Hardware 2DS screws

[EpikJimmer]

OK, I've finally heard all of you. I finally went out and bought myself a screwdriver (with multiple screws) BUT:

I unscrewed the battery cover: success!
I then tried to unscrew those deep screws: oops
It would just REFUSE to unscrew.

Any ideas?
(Note: I used a CR-VPHO and a CR-VPZO screw, none could unscrew the deep screws.)

 

[KleinesSinchen]

The screws on 2|3DS are really tight and made out of some really soft metal. They can be stripped very easily. Somewhere I read that it are JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) which look like Phillips screws but supposedly can be damaged easily by Phillips screwdrivers. I don't have special JIS screwdrivers.
That combination (screwed in tight, soft metal, JIS screws) can make removing those screws a hassle.

What often worked for me was placing the screwdriver inside the screw and give the screwdriver a mild strike from above to make sure the tip is perfectly inside the screw head. This won't work if the screws are already stripped. Maybe share a photo.

I feel bad now. I should have given you all that information before. Very sorry.

If you search the web for "stripped screw" you will find all sorts of tips and tricks which mostly can work on larger screws. Never had any luck with rubber band trick or the like on such small things.

 

[EpikJimmer]

OK i will try it out later.
Also, thank you for helping me in general, and I'm very sorry for turning off my brain most of the time.

 

[EpikJimmer]

I tried what you said, didnt work.
Conclusion? Stripped screws. Poggers.

 

[EpikJimmer]

Aight, forget what i said above, the screws are actually smaller than i imagined.
And no they can't be stripped since i never attempted to dissasemble the console before.

So, I am screwed once again.

 

[Deleted member 194275]

Despite having 3 3DS with me, I do not own a 2DS, never touched in one tbh, so my tip is for generic small screws that may work.

Get some of those super glues, put a drop of it on a hard surface (one that you dont care if gets ugly) and soak just the tip of the screwdriver on that drop, then put the screwdriver on the screw and give 2 minutes or so to dry, then try to turn.

It will leave a mess behind, but if you manage to remove the thing, just clean both the screw and the tool with hot water. It the thing dont leave the hole tho, it will be very messy, so measure the risks before attempting.

Edit: one more thing. This small screws on nintendo devices are very low quality, and even if they are not stripped now, they will in 2 or 3 services. I do recommend you buy new ones for every service. For whatever reason the internal screws usually are fine, but the shell ones are garbage, replace those if you can source them.

 

[EpikJimmer]

That should work, but idk if I want to risk it.
ALSO, I tried dissasembling my 3ds but, same results.
Battery cover: yes
Deep screws: nop
But this time, the screwdriver couldn't even get IN the hole, i tried all 12 screws.

I guess nintendo consoles require a special screwdriver or something.

 

[Deleted member 194275]

That should work, but idk if I want to risk it.
ALSO, I tried dissasembling my 3ds but, same results.
Battery cover: yes
Deep screws: nop
But this time, the screwdriver couldn't even get IN the hole, i tried all 12 screws.

I guess nintendo consoles require a special screwdriver or something.

they do, the triwing bits, I think you were aware of that already. They're like phillips but with only 3 "legs".

Phillips are also required after you pass the triwing section

 

[KleinesSinchen]

they do, the triwing bits, I think you were aware of that already. They're like phillips but with only 3 "legs".

Phillips are also required after you pass the triwing section

Nope, not this time. No Triwing on 2|3DS. The screws have cross shaped holes.
Have a look at ifixit.com. Tools needed: Phillips #00 screwdriver (or JIS, I don't really know; just read it somewhere). Phillips screwdrivers #00 or #0 depending on the screws do work when inserted properly with a mild tap. I have opened a lot of 2|3DS consoles.

Spoiler: Nintendo and the screws

Game Boy series → Triwing (I think the very first DMG-001 are an exception)
Super Nintendo, N64, GameCube consoles → needs "Gamebit" (inverse Torx)
Game Boy (Color), (S)NES, N64 cartridges → needs "Gamebit" (inverse Torx), slightly smaller than on consoles
Game Boy Advance cartridges → Triwing
Wii(U) consoles → Mixed cross shaped (Phillips or JIS ?) and Triwing (slightly larger than on handhelds)
DS Lite → Mixed cross shaped and Triwing
DSi → Cross shaped
2|3DS → Cross shaped. Correction (see below): N2DSXL → Triwing
Switch → As far as I know they are back to Triwing once again.

Conclusion: This is so confusing that I can't describe it and it makes no sense. Like so many decisions by Nintendo.

Edit: Somebody helped me; they made quick picture of some screws.

 

[EpikJimmer]

No, I'm not talking about it's shape, I'm talking about it's size.
When I tried to unscrew those deep screws on my 3DS, this time they wouldn't even fit IN.
Sooo, the 3ds and 2ds have different screw sizes...????

Nintendo, why.

 

[KleinesSinchen]

No, I'm not talking about it's shape, I'm talking about it's size.
When I tried to unscrew those deep screws on my 3DS, this time they wouldn't even fit IN.
Sooo, the 3ds and 2ds have different screw sizes...????

Nintendo, why.

No, 2DS and 3DS have more or less the same screws (I didn't directly compare or measure them). But they both have cross shaped holes in the screw heads. Maybe the holes inside the frame are a bit deeper and more narrow so that a thick screwdriver doesn't reach the screws in a 3DS. I'll have to compare this, but am to tired right now.

Don't give up hope.

"Nintendo, why?" is nevertheless a good question. How could anyone screw up so much?

 

[EpikJimmer]

Why there must be so many screw puns.
Anyway, thanks! You've been a big help!

 

[subworx]

Haven't actually opened my New 2DS XL yet, but the back cover screws for sure are Tri-Wing, not Philips.

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Haven't actually opened my New 2DS XL yet, but the back cover screws for sure are Tri-Wing, not Philips.
View attachment 263678

Correct! I forgot this. N2DSXL has Triwing. All other models of the 3DS family don't have Triwing.
Even more confusing.

 

[EpikJimmer]

ugh. ONE time I decide to actually do something that SHOULD work...
Oh wellll, looks like I'll have to search for a screwdrvier again.
BUT anyways, thanks a lot for the help!