How to remove a stripped screw?

Nabs

This is awkward. I'm trying to remove the PCB of a 2.5" HDD. One screw is really stripped, no screwdriver would hang into position to get it out. Any ideas?

yasamoka

A small drill bit will do the job. Drill the screw from the top until it no more holds the PCB in place. However, the section of the screw containing the threads will have to remain inside the screw holder, forever :(

AvoK95

Try a Philips head screw driver and apply good amount of pressure on the screw and slowly try to turn it.
If you're going to replace the PCB, then I just see no point of why not just breaking the old PCB and then manually unscrewing the screw with a pair of pliers or something.
You can also try to apply some super glue on the inside of the screw and stick your screw driver head to the screw and simply unscrew it. Though I highly doubt that would work :P

yasamoka

Nabs wroteThis is awkward. I'm trying to remove the PCB of a 2.5" HDD. One screw is really stripped, no screwdriver would hang into position to get it out. Any ideas?

AvoK95 wroteTry a Philips head screw driver and apply good amount of pressure on the screw and slowly try to turn it.

Philips head screw driver (belongs to) (the set of) screwdrivers (which he already tried).
That will mess it up even more :P

The glue idea is good, he needs very strong glue though. And he just told me the screw is very tiny, so it's hard to get anything thick in there.

I suggested he disassemble the PCB components and solder them onto a new PCB. He didn't take the bait :P

mesa177

I would suggest that you first apply some WD-40 spray, and use a Philips screwdriver with a flat-ended head (note: the screwdriver should be slightly of larger size than screw). This mainly works if the screw still has some edged sides to support the screwdriver and has not been completely "melted". Otherwise, use a small hand-drill to drill just the tip of the screw and break it from it's base. This way it won't remain stuck.

Nabs

@Mesa177, no edges whatsoever!

mmk92

This worked for me quiet a few times before, I usually put a rubber band between a philips screw driver and the screw then apply a lot of pressure and turn the driver slowly until its loose enought to be removed by hand

Nabs

@MMK92, the screw is very small. That trick works with bigger screws, but thanks for trying, mate!

Gamer

Apply WD40 like mesa177 said
but try this first
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a67f1-wOGQA

or this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPIpglA6oOM

MohammedSF

I got a stripped torx type screw in a HDD PCB before and i got around it using a little drop of ALTECO GLUE on the screw's head then insert the driver and keep it straight, hold the driver for a minute to make it catch then leave it for about 5 minutes to dry,,

Try to remove the screw after 5 minutes and voila !