Hardware Stripped back casing screws while trying to open 3DS

[AmericanBuizel]

Okay, so what happens once I remove the screw head? The screw I'm currently on looks really fuckin' stripped and damaged when I tried to remove it with the extractor.

well the intention is to remove the head of the screw(well actually its more to remove the screw, but if you take the head off the screw its almost as good), the heads of the 3DS screws are very thin, it shouldn't take much effort to remove them

Okay, so what happens once I remove the screw head? The screw I'm currently on looks really fuckin' stripped and damaged when I tried to remove it with the extractor.

 

[gamesquest1]

Okay, so what happens once I remove the screw head? The screw I'm currently on looks really fuckin' stripped and damaged when I tried to remove it with the extractor.

well you wont be able to put the damaged screws back in, best bet would either be spacing them out so the missing screws are in non essential places, or looking for some similar screws to replace the damaged screws

and if you remove the head off the one's you had left, jut remove the back cover, then use a pair of pliers or whatever to manually unscrew the leftover stump, dont just yank it out or you will ruin the threading

 

[AmericanBuizel]

well you wont be able to put the damaged screws back in, best bet would either be spacing them out so the missing screws are in non essential places, or looking for some similar screws to replace the damaged screws

The thing is, the stripped damaged screw I'm on is still in my 3ds and I'm having a really hard time getting it out. I think I might've worn out my extractors so I'm thinking about getting another.

 

[gamesquest1]

The thing is, the stripped damaged screw I'm on is still in my 3ds and I'm having a really hard time getting it out. I think I might've worn out my extractors so I'm thinking about getting another.

is the head off it? like can the case be taken off yet?

here you go a quick diagram to help explain

 

[AmericanBuizel]

is the head off it? like can the case be taken off yet?

here you go a quick diagram to help explain

The case can't be taken off. I still have other screws in. In fact, here's a pic of where the stripped screw I'm on is in:

 

[gamesquest1]

The case can't be taken off. I still have other screws in. In fact, here's a pic of where the stripped screw I'm on is in:

well good luck, not much anyone else can do to help, you either need to get the screws out, or take their heads off

 

[AmericanBuizel]

well good luck, not much anyone else can do to help, you either need to get the screws out, or take their heads off

Well I think I manged to really flatten one of the heads of one of the screws. Maybe that'll help? Also, how exactly am I suppose to get pliers in those little holes?

 

[gamesquest1]

Well I think I manged to really flatten one of the heads of one of the screws. Maybe that'll help? Also, how exactly am I suppose to get pliers in those little holes?

nooo, once the head is off the screw and the back case can be removed, you use pliers to uncsrew the left over screw, if you just try yanking it out you will ruin the case's threading and wont be able to replace the screw

granted it isn't the most amazing picture, but on #3 you can see the case has been lifted off (sort of)

 

[AmericanBuizel]

nooo, once the head is off the screw and the back case can be removed, you use pliers to uncsrew the left over screw, if you just try yanking it out you will ruin the case's threading and wont be able to replace the screw

granted it isn't the most amazing picture, but on #3 you can see the case has been lifted off (sort of)

Well, should I remove the other screws first before trying to use pliers or something? I haven't attempted to remove all the screws yet. Remember, the screw I tried to unscrew in my picture, I'm pretty sure I flattened the top instead. It's hard to see, but the top part looks kinda flat-ish and really ruined. Also, any idea what kind of pliers I should use or something?

 

[gamesquest1]

Well, should I remove the other screws first before trying to use pliers or something? I haven't attempted to remove all the screws yet. Remember, the screw I tried to unscrew in my picture, I'm pretty sure I flattened the top instead. It's hard to see, but the top part looks kinda flat-ish and really ruined. Also, any idea what kind of pliers I should use or something?

yeah, pliers should only be used once all screws are removed/have their heads removed, its not even "necessary", but if you want to be able to replace the damaged screws you will need to unscrew the remaining shaft from the case

 

[AmericanBuizel]

yeah, pliers should only be used once all screws are removed/have their heads removed, its not even "necessary", but if you want to be able to replace the damaged screws you will need to unscrew the remaining shaft from the case

Well like I said, I flattened the head of the screw that I'm on. Does that count as removing the head or something or is there something else I'm not doing? Just, what is the proper technique to removing the heads?

 

[Slushie3DS]

I was more of just commenting that for those that have used tools extensively. I work in carpentry, so I often use tools like that. It is likely that someone inexperienced could ruin their device; it takes a great deal of finesse to accomplish the task in a clean way.

I had stripped the x00 micro-screw on the top right of my 2DS (Underneath the battery plate), but I wanted to paint it and look at the motherboard. As a chance to show off a bit, here was the end result.

 

[Locke644]

The best method I've tried for removing small screws has been by using JB weld to attach the screwdriver to the screw head and work it out that way. if you got the quick setting version, you might want to give that a go to avoid having to mar up your 3DS.

hope this helps :/

 

[AmericanBuizel]

The best method I've tried for removing small screws has been by using JB weld to attach the screwdriver to the screw head and work it out that way. if you got the quick setting version, you might want to give that a go to avoid having to mar up your 3DS.

hope this helps :/

What does it mean to "mar" up my 3ds?

 

[Locke644]

What does it mean to "mar" up my 3ds?

Sorry for replying so late. 'marring' something up is just another word for scratching. Or in this case, etching some of the plastic off.

Anyway, hope you've be able to fix it by now

 

[Pluupy]

Sory about necro, but a 5/64 drill bit helped me fix a 2DS. I had stripped 10 of the 12 motherboard screws who were more secure than the three treasures of Japan. This is the drill bit I used:

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/accessories/drilling/48-89-4602

At first, I practiced around the battery slot area because those screws don't have wires or anything around them. This makes them for an easy practice area. The 2DS is like this, but unsure of other models.

I had the drill on lowest power possible and drilled on top of the screw until the head came off (they look like little rings and always got stuck on the drill bit, which i had to remove each time). I did this for each screw. Extremely careful around motherboard parts! Steady hand steady hand steady hand!

DO NOT LET THE DRILL BIT SLIP ANYWHERE. This drill bit advertises that it doesn't "walk", and it didn't for the most part. I'm not very strong and didn't apply pressure. The screw heads eventually came off after a minute of drilling.

After the screw heads are off, you need needlenose pliers of some sort to twist the rest of the screw out of their holes. Anything tiny enough to grasp them is ok. You need to twist the pliers as if you were twisting the screw out normally. Don't force them or you will damage the motherboard and housing.

Thank you for the help guys. I have a very happy little girl playing her 2DS again.

 

[Thirty3Three]

its fine without the screws. It stays on. The casing just sucks in general. They break i you unscrew and screw them too much, rather easily.

 

[Pluupy]

its fine without the screws. It stays on. The casing just sucks in general. They break i you unscrew and screw them too much, rather easily.

Yes agreed! I did not buy replacement screws so the motherboard is actually hanging loose inside. The exterior screws hold the device together very tightly.

 

[MegaKyurem]

Is there a link anywhere for replacement screws? I'm on a new 3ds xl and can't seem to find them anywhere (I checked on ebay and amazon)