Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with screw

Cell phone repair trouble

delezzo — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:29:41 -0800

I'm trying to fix my phone. How do I deal with a very tiny, hard to get at screw with a stripped head? I'm trying to replace the glass touch screen on an LG Shine Touch using these instructions. The heads on two of the screws - one under and one beside the battery - are stripped and I can't get a purchase on them at all. I'm using the magnetic screwdriver I got with the new screen.

I have absolutely no experience with this. I've tried small amounts of sticky tack and rubber cement, but it didn't help. Should buy a slightly larger screw driver? Resort to superglue? Let me know your tips and tricks!

Thanks!

Are all Ikea cam screws and locks plastic now?

racecar — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:32:04 -0800

I just received some replacement cam screws and locks from Ikea and the locks are plastic! Are all Ikea cam locks plastic now? Alternatively, do Billy bookcases come with plastic locks now? I bought mine years ago and they were metal. Picture of what a cam screw and lock look like in case they go by some other name I don't know

DJ Screw - where to begin?

porn in the woods — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:30:37 -0800

Recent convert to DJ Screw's mind-boggling 3 'n the Mornin', Pt. 1. Pulled down the lion's share of his catalog but I'm stumped as where to go from here. Any Screw fans have a road map handy for navigating his enormous discography?

What kind of knob will thread on to this lamp control?

thebigdeadwaltz — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:15:31 -0800

What kind of knob will thread on to this lamp control? I have a really nice lamp, but it's missing a knob to turn on this triplet of lights. I'm using my fingers to carefully turn this little guy, and it's getting annoying. Where can I find a knob for this thread?

Here's what it looks like.

I want a portable, non-folding, legs-that-screw-in, table

Foam Pants — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:36:53 -0800

I want a portable, legs-that-screw-in wood table. Does anybody know what kind of hardware I need to make this happen or of a table for sale that has legs made to screw on and off frequently OR a folding leg table of wood that is truly a cut above a regular card table? I live in a place so small, a table for eating or gaming is impossible. I would like to have a card table-sized table for guests. Can't be a table where two people sit across from two people, otherwise, you could read their cards! I want a wood table top that I will hang on the wall as art (I will make the artsy-fartsy stuff). The folding leg tables I have seen are rickety and have ugly tops. I used to have this table that had special metal brackets underneath that you screwed the legs into and that would be perfect but I don't know the name what I am looking for. I know I can buy legs that are ready to screw in but I want a bracket to screw them in to. If I screw them directly into the tabletop, I will quickly ream the hole out (heehee!) as I will be dismantling the table after every use.

How do I unscrew a screw that turns freely?

bonecrusher — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:29:46 -0800

What do you do with a screw that turns freely and won't unscrew? I'm trying to replace the brake light bulb on my Audi A4, but the screw that holds the brake light assembly in place turns and turns without unscrewing. I assume that the corresponding nut is loose, or that whatever it seats into is broken, but I'm stumped.

bob vila and the like, please advise!

dublin — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:38:17 -0800

A screw that holds the wood facing facing of my silverware drawer onto the glides broke in the wood. After a long protracted battle, it ended up having to be "chiseled" out, making a big mess, and making a big crater in the facing. Good news, it is on the inside so it isn't an eyesore. Bad news, I have no idea how to fix it. I need to be able to put a screw back in - in that same spot. The crater/hole is about 1/4" deep and about 1" in diameter, and basically is as deep as the screw was drilled. I can't afford to go much deeper to grab into new wood bc it will drill into the front exposed part of the facing. My question is - can I use wood putty to fill the crater? Will that hold a screw strongly? Everything I've looked into about wood filler doesn't really address holding a screw that is used often so I'm not sure. Most talk about using a toothpick or matchstick but that won't work here because the crater is shallow and wide, and there is no hole anymore, just the crater. Handymen and women, please advise! thanks in advance!

What sort of part is this?

BlackBox — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 16:13:56 -0800

What is this metal thingy from my computer case? Pictures inside. This thing.

I just bought a computer case and it has three of these attached to the top with screws. I'm fairly certain that it's made of black anodized aluminum. The manual calls them "nipples" but a Google search doesn't reveal anything that looks similar. Is there a common name for something like this?

