Getting out a small stripped screw?
 

I just resently got a Dreamcast (used) and it seems on of the controllers buttons sometimes doesn't work. I know what I need to do to fix it but I first need to get the cover off. Problem is, one of the screws is stripped. Is there a way I can get the screw out without cracking the plastic? The screw is pretty small, as small as the screws on most motherboards but not quite as small as the screws used in computer cases. Thanks.

Oh if it helps, it is a philips head screw.

Try to find a flat head screwdriver with teh tip that is jsut eh size of the stripped out peortion of the screw. Hit it a few times to make it wedge itself into it and remove the screw. another option would be to drill the head off teh screw and remove the rest of it with pliers once the controller is apart.

I have a set of screw-outs. The smallest would be too large for this application. I've also tried to use the 'small screwdriver tap' and only succeded in breaking the plastic. I say the best bet would be to carefully drill off the head- if it's stripped just right it will act as a pilot hole already.

I think the problem your having is that the screww just spins and will not come out, right? The only way to get one of these out is to get something under the screw head while trying to back out the screw. Once it catches the the screw should come right out. Try a small screw driver or better yet one of those Tack pullers to pry it up while turning.

If the head is stripped, there's a new tool out there, I believe from Craftsman, that grips the screw and will get it out for you. It looked pretty cool.

If you can get the head of the screw out a little bit, then you can grab it with a Visegrips and unscrew it. This usually works for me.

My first resort for a stripped screw head is to use a Dremel tool with a narrow cutoff wheel and cut a clean slot-be careful not to transmit heat to the plastic-go at it in pulses.

Thanks everyone. So far the screw is still in there but I will try the dremel way as I have one of those here. If that doesn't work, I can take it to my dad's and try a good O' drill. Thanks all.

I would get a hold of some valve grinding compond, put some on the tip of the screwdriver and it will hold in the slot a bit better, hope this helps.

If all else fails: Throw the thing in the garbage. You can get new, still in the box and shrinkwrapped dreamcast controllers on Ebay for like $5 or go to Electronics Boutique or Gamestop and they have lots and lots for not much money at all.

screw grab
 

The is an adhesive called "screw grab". You just squirt some on the screw head and undo it using a screwdriver. Work a treat on aircraft stuff.

I can vouch for the Craftsman kit. It's a specialized kit that allows you to easily drill out a stripped or stuck screw. I've only used it on cabinetry and doors, however, not sure how well it would work on the smaller machine screws that you're dealing with.

Vice Grips baby. if it will go over the head of the screw.

Put a dab of toothpaste on the head of the screw and push down as hard as you can while turning counterclockwise.

before you go apeshit with the dermel, listen to Collegestudent. The valve grinding compountd trick is tried and true, I learned that when i worked at the shop.
My boss told me that it would cause the screwdrivers to grip so hard that the tip would break off in the screw before it slipped out.....

if the screw is just spinning, take an old and very small screw driver and super glue it to the head----just hold it straight for a minute while it sets up----then turn and pull at the same time---the next thread should grab and come out...

What does the tooth paste do? Does it give the driver more grip because of the abrasiveness of the paste? I've never tried this.

It would do the same thing as rubbing compound...give it grit so you have more grip.

Philips head screws totally suck... I hate em'

Thanks guys - they never seem to make screwdrivers the same size as the slots in the screws, and I strip 'em all the time.

Looks toi be time for a new set of screw drivers gar1976

find a needle nose pair of kelly clamps[surgeons use them to clamp stuff] clamp it on the screw head and pull and turn.

Would taking a drill bit and drilling it out in peices work?

Needle-nose pliers may work if the screw is located in an accesible spot. If it's a recessed screw, then I'd recommend snagging a screw grabber or trying the grinding compound.

Don't drill it out. The metal screw is harder than the plastic surrounding it, so it'll actually perform the opposite of a pilot hole and force the screw out of the way.