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View Full Version : Stripped Back Screws - Tips?

C.I.A.D.
12-06-2007, 07:09 PM
Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove a stripped back screw from a figure?
sharke
12-06-2007, 07:14 PM
apply directly to the forhead, apply directly to the forhead
DESTRO
12-06-2007, 07:14 PM
Use a shotgun.
C.I.A.D.
12-06-2007, 07:19 PM
Gee, thanks, fellas...a friggin' wealth of information over here lol.
Storm.Shadow
12-06-2007, 07:21 PM
Do you need to keep the screw?
And is it just the head that is striped?
Cobra Commander
12-06-2007, 07:23 PM
I use a drill and drill out the center of the screw (slowly) until the head pops off then you take the figure apart and remove the rest of the screw with pliers.
Storm.Shadow
12-06-2007, 07:26 PM
I use a drill and drill out the center of the screw (slowly) until the head pops off then you take the figure apart and remove the rest of the screw with pliers.


More or less what I was going to suggest. First I would try using a Robertson head instead of a Phillips. It may allow you to get enough grip to back the screw out.
C.I.A.D.
12-06-2007, 07:26 PM
Do you need to keep the screw?
And is it just the head that is striped?


Yes Sir, it's just the head that's stripped, and no Sir, I have plenty of screws so it's just a matter of removing the problem screw :D


CC, that's a good idea about the drill gun. What size bit do you use?
C.I.A.D.
12-06-2007, 07:27 PM
Ah, thanks for the suggestions, fellas! I'll definitely try it! :D
Cobra Commander
12-06-2007, 07:31 PM
CC, that's a good idea about the drill gun. What size bit do you use?



I use a thin drill bit, slightly bigger than the threads of the screw.
C.I.A.D.
12-06-2007, 08:23 PM
Awesome! Thanks for the tips, guys! I'll have to put'em to the test this weekend when I have time to dig out my drill.
thunderdan19
12-06-2007, 09:17 PM
What about that thing Bob Vila sells on the TeeVee???
tkprime
12-06-2007, 09:40 PM
C.I.A.D. There's a tool they sell at sears that is designed just for removing broke heads (it comes in different sizes and attached to a standard power drill, this tool has saved many a joe in my collection that I got from evilbay, look for it at sears! the tool makes a shape in the broken screwhead and then you reverse the tool and it has a head that fits into the groove it creates and presto it grabs and removes said screw!
Lt. Faceless
12-06-2007, 09:55 PM
I would always take a screwdriver and force on the screw and twist it,still adding some force to it.Even a stripped screw still has something to grab.
thunderdan19
12-07-2007, 12:30 AM
C.I.A.D. There's a tool they sell at sears that is designed just for removing broke heads (it comes in different sizes and attached to a standard power drill, this tool has saved many a joe in my collection that I got from evilbay, look for it at sears! the tool makes a shape in the broken screwhead and then you reverse the tool and it has a head that fits into the groove it creates and presto it grabs and removes said screw!

Yeah, that. They advertise it on TV too.
mizak23
12-07-2007, 10:04 PM
Hey CIAD I use a drill but I put it on reverse, that way it might unscrew it before it demolishes the screw and theres less risk involved.
C.I.A.D.
12-08-2007, 07:14 AM
You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the advice that you've given me!

You know....in aaaaaaall my years of collecting...this is the first time I've ever had to deal with a stripped back screw...

Awe, my first time...today, once I return from Sears...I'll be a MAN! :D
Shogi
12-08-2007, 09:50 AM
It may be too late, but be wary of using the drill. I tried it once (Maybe I did it wrong) and the friction of the drill against the screw melted the plastic.

I have found some of the best ways are using WD-40 and a Philips head screwdriver that has the pointed end cut off (So the end is flat)
Xerofall
12-10-2007, 04:10 PM
I second... (or third) the Sears special drill bit for removing stripped screws.
bluebikerboy1
12-21-2007, 01:06 AM
if all else fails buy a new torso :p
for reals though be careful with the drill, i lost a crimson guard cause it melted it. i usually put more force on it and wd-40. i also try diffrent size bits.
Magick
12-21-2007, 03:59 AM
Also on a side note... There is a nice little hobby tool called a pin vise. If any of you are into Games Workshop's 40K then you will be familiar with it. It is a manual hand drill so you don't have to worry about accidentally going too fast with an electric drill and messing up the torsoe.. it can drill threw metal with ease and is fairly cheap.

You can find one at most hobby stores for around $10and they usually come with varied sizes of bits some of them very tiny to just about screw size. It's what I use to get any I encounter.
bluebikerboy1
12-21-2007, 04:36 PM
Also on a side note... There is a nice little hobby tool called a pin vise. If any of you are into Games Workshop's 40K then you will be familiar with it. It is a manual hand drill so you don't have to worry about accidentally going too fast with an electric drill and messing up the torsoe.. it can drill threw metal with ease and is fairly cheap.

You can find one at most hobby stores for around $10and they usually come with varied sizes of bits some of them very tiny to just about screw size. It's what I use to get any I encounter.
im going to have to look for that one :)