Battery Compartment Screw Shredded-Help Please!

[Pie]

Hi there,

First time posting on here and it's a simpering, pleading beg for help!

I just purchased a '82 Ibanez fretless Roadster and it is de-lovely, but with one (murderous) problem. It can switch between active and passive mode, but the battery compartment which supplies the power for active is impossible to open as the screw holding it in place is shredded and no longer likes to get all snuggly and cosy with Phillips screwdrivers, or any screwdrivers for that matter, it simply spins. I want my active bass!

I am out of ideas. The only thing I can think of is drilling into the screw, removing it and the re-filling the hole with wood filler, but I'd really prefer NOT to do this, as I have no idea "what lies beneath". The other option is take it to a shop, but this involves more money being spent on it.

If anyone could help at all I will be eternally grateful and will send you Urban Cookie Collective-esque happy vibes via the medium of an e-thankyou!

Ta!

P

 

[Reland]

Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and let a professional handle things. A job like that probably shouldn't take long or cost much, and you'll get the peace of mind from knowing it was done right and you don't have to worry about it anymore. IF you have access to a good repair guy, that is...

 

[HeavyDuty]

Welcome to TB, Pie.

Can you get out one of the other screws to see how large in diameter and how long it is? You'll probably find you can drill out the center of the stripped screw with (say) a 1/16" drill and then use a broken stud remover to remove the screw. This one is much too large for your needs, but it illustrates what I'm talking about: http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2967904 For that matter, if the head of the screw is already heavily dished out you *may* be able to use a tool like this right now with no drilling.

A cheaper way would be to match a drill bit to the size of the messed up screw head and s-l-o-w-l-y drill the head off the shaft. Then, after you can remove the part, you can use a pair of needle-nose vise lock pliers to remove the remaining shaft of the screw.

Or, just take it to a professional!

 

[xshawnxearthx]

go to home depot and get the smallest "ez out" they have. it is going to be in the drill bit aisle. you then bang it into the screw head, and slowly un screw it. should pull the screw out with.

 

[Pilgrim]

I'm not familiar with the bass in question, so I don't know how the screw is positioned. Here are some thoughts/options:

IF the screw head sits above the surrounding material, take a Dremel tool with a very narrow abrasive wheel and simply cut a slot across the head. Then use a standard slotted-tip screwdriver to turn the screw out. You might be able to do this even if the screw is recessed, provided it's in a cover or other piece that's replaceable. In cutting the slot you would also cut the adjacent material if the screw head is recessed - so I'd only do that if the surrounding material can be sacrificed or if the cut marks don't matter.

Another thought: you may be able to drill the screw head off by using a very sharp drill bit which is almost the same diameter as the screw head, so that when the head is removed the cover falls off and the shaft of the screw remains. Grasp the shaft with vice grips or a pair of pliers with really good tips and turn it out. You have to be DEAD centered and on target with your drill to do this. You also need to leave enough of the screw shaft to grasp.