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What are your tips/tricks for removing or extracting stripped screws?

What are your tips/tricks for removing or extracting stripped screws?

I come across an absurd amount of stripped screws (Apple refurb machines often have stripped screws in them, as do other machines I work on, and I have been known to strip a screw or two on my own).

Asked by: Guest | Views: 191
Total answers/comments: 4
mcgyver89 [Entry]

"I use a Dremel tool with the thin round disc cutting attachment to cut a groove into the head of the screw, at which point it's often possible to use a flathead screwdriver to get it out. Just be careful not to cut too deep, because you'll run the risk of cutting half the head of the screw off, and then things are even more difficult.

In the case of the bottom casing of iBooks, I often end up just ripping the case right off when one of the three long screws won't come out, and then I use a heavy wrench to turn the screws and get them out once the casing has been removed. Fortunately the screwholes break off pretty cleanly, so it's possible to put the bottom casing back on later and it's not apparent (unless you look really hard) that damage has been done."
mcgyver89 [Entry]

"Put a piece of a thick rubber band in the screw hole and then use the screwdriver, pressing down so that the screwdriver engages the screw. This works good on small stripped PH or slat head screws. BEFORE starting, read the following>>

NOTE: You want to be sure to get the screw head and the screwdriver lined up BEFORE inserting the piece of rubber band. I use a very fine line permanent marker on the top edge of the hole where the screw is in order to get the orientation correct. Then mark the piece of rubber the same way. I use narrow, fine tweezers to insert & adjust the piece of rubber to line up with my screw hole marks. A long sewing needle can help you fine tune the alignment. This way, you'll know exactly how to line up your screwdriver head AND avoid chewing up the piece of rubber band. And with a little patience, the screw will come out."
mcgyver89 [Entry]

"I use an EasyOut tool.

There are various sizes perhaps you can find one small enough to work."
mcgyver89 [Entry]

i had the same problem and i fixed it using a superglue. drilling a little hole in the screw inserting a toax and filling up the hole with superglue.