DIY Question - Old WALL OUTLET's tiny screw is worn - How to Unscrew
March 15, 2022 12:28 AM Subscribe
All I want to do is replace the plate, but alas, the screw is so old, there's nothing the screwdriver can hold on to. How do I unscrew the plate without ruining the electrical part? Can I drill through it? What does that result in? I'd rather not have to replace the whole thing at this point but if I have no choice, will.
Response by poster: @migurski that's a good idea. I might try that. Thank you.
posted by watercarrier at 12:40 AM on March 15, 2022
posted by watercarrier at 12:40 AM on March 15, 2022
Try a magnetic screwdriver if you haven't.
If a penny or dime will fit in there, and you can do it without getting it on the plastic or in the seam... superglue the screw to a coin. (superglue GEL)
To try to crack the plastic plate, tap it (without a lot of force) in the area between the screw hole and the edge, basically the part that bubbles up. Same thing on the corners. I've broken more of these than I can count just moving furniture.
If you can't get anything very solid under the edge to lever it up, try holding dental floss or fishing line by both ends, and sliding it under the edge, and pull enough to lift it up. It might take a second person to slide something under the edge once it's lifted a little bit. (To be kind to your hands, tie the ends of the floss or line on something. I've broken pens & pencils trying this trick, and it has a tendency to slide off the ends anyway, but had better luck with a couple carabiners. I could hold on to the whole carabiner as a handle a lot easier than the pen or pencil. I've tried a butter knife and spoon, too. Butter knife tended to slip, spoon was easier, because the larger end... until the (cheap) spoon started to bend.
Oh! And one more, that honestly, I'd be tempted to try even before the edge... if possible, attempt to tighten down the screw MORE. I'm really, really excellent at cracking the plates that way... and then ones you can remove the plates, you can just switch off the circuit breaker (though you should have already, just to be on the safe side), and use a pair of plier to grab ahold of the screw and undo it. (Or, try the superglue trick. Yes, I promise it worked for me once. I've done all sorts of nutty things to not have to give up and ask someone else for help.)
posted by stormyteal at 3:17 AM on March 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
If a penny or dime will fit in there, and you can do it without getting it on the plastic or in the seam... superglue the screw to a coin. (superglue GEL)
To try to crack the plastic plate, tap it (without a lot of force) in the area between the screw hole and the edge, basically the part that bubbles up. Same thing on the corners. I've broken more of these than I can count just moving furniture.
If you can't get anything very solid under the edge to lever it up, try holding dental floss or fishing line by both ends, and sliding it under the edge, and pull enough to lift it up. It might take a second person to slide something under the edge once it's lifted a little bit. (To be kind to your hands, tie the ends of the floss or line on something. I've broken pens & pencils trying this trick, and it has a tendency to slide off the ends anyway, but had better luck with a couple carabiners. I could hold on to the whole carabiner as a handle a lot easier than the pen or pencil. I've tried a butter knife and spoon, too. Butter knife tended to slip, spoon was easier, because the larger end... until the (cheap) spoon started to bend.
Oh! And one more, that honestly, I'd be tempted to try even before the edge... if possible, attempt to tighten down the screw MORE. I'm really, really excellent at cracking the plates that way... and then ones you can remove the plates, you can just switch off the circuit breaker (though you should have already, just to be on the safe side), and use a pair of plier to grab ahold of the screw and undo it. (Or, try the superglue trick. Yes, I promise it worked for me once. I've done all sorts of nutty things to not have to give up and ask someone else for help.)
posted by stormyteal at 3:17 AM on March 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
It’s unusual for those little screws to become really stuck or for their heads to be totally smoothed off, because they require so little force to turn. Could it be that you’re using the wrong size screwdriver, and/or it’s in poor condition? A crisp, sharp, thin-bladed driver might be able to turn it if pushed firmly.
posted by jon1270 at 4:01 AM on March 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by jon1270 at 4:01 AM on March 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Could it have been painted over (just filling the slot so that it looks like it's not there)? I've seen that as well, just takes something a bit pointy to scratch out the paint filling the slot. You can accelerate the cure time of super glue with a bit of baking soda. And yeah, just breaking off the plastic until you can get a grip on it with pliers or something and replacing things...
posted by zengargoyle at 4:37 AM on March 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by zengargoyle at 4:37 AM on March 15, 2022 [5 favorites]
If you have a Dremel, you could cut a new screwdriver slot into what's left of the screw head using a steady hand and the tiny circular saw blade or the thin abrasive cutting disc. You'd inevitably cut an extension of that slot into the plastic either side of the screw as well, but if you're replacing the whole plate anyway that won't matter.
posted by flabdablet at 6:29 AM on March 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by flabdablet at 6:29 AM on March 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It’s unusual for those little screws to become really stuck or for their heads to be totally smoothed off
I'm missing a 'not' here.
It's an old wall socket; the screw has had decades to solidly set in the socket frame through oxidation, and once the first attempt at loosening it failed and damaged the slot, getting that screw out has become infinitely harder.
Breaking the face plate is easiest. Switch off the circuit breaker, and just hit it somewhere between the screw and the edge of the face plate, using a chisel(-like object) and a hammer. Gently at first to get a feel for how much force you need to break the plate without damaging the insides. It helps a lot if you can lever up the corners on that side of the plate a bit; it might even break from just the levering already.
posted by Stoneshop at 7:12 AM on March 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'm missing a 'not' here.
It's an old wall socket; the screw has had decades to solidly set in the socket frame through oxidation, and once the first attempt at loosening it failed and damaged the slot, getting that screw out has become infinitely harder.
Breaking the face plate is easiest. Switch off the circuit breaker, and just hit it somewhere between the screw and the edge of the face plate, using a chisel(-like object) and a hammer. Gently at first to get a feel for how much force you need to break the plate without damaging the insides. It helps a lot if you can lever up the corners on that side of the plate a bit; it might even break from just the levering already.
posted by Stoneshop at 7:12 AM on March 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: stoneshop: *It's an old wall socket; the screw has had decades to solidly set in the socket frame through oxidation, and once the first attempt at loosening it failed and damaged the slot, getting that screw out has become infinitely harder.*
That's probably what happened. There's virtually no slot left - and I did look.
Thank you so much everyone!
posted by watercarrier at 8:33 AM on March 15, 2022
That's probably what happened. There's virtually no slot left - and I did look.
Thank you so much everyone!
posted by watercarrier at 8:33 AM on March 15, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by migurski at 12:36 AM on March 15, 2022 [4 favorites]