UKC

Hi,
I'm trying to remove a stripped laptop screw. It doesn't have any thread to grip so is basically impossible to remove. Is there any way of removing the screw?
Thanks

In reply to outtathaway:
Try putting a rubber band between the screwdriver and the screw. The rubber will fill the empty space and grip around it. If everything else fails drill the whole screw out with a power drill.

In reply to outtathaway:

Do you mean the screw rotates, but doesn't back out of the hole? Try a magnetic screwdriver, or Blu Tack or chewing gum on the end of the screwdriver, then unscrew slowly whilst withdrawing the screwdriver very gently. Another possibility is to use your smallest vacuum cleaner nozzle and try to suck it out.

In reply to outtathaway:

If the thread is stripped then as Mr. InaBox has suggested suck it out or use something sticky. If it is the head that has stripped then you've got a different problem and a fair few options depending on the size and type of screw:

- Drill it out (Fast, easy but possibly terminal for the laptop if you aren't careful plus you'll need to re-tap the whole and use a bigger screw).

- Cut a new head - Larger domed headed screws can be 'fixed' by carefully filing a slot in them with a needlefile. This is pretty fiddly though on smaller screws.

- Screw extractors are handy if you can borrow some, the cheap ones are normally rubbish though.

What sort of screw is it and what is it in? If it is a retaining screw for a removable drive then try gently pulling the drive out while turning the screw, it gives something to bite against and sometimes works.

In reply to outtathaway:

Hi, when you say screw thread do you mean the bit on the top of the screw you stick the screwdriver in as opposed to the spiral bit round the shaft of the screw?

In reply to RomTheBear:

Brilliant, thanks that worked. Thanks very much everyone.