How can I undo a small screw?

[Timothy Murphy]

I have to undo a very small screw in a very small laptop (Sony C1 Picturebook) in order to change the hard disk. The screw is a Phillips screw, but I may have damaged the recess.

Are there any tricks in doing this? I was thinking if the worst came to the worst, I could try to drill it out - but that would be dangerous - or try sawing a slot in the screw.

I think I have a more than sufficient array of screwdrivers of all kinds (including the most plausible, an "electronic screwdriver" set from Maplin).

Any advice gratefully received.

[Mungo "one shed" Toadfoot]

Angle grinder.

Si

[Christian McArdle]

Did you use jeweller's screwdrivers?

Christian.

[Dave Liquorice]

How very small is "very small"? Some small cross head screws from the Far East are not really Philips or Pozi but something else. See if you can get a cross head spectacle screw driver. I got a double headed (slot and cross head) from Boots for a few quid, does the biz on these small Far Eastern cross heads.

Get a driver that fits properly, there is so little metal one slip and the chances are it's going to be beggared.

[Set Square]

I wouldn't let anyone loose near *my* laptop with an angle grinder!

[Lurch]

On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 17:34:28 +0100, "Set Square" strung together this:

You mean you'd only do it yourself, that's the uk.d-i-y spirit!

[Mungo "one shed" Toadfoot]

Well, obviously it would need a small one! Tch!

;o)

Si

[Mungo "one shed" Toadfoot]

Yes, they're only really useful once in a blue moon, but when nothing else will do they're invaluable.

Si

[Scott Mills]

What you mean is one of the small cutting disks that you get on a dremal. They are about 0.5mm thick and will cut a very nice clean slot. I have done that many times.

In fact it is the only time I have ever used the dremal.

[G&M]

Like the one my dentist keeps using on my tooth perhaps ?

[Timothy Murphy]

Yes, that was my first try. A very small slot screwdriver in a jeweller's set is the nearest I have come. it doesn't turn round as the Phillips drivers do (without turning the screw) but on the other hand I can't turn it.

I wonder if the epoxy method someone suggested could possible work? Has anyone ever used this method?

[raden]

In message , Timothy Murphy writes

If you're not concerned with sacrificing the screw, why not epoxy a cheap screwdriver to the screw

[raden]

X-Sheds (where X is an indeterminate variable) - you spend too much time in UKRM

[Richard Sterry]

a) Pick exactly the right size screwdriver, eg jeweller's type. b) Increase the grip using some clever stuff called "Hexagrip". It is a paste in a miniature 'toothpaste tube', containing fine diamond particles, and it helps the screwdriver grip better. I have some knocking about in my toolbox somewhere - probably got it from RS but I can't check for a part number as their UK website is offline at the moment.

HTH

Rick

[N. Thornton]

A careful hammer tap often unseizes screws in metal, makes them come undone easier.

[Peter Taylor]

This is true. Also, have you tried the old trick of trying to tighten it up even more? Often works, especially when you've damaged the slot. Put a bit of WD40 on to lubricate. It's not as daft as it sounds :o)

Peter

[Mungo "one shed" Toadfoot]

I know :o)

But it's addictive and they make so much sense. Sometimes. Ok, rarely.

Si

[Timothy Murphy]

Thanks for all the advice. I tried everything, but in the end I drilled out the screws with a hand-drill and a 2mm bit. I found the screws were held in place with some kind of lockit compound (red).