CPA didn't do my taxes. What now?

jnnla — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:17:37 -0800

My CPA didn't do my taxes. What's the best way to proceed? I turned my tax documents in to my CPA about 3 months ago...and after they stopped responding to emails and phone calls regarding the status of my taxes...I figured something was up. I called the IRS and they indicated that they had received nothing for me for 2009 - not even an extension. Effectively speaking...I never filed anything. My CPA screwed up big time...and they always tell me they'll "call me back." They never do, and now I know why.

How do I proceed from this point? My gut reaction is to visit my CPA and demand that they make the situation right...but that is tempered by a desire to simply retrieve all my documents from them and find another preparer. Obviously I will never do business with them again.

I am worried about IRS penalties, fees, etc. Can fees or penalties be alleviated if the CPA himself admits fault? Or am I just totally at a loss here with no real recourse?

A challenge for engineers?

Susurration — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:50:30 -0800

Can anyone identify this screw/bolt head and tell me what type of tool I need to remove it? The screw head has 5 radiating flanges/splines, with a raised central hub. It does not appear to be a (security) Torx head. Photos: bolt closup and bolt in situ. The bolt/screw in question is located in a Braun coffee grinder (model KMM30, 3045). The grinder was made in Mexico and sold in the USA.

Should I have the rod and screws removed from my broken ankle now that it's healed, or leave them in for life?

dissolvedgirl22 — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:56:12 -0800

On 11/15/09 I slipped on ice, fractured my fibula and dislocated my tibia at the ankle joint. I had ORIF surgery that night and a rod and five screws were placed. Since then the fracture has healed and I am having a hard time deciding whether my hardware should stay. My orthopedic surgeon says it's up to me if I want it removed, and recommends it if the metal "bothers" me. Sure, I'm in pain, but is it because of my inhuman parts? If I do this, it will happen in late February - I don't want to wait and miss out on having the surgery covered by workman's comp. What say ye?

Adjustable screw mount whatchamacallit.

sanka — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:31:45 -0800

I need some help identifying a fastener. I making a little DIY project where I want to use some hand adjustable screw things. The problem is I don't know what they're called. You often see them on camera tripod legs, adjustable broom handles or a variety of other places. I found this one on a curtain rod mount (with a regular screw instead of a hand adjustable thumb screw).

I'm guessing they're some variety of thumb screw, but searching that only gets me the thumb screw part, not the part it screws into. Anyone know what they're called or where I can buy some?

is my thing big enough (for general screwing)

edtut — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:53:42 -0800

will a M6 cap screw allow me to use a higher torque spec than and M5 cap screw in an application, it is important to get a good fastened seal between 3 substrates.
an M8 bolt it done up to secure two substrates.
then a third substrate is attached with two M5 cap screws that pass through all 3 parts (middle substrate has through holes).
the problem is, when the cap screws are done up, the M8 can loosen.
solution 1 is to use a spring loaded M8.
but another solution that has been discussed is to upspec the M5 fasteners, thus making the initial joint less critical.
will this allow the inc rease in torque spec that i am looking for?
i dont have access to a machineries handbook so not sure where to look.
(sorry for such a boring question)

Singin' the impact driver blues

Gordion Knott — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:51:49 -0800

My recently purchased impact driver strips the heads of screws. Is this normal? Several months back, I bought an 14.4 volt Hitachi impact driver, along with a 20-piece set of screw and drill bits.

Invariably, after driving a screw, I'm left with a few iron filings attached to the magnetic end of the bit. If I unscrew the screw several times, and drive it back in, I'm down to a screw with a gaping hole in its center--an unreusable screw.

Is this normal with impact drivers? Am I using the wrong driving technique--or attachable screw bit?

MacBook hex screws

Lucy2Times — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:58:17 -0800

What's the proper hex screwdriver to use to remove the four hex screws on the metal sleeve in a (black) MacBook hard drive? 5/64" seems the closest, but it's been a real struggle. 1.5mm is too small and 2mm seems too large.

How do you get flat tires from nails?

atlman — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 22:56:36 -0800

How do nails/screws get stuck in tires? One would think that a nail or screw or other piece of metal would be lying flat on its side on the road, so when a vehicle runs over it, how does it raise up to puncture the tire?

Even if it were sitting upright, wouldn't the vibrations of the approaching vehicle cause it to fall over?

Please help me save some $.

aherdofturtles — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:15:06 -0800

How do I go about drilling holes (for hanging things) in my flat without ruining my walls? I've got several assorted items that need to be hung up around my new flat. The walls are freshly painted (by someone I don't want to use again) and look too good to ruin this soon.

