Stripped screw woes

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abhijitnath

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This might be slightly OT because it's not audio gear specifically (but it's related to recording music for me, so please bear with me:))
I was trying to replace my internal DVD drive with a second hard drive in my Macbook Pro, and stripped a screw doing so. It's step 8 here: Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012 Dual Hard Drive - iFixit

Apparently it's very common for that particular step- I read it and tried to be careful, but apparently not careful enough:(

I took it around to the repair shops to see if someone would be able to remove it, but no luck so far.
Experienced DIY and/or manufacturers in Delhi- would you be able to help with this? I can come over to wherever you guys are:). Thanks!
 
abhijitnath said:
This might be slightly OT because it's not audio gear specifically (but it's related to recording music for me, so please bear with me:))
I was trying to replace my internal DVD drive with a second hard drive in my Macbook Pro, and stripped a screw doing so. It's step 8 here: Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012 Dual Hard Drive - iFixit

Apparently it's very common for that particular step- I read it and tried to be careful, but apparently not careful enough:(

I took it around to the repair shops to see if someone would be able to remove it, but no luck so far.
Experienced DIY and/or manufacturers in Delhi- would you be able to help with this? I can come over to wherever you guys are:). Thanks!
Click to expand...

Let me google that for you
 
Thanks- I already tried a bunch of these, and took it to a repair shop as well. I was checking in to see if any of our DIY experts could physically help me in getting it out- I don't have most of these tools.
 
What is state of that screw? Head still there with hole rounded or headless screw waiting in place?
 
I had a damaged-head screw holding switch plate into its wall box. It had been put in cross threaded, and was to stiff for the strength of the metal to stand the screwdriver. After attempts at filing a slot (knife-edge needle file) I filed two "sides" to the head and removed it with an adjustable spanner.

But, in place, in a sensitive, expensive, box of electronics, I wouldn't be so keen to try.

and as it goes..im a dentist..so i had the equipment with me..
Click to expand...

And, perhaps more important, you have the skill. powered grinders, burrs, engraving tools, all look, to the layman, as if they make the job easy, but that is utterly untrue. From my experience of some hobby-level jewellery work, I'm just amazed that, when a dentist uses a bur or drill in my mouth, it stays where he wants it to be. Hats off to you profession! I have a Dremel ... I would not attempt to use it inside a laptop.
 
Exactly- the screw is recessed inside a connector and is all but impossible to reach. One of the solutions on the Mac forums is to use a dremel on it, but I wouldn't dare. Looking for a saviour with steadier hands than mine:)
 
abhijitnath said:
It's a Philips screw, the head is still there but the thread on top is rounded off. Here's a link to a picture- it's not mine, but it's very clear. It's the screw on the right, highlighted in orange.
http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/yILuc15KUC2TLdLi.medium
Click to expand...

Now take a thin rubber pad (or silicone pad used for mounting MOSFET on heatsink etc), put it on the screw head and press with same kind of correct size screw driver. This will hold that screw tight, provide extra grip and try to remove. Remember rubber pad must not be slippery.

Otherwise option remains - making slot with precision tool and remove using slotted head screw driver.
 
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I had similar issues but not with tiny screws. I used to use metal sandpaper and make the slot deeper. I was about to suggest a weird idea of applying Araldite and glue a screw driver with the screw, wait for a day and then with same force try to remove it. Araldite bonds metals. Not sure if it will work here. :D But rubber band idea is great.
 
Silicon or Silicone?

OT, and sorry to derail this thread, but where would gel like very flexible thin silicone sheets be available?
 
keith_correa said:
Silicon or Silicone?

OT, and sorry to derail this thread, but where would gel like very flexible thin silicone sheets be available?
Click to expand...

Keith, please note I am referring to thermal pads used for MOSFET like power devices and just mentioning it by name which common shopkeeper knows. Just typing on iPad KB, it does many things in spelling. Regards
 
Last edited:
omishra said:
Keith, please note I am referring to thermal pads used for MOSFET like power devices and just mentioning it by name which common shopkeeper knows. Just typing on iPad KB, it does many things in spelling. Regards
Click to expand...
Yes, I realize that but is that silicon or silicone? Don't know, hence the Q.
 
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