General Asylum

General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

Return to General Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what.

198.228.201.146
Posted on August 19, 2014 at 10:59:23
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011



Stripped a screw replacing an outlet cover. Now I got this. I've been battling it out for an hour. Can I take apart the outlet to get it from behind? I'm so mad right now.

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 11:08:46
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 can't tell if that's a bit protruding out of the screw-

if it's a matter of a stripped phillips head, the rubber-band method works pretty good:



good luck









 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 11:28:56
shutterbob
Audiophile

Posts: 643
Location: Central Missouri
Joined: August 23, 2008
 Or use a Dremel tool and cutting wheel or a fine file to cut a grove across the screw shaft. Then use a sharp flathead screwdriver to back it out.

 

Not certain from the photo, posted on August 19, 2014 at 11:32:20
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6604
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 It appears the head of the screw stands out. Can you grip that with needle-nose pliers or small vice-grips and pull out as you turn counter-clockwise? That might get you past the thread section that was stripped.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 12:09:06
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 thats a great idea! Yes the head of the screw is clean off. GRRR!!

Dont have a dremel tool, but called wattgate. I just sent it to them and they are going to get the screw out for me. Thanks everyone for your answers.

 

Hacksaw a groove, then use flat bladed screwdriver, posted on August 19, 2014 at 12:11:37
Edp
Audiophile

Posts: 4503
Joined: September 23, 1999
 If that fails, file flat, then drill it out or use extractor (not certain they make one small enough in diameter)

 

RE: Hacksaw a groove, then use flat bladed screwdriver, posted on August 19, 2014 at 12:15:10
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 unfortunately, I live in an apartment and don't have access to many tools. Wattgate is going to take care of it for me. THANKS!

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 13:07:09
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17304
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 "I've been battling it out for an hour"

That's good money after bad.

Buy a new outlet.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 13:21:39
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2446
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 Just put the cover on without screwing it using double sided tape! Or even better,Scotch makes double foam mounting squares that are double sided and would do the trick. You can get them at any Walmart or hardware store for about two bucks.

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 15:18:40
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 Tre,

I would agree if the outlet wasnt a wattgate 381Ag Cryo. ;-0

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 16:28:42
amioutaline?
 $150 for an outlet? Spend $10 Bucks on an Easy-Out at any hardware store.

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 17:42:09
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Dremel moto tool can help you out friend.

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 17:44:12
Bromo33333
Audiophile

Posts: 3502
Location: Ipswich, MA
Joined: May 4, 2004
 I've done this. It works most of the time!!
====
"You are precisely as big as what you love and precisely as small as what you allow to annoy you." ~ R A Wilson

 

Screw Extractor, posted on August 19, 2014 at 19:56:29
PSP
Audiophile

Posts: 305
Location: Minnesota
Joined: June 24, 2000
 Screw extractors (mentioned below) are designed to address this problem. You drill a small hole from near the center of the stripped screw head into the screw maybe 1/4 inch deep, then gently pound the proper-sized screw extractor into the hole, and twist the extractor with a wrench (or tap handle) to back the screw out of the hole. It's absolutely sweet and clean, job done in 5 min or less.

Pete

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 20:55:50
jea48
Audiophile

Posts: 6770
Joined: January 5, 2005
 A word of caution, when you get back the receptacle.

From the looks of your picture, it looks like you twisted off the head of the 6/32 trim screw that would indicate the screw was too long and bottomed out in the tapped 6/32 hub of the recept.

Make sure, when you get the duplex receptacle back, the 6/32 trim you use is not too long.
Jim

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 19, 2014 at 21:28:00
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 Will do. Thanks!

 

A gentle word of caution and a suggestion, posted on August 20, 2014 at 03:29:46
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 The suggestion first. Buy a new plug.

Why? It's probably a big bucks item. Well, I have tried many of the tools, methods described above. After having tried them, I have gotten exactly nowhere, each time spending a lot of my valuable time in my vain attempts. In fact, i came to the realization that - for me at least - that it was not worth and in most cases resorted to the brute force method drilling it out with a super hard bit made for cutting into hardened steel and stainless.

Why? Because that's what the pros do. They-and now I-have the tools to make new threads for the larger screw that will replace the original. This works well on cases.

But I am not sure it will work well on your specialty job, one I have never tried before. Nevertheless, i will predict with a probability of maybe just a bit over 50%, that you will spend a lot of time and get nowhere, except to damage the item beyond repair, after a couple of hours of hard, frustrating unenjoyable work, and you will end up having to buy a new one.

I hope I am wrong.

Let us know about the ending. This is what audio is all about, by the way.



 

Agreed! Dremel is a "must have" in an apartment with few tools., posted on August 20, 2014 at 06:09:20
David S.
Audiophile

Posts: 3552
Location: Mountains of WNC
Joined: August 31, 2000
 30 seconds with the Dremel's cutting wheel would make a perfect slot for a flat blade screwdriver.

Problem solved in under a minute. Probably just under 5 minute job, if you count getting the Dremel out of the drawer, attaching cutting wheel, and replacing in drawer when done.

 

RE: A gentle word of caution and a suggestion, posted on August 20, 2014 at 06:37:22
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 Frihed89, I sent it back to the manufacturer. They are going to remove the screw, I doubt that the will not do it elegantly. I would think that they would simply send me a new one if they completely butcher mine. Sending it back to them is a win-win situation, I think. They were very nice to take care of the aggravation for me. I'll keep you guys posted on what the manufacturer does. I would assume that they wouldn't send it back to me unless it was still in spec, especially being an electrical part.

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 20, 2014 at 09:02:58
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17304
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 I'm sorry.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

Glue, posted on August 20, 2014 at 09:38:28
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15168
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 nt

 

RE: A gentle word of caution and a suggestion, posted on August 20, 2014 at 13:41:22
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 Now why didn't i think of that?

 

Yikes! I was thinking, "what's the fuss, just buy a new one"...., posted on August 20, 2014 at 18:14:01
Lee M
 Then I looked it up. $199.00 at Amazon.

 

RE: Bonehead move- stripped a screw. Now what. , posted on August 26, 2014 at 12:57:51
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 Got the outlet back today! Good as new! :-)

 

Page processed in 0.034 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]