How to get mashed screw out (fragile!)

almoststew1990 · 15 Aug 2016 at 20:37

I'm taking apart my Gameboy Micro but I've hit a stumbling block- one of the screws is in pretty bad shape through a combination of both my own and previous owner's retardation / determination to get it open.

Also this screw to actually...

I've definitely seen worse screws and if it was on something solid I could probably force it out easy enough just by pushing down really hard but that isn't going to work for a fragile Gameboy! Any tips?

almoststew1990 · 15 Aug 2016 at 20:41

413x said:
Sometimes I could push the screwdriver in so hard I got purchase.. Most likely worked

..got purchase? I'm trying to think what auto correct that would be!?

almoststew1990 · 15 Aug 2016 at 20:53

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried a variety of screwdrivers (phillips and flat head but I was using the best one for the job to begin with. Both of my sets of pliers are too chunky to get a grip on it- they slide right over it.

Elastic Band and then Superglue sounds like the next ideas!

almoststew1990 · 15 Aug 2016 at 21:07

danza said:
You usually end up with this problem with Philips screwdrivers with too sharp a point. The point holds the driver off the bottom of the screw 'cross', and in turn it prevents it locating in the cross of the head properly. You need to shorten the tip of the driver so it locates on the top of the cross, so the torque load is spread over a greater area. A file or even emery cloth (or failing that, a brick) and taking off half a mm will probably do the job. Look where the screw head is not mashed up, this shows what I mean.

YES thank you! I filed down one of my more naff screwdrivers a bit and it fitted much better and came out (with a very loud crack!)

almoststew1990 · 15 Aug 2016 at 21:22

It turns out it was both the screw and the plastic GBM frame cracking, damn it