so use the reg stuff, follow the directions and dont use too much (or you will bury the screw forever, lol)

 

[sneekypeet]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952154000P
Sorry no location. DOnt know if you have anything close if you are out of the US.

 

[MKmods]

Thats another option (it has a #1 size bit which is small, may not be small enough but if the epoxy dosent work its worth a try)

 

[sneekypeet]

I use em for trim screw in appliances, as they tend to rust over quite often. The work really well, but those HDD screws may indeed be too small.

 

[erocker]

im old school and like JB weld
http://www.jbweld.net/products/jbweld.php

I dont think the fast dry stuff will work for what you want so use the reg stuff, follow the directions and dont use too much (or you will bury the screw forever, lol)

Lol, I repaired the engine block (cracked through to a water passage) of my old boat with JBWeld. It held up an entire year of abusing it!

 

[MKmods]

its amazing how good it is.. I have been using it for many years.

I am never without JB Weld and Locktite blue

 

[Bundy]

This is guaranteed to work but it may break something. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver

 

[d3fct]

just drill out the screw heads then when u get the laptop apart undo the rest of screw that stickin up with vise grips, much faster than any epoxy.

 

[MKmods]

This is guaranteed to work but it may break something. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver

lol, I think when using a sledge hammer (to strike the tool) voids the warranty of the laptop...