Hardware Stripped back casing screws while trying to open 3DS

[Supakitsune]

Welp, I hecked up.

I was trying to open my 3DS (original, not XL) so I could replace the busted shoulder buttons.
I stripped three of the screws (top leftmost, top 2nd to left, top rightmost) by using too large a screwdriver.
I've tried using the new screwdriver set I bought that managed to remove the other screws just fine; no dice.
I tried using a flathead driver of about the same size; no luck there either.
I even tried putting super glue on the end of the screwdriver, holding it in place for about a minute, then trying to turn the screw; didn't work.
I have no access to power tools, can't afford to buy any, and don't know anyone who owns any.
Is there any hope or am I just completely boned?

 

[hippy dave]

Pay a phone repair shop to remove them?

 

[cracker]

Probably the only thing you can do is drill off the tops of those screws.

 

[Patxinco]

Got same problem, in my case i used a screwdriver and a balloon, that i saw that can help to remove them (just place the balloon between screwdriver and the screws, then push and try to turn)
If not, do what hippy dave says, cause drilling them could be worst imo.

Good luck!!!

 

[hippy dave]

Hm balloon is an interesting idea, I'll try to remember that one!

 

[Psionic Roshambo]

They sell things to remove stripped screws, but I am not sure they make them that small?

 

[kiel379]

Iv manage to remove a stripped screw with a rubber band before but I'm not sure about screws as small as yours. Here's a link on how to do it.

http://lifehacker.com/5462520/remove-a-stripped-screw-with-a-rubber-band

 

[SmileCitrus]

A drill really would be the easiest way, but I have had lots of success with this particular screw extractor set. I bought it specifically for use on stripped screws in 3DS consoles. It's a bit pricey but it was worth it for me because I use it often. But since you just have a few screws to extract though, I don't know if buying a product like that is really worth it. If I were you I'd ask around to find someone who could loan me a drill for just a short time.

Although I wouldn't recommend it, a desperate measure that you could take would be to get a small flat-head screwdriver and a hammer and very gently strike the handle of the screwdriver so that it becomes lodged in the head of the screw. Then you can slowly turn it and extract it. You would basically be using the flat-head screwdriver as a homemade screw extractor. Of course, this is not a good idea if you have any alternatives, since you could damage the housing or even injure yourself, but it could possibly work. It's something you should only try if you've got no other choice and don't mind running the risk of damaging the housing.

 

[cracker]

I was thinking about a screw removal bit but are they slender enough to fit in the recessed holes? I haven't taken my normal 3DS apart (yet) and it is hard to tell from pics. It is hard to even find a decent precision bit-based driver whose bits can reach all the screws in different devices.

 

[Batoussai]

When removing large screws it's possible to put a little epoxy or cianoacrylate on its cavity and put a screwdriver in it and let it cure... works, but you gotta be careful because getting super glue between the case and the screw will certainly ruin your day.

 

[AmericanBuizel]

A drill really would be the easiest way, but I have had lots of success with this particular screw extractor set. I bought it specifically for use on stripped screws in 3DS consoles. It's a bit pricey but it was worth it for me because I use it often. But since you just have a few screws to extract though, I don't know if buying a product like that is really worth it. If I were you I'd ask around to find someone who could loan me a drill for just a short time.

Although I wouldn't recommend it, a desperate measure that you could take would be to get a small flat-head screwdriver and a hammer and very gently strike the handle of the screwdriver so that it becomes lodged in the head of the screw. Then you can slowly turn it and extract it. You would basically be using the flat-head screwdriver as a homemade screw extractor. Of course, this is not a good idea if you have any alternatives, since you could damage the housing or even injure yourself, but it could possibly work. It's something you should only try if you've got no other choice and don't mind running the risk of damaging the housing.

That link to the Screw Extractor set, I ordered it on amazon but I honestly don't know how to use it. Can you please tell me how? :/

 

[SmileCitrus]

That link to the Screw Extractor set, I ordered it on amazon but I honestly don't know how to use it. Can you please tell me how? :/

First you should try using the Phillips screw driver that comes in that set. It's so well-made that there's a good chance you might not even need the extractor.

But if you can't use the screwdriver to get the stripped screw(s) out, basically you just put as much of your body weight on top of the extractor as possible. Eventually the teeth of the extractor will dig their way into the head of the screw and you can slowly turn counterclockwise to remove it.

Although I'm sure it's not the proper technique, I admit that sometimes I do strike the top of the extractor with a hammer to help it dig into the head of the screw, but often this leads to damage, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a spare set of housing available.

 

[cracker]

Should you use masking tape to prevent jittering off the screw and damaging the 3DS?

 

[AmericanBuizel]

Should you use masking tape to prevent jittering off the screw and damaging the 3DS?

What do you mean by that?

 

[cracker]

Sometimes you tape off the area when drilling to prevent moving off the target. I was thinking it might be a good idea for this as well since the OP doesn't need any more problems with their 3DS.

 

[Slushie3DS]

I just wanted to confirm that I was successful in removing a stripped 2DS screw by turning my drill on low, and holding a 5/64 bit to it, allowing the bit to turn slowly. After several painfully scary minutes, it did successfully drill through the head, and the threading piece fell out when I lifted the back off.

 

[AmericanBuizel]

I just wanted to confirm that I was successful in removing a stripped 2DS screw by turning my drill on low, and holding a 5/64 bit to it, allowing the bit to turn slowly. After several painfully scary minutes, it did successfully drill through the head, and the threading piece fell out when I lifted the back off.

Link to the drill and drill bit used?

 

[gamesquest1]

last time someone who hadn't done it before was suggested to use a drill they took out half the case and damaged the motherboard, i recently got another 3ds where someone had done exactly the same, rather than screwing the head off they had drilled a massive hole in the case.......drilling should only be attempted by those with a steady hand or you might slip and go through the case and damage the motherboard....if you have the extractor kit ordered, just wait for it, also when putting extra pressure of the 3DS, fold the top screen out so you don't crack it by applying too much force, its much cheaper and easier to replace the lower screen than the top screen should the worst happen

and in future, if you don't have the correct sized screwdriver, wait until you do , also make sure you use decent quality screwdriver, not cheapo crappy one

 

[AmericanBuizel]

last time someone who hadn't done it before was suggested to use a drill they took out half the case and damaged the motherboard, i recently got another 3ds where someone had done exactly the same, rather than screwing the head off they had drilled a massive hole in the case.......drilling should only be attempted by those with a steady hand or you might slip and go through the case and damage the motherboard....if you have the extractor kit ordered, just wait for it, also when putting extra pressure of the 3DS, fold the top screen out so you don't crack it by applying too much force, its much cheaper and easier to replace the lower screen than the top screen should the worst happen

and in future, if you don't have the correct sized screwdriver, wait until you do , also make sure you use decent quality screwdriver, not cheapo crappy one

I tried the screw extractor kit, it worked for one screw, but heavily damaged another screw to the point that it just looks really messed up and I think one of the extractors is kinda getting worn out. I don't exactly have a lot of muscle but I'm thinking about getting another extractor set since like I said, I think the other one is getting worn out.

 

[gamesquest1]

I tried the screw extractor kit, it worked for one screw, but heavily damaged another screw to the point that it just looks really messed up and I think one of the extractors is kinda getting worn out. I don't exactly have a lot of muscle but I'm thinking about getting another extractor set since like I said, I think the other one is getting worn out.

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