As some of the things are quite heavy (a metal clock, a large canvas, a heavy wooden thing), and my walls are concrete, I reckon I'll need a hammer drill or something electrical - as opposed to a hammer + nail.

...and one of spots that I've identified is is tiled.

I'm hopeless at DIY tasks - so I'm asking the community to keep things simple!

Bonus points for knowing where to cheaply rent suitable tools in London, UK for the day.

If it all gets too much, I'll bite the bullet and pay a professional bazillions to spend 15 minutes putting in 4 nails.

How to fix a burred laptop screw

zaebiz — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:51:27 -0800

I am trying to replace a laptop keyboard but the final screw has burred and neither the regular or precision screwdriver works. If someone suggests that I go to repairman and 50 bucks to fix this, I am likely to do serious damage to this laptop (namely by throwing it against a wall). Any ideas? The screw is a tiny, flat-headed, star-head screw. I don't care about doing damage to the outside of the case as long as I dont damage the internals. I just want this sucker out. This laptop doesn't deserve to live, let alone look pretty. (Thinkpad T42)

CarpentryFilter: What solutions, traditional or otherwise, might I employ to fix the problem of exposed points of wood screws?

chefscotticus — Tue, 29 May 2007 13:13:30 -0800

CarpentryFilter: What solutions, traditional or otherwise, might I use to fix a problem exposed points of wood screws? I've built a storage bin for the backyard with plywood, two-by-fours, and a variety of screws -- some of the screws are too long and their points have penetrated through the wood and are now have about 1/8 inch exposed.

I don't want anyone to get scratched (or worse) -- what solutions can you propose for fixing this problem?

Sony screwed me again!

chairface — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 21:57:25 -0800

Help me ScrewFilter! I have an old Sony Clie I want to open to replace the battery but Sony used evil, tiny 5 pronged tamper resistant screws. I searched for "screw" and "sony screw" and had much fun but didn't find anything helpful. The screws are sort of like Phillips screws but instead of 4 blade slots they have 5. They are tiny at 2mm across. I've considered the melted pen trick but I'm worried the plastic will get stuck. Give the small size, it might not even be possible for plastic to get enough purchase to loosen them. Vice-grips are not an option as they screws are set below the surface of the Clie.

Any idea how I can get them out and if necessary replace them?

Picture of the offensive screw here.

Upholstery "screws"?

Joleta — Wed, 24 May 2006 05:10:08 -0800

Where can I find screws to temporarily attach fabric to upholstery? (Description inside) We got tired of vacuuming cat hair from the couch, so I cut some pieces of fleece to put down where the cats like to sit. But the fleece shifts around, and I'd like to secure it somehow. I remember my mother used to use some screwlike things to keep a couch cover from shifting around, but I don't know what they're really called, and searching through upholstery supply places turned up nothing. These items had a plastic head about 3/8" diameter (possibly knurled for a better grip) with about a 5/8" twisted point coming out the bottom. They were used by gently screwing them through the covering fabric and into the fabric of the couch. Does anyone remember these things, know what they're really called, or know where I can buy a couple dozen?

I can't unscrew stuck screws from inside the ram compartment of my powerbook

semidivine — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 12:43:23 -0800

I can't unscrew stuck screws from inside the ram compartment of my powerbook... very tight space and very delicate. What can I do? I have a suspicion that an ant or two has crawled in my titanium powerbook G4 (let's not talk about the ants!) and I wanted to open it up by taking up the keyboard/track pad assembly so I can inspect it, armed with a nice spray can of air. I got instructions on how to do this from the internet, specific to my model, and everything was copacetic until I got into the ram compartment where there are two philips head screws, larger than all the other screws holding on the casing, that won't budge. I tried numerous sizes of screw drivers, including a teeny flat head that fit well but almost broke while trying to turn them. I searched already here for a solution, but they all involve measures like solvents or heat that I could not possibly use near the ram. Also using needle nose pliers or screw pliers is out because the screws are so close to the wall of the recessed ram compartment. There's also the epoxy/allen wrench trick, but I'm nervous about the tight space and epoxy going where it will mess things up. Does anybody have any experience with this? An apple technician maybe? I need help.

What does 4-40 mean when I'm looking to buy some machine screws?

anonymoose — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 23:24:17 -0800

What does 4-40 mean when I'm looking to buy some machine screws? How big is that in real units?