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[OM] Re: Need help removing a stripped screw

Subject: [OM] Re: Need help removing a stripped screw
From: Jim Brokaw <jbrokaw@xxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 14:37:31 -0800
on 3/21/04 2:43 PM, Gary Teller at gmteller@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> I need help with removing a base plate screw that has a stripped/rounded
> head?  Apparently a previous owner had attempted to loosen the screw
> without success.
> 
> I'm not able to bite into the head and get a turning grip with the small
> phillips or flat head (slotted) screwdrivers I have.
> 
> Does anyone have any surefire solutions for removing the screw?  Or should
> I leave it to a professional repair person.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Gary

Baseplate screws are flathead style, so you can (very carefully) drill it
out. Once you drill away the head, you will be able to remove the bottom
plate, leaving a small stub of screw sticking out. Then grab this stub with
pliers and turn it out. If you're drilling a crosshead, the drill will tend
to self-center, but it won't for a slot-head, so you might need to start
slow and/or use a center punch.

Before doing this, I would try one 'trick'... put a hot soldering iron tip
on the screw for a few seconds (obviously, don't try this if the camera is
plastic!). Sometimes heat will help loosen the screw if it is stuck in
place. If the crosshead (not phillips, but crosshead, there is a
difference!) is chewed up or the slot is scraped away, this might still help
if it takes less torque to start it turning after the heat.
-- 

Jim Brokaw
OM-'s of all sorts, and no OM-oney...




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