extractors for stripped laptop screws

[lgtechcomputers]

So I get a laptop from a customer and I am investigating the internals of the laptop and on my way to taking out the cd slot drive, I find two screws that are stripped...I gently try about 12 screw heads from my collection but none can get a grip.

I am going to pay a visit to a local gunsmith to see I can find a very small screw extractor. I don't want to use a dremel or super glue or anything that could damage the laptop.

My question is - do any of you guys have these extractors? If so where did you buy it and which?
I have visited several sites on the internet and found many options, I am hoping to narrow it down with a recommendation.

Thanks!

 

[lgtechcomputers]

nobody here has dealt with stripped screws?

all right - i guess i'll wait a bit longer and see if i get some bites.

 

[Styxbound]

Stripped screws

Try googling camera repair tools. When I was in that business 45 years ago it was a recurring problem with very small screws. As near as I can recall we usually dealt with them by sawing a slot in the screw or drilling out with left hand drills. Wish I could remember more but my CRS Syndrome is pretty bad.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

nobody here has dealt with stripped screws?

all right - i guess i'll wait a bit longer and see if i get some bites.

Most of the seasoned techs here have dealt with them. I can usually find a bit to get most stripped screws out, unless its stripped and frozen. Then the drill and the grinder come out. One long screw that went from the bottom case and screwed into the top case I was dealing with in a macbook barely had any head on it to work with while it was screwed through polycarbonate and soft aluminum. I thought that one was going to turn out real ugly, and let the client know what he was looking at. But after snapping and destroying a few small drill bits, the screw mount inside the top case let loose and I was even able to get another long screw back in the hole so it was barely noticeable. Every stripped/stuck screw is a different story and I'm not sure of any universal removal tool thats good for most situations. I've just been able to drill them out most of the time at the cost of buying some new drill bits and haven't really had the need/urgentcy to look for a better method?

 

[DCGPX]

I havent,touch wood, come across stripped heads yet, I HAVE come across the screw stripping the plastic its supposed to screw into in, just turns yet won't come out or pry apart.

I have serious palps when having to flex the plastics hoping its either split or start to grip.

Never thought about the camera angle for extractors, personally never seen any small enough so interested in replies to this thread

 

[Larry Sabo]

A while back, PCTek9 mentioned this set, which looks good.

 

[NYJimbo]

A while back, PCTek9 mentioned this set, which looks good.

that is a very cool website for buying gadgets for laptop work:

http://www.micromark.com/

 

[Graystar]

On laptops I have had great success with Instant Superglue I have learned not to use the cheap discount brands. I really like the "Crazy Glue" and 3M brands It is fast curing and I apply it to the tip of the screwdriver and then insert the tip into the errant screw and stabilize for a while to allow it to set up.

On a side note I have been using "Gorrilla" glue here lately on things I have time to allow to cure. this stuff is awesome it dries hard and is sandable but it will expand considerably.

my 2 cents...

 

[lgtechcomputers]

Try googling camera repair tools. When I was in that business 45 years ago it was a recurring problem with very small screws. As near as I can recall we usually dealt with them by sawing a slot in the screw or drilling out with left hand drills. Wish I could remember more but my CRS Syndrome is pretty bad.

Great suggestion - i thought a gunsmith but did not think about camera repair tools. I will give that a shot as part of my to-do.

Thanks.

 

[lgtechcomputers]

that is a very cool website for buying gadgets for laptop work:

http://www.micromark.com/

Awesome this set is one of the ones I had looked.
That helps narrow it down.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

 

[PaulRome]

Grrr, I stripped a screw yesterday putting back the cover for a 2.5 HD .
I was lucky and and was able to get enough pressure on it to get it out by placing a rubberband over the head.

Never thought about using super glue. Nice idea.

I do have a photography club down the block from my house, I'm going to see what they use.

I will own an extractor set by the end of the day.

Bottom line I just need to be more careful.


Best of luck