Stripped Screw

Posted by Ned Smith on February 22, 2016 at 4:55am

While mounting the gimbal I stripped one of the screws.  I am very familiar with assembling plastic parts with screws but still I got it started wrong and it stripped under pressure from the supplied driver.

So what can I do about it?  The screw seems to be holding tight but there may be a problem if I have to remove the gimbal in the future.

Any suggestions?

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Replies

  • DG February 23, 2016 at 5:56pm

    Use two part epoxy putty (JB Weld etc.), work it inside the plastic threaded hole. Take the screw, wrap with teflon tape, insert into the hole. Allow the putty to cure. The screw should unscrew and the threaded hole will be stronger than before.

    • Todd Hill > DG February 25, 2016 at 7:04am

      @DG, Nice one! I have used that method myself!

    • Ned Smith > DG February 24, 2016 at 4:55am

      That tape is a great idea!

    • George Rowe > Ned Smith February 25, 2016 at 7:31am

      I have used the tape method on my 86 jeep before - it works very well.

    • DG > Ned Smith February 24, 2016 at 6:10am

      Do this procedure without the parts assembled so the excess putty that gets "squished" out of the hole can be trimmed/removed around the boss. It also ensures the screw goes deep enough after reassembly.

  • JoeBob February 23, 2016 at 3:53pm

    A drop of liquid electrical tape or hot glue on top of it will hold it in place until you're ready to peel and remove.

  • Erik Graham February 23, 2016 at 7:24am
    But at some point he will likely need to unscrew it (repairs, upgrades). Won't locktite make that impossible?
    • George Rowe > Erik Graham February 23, 2016 at 8:00am

      What is required is a product that keeps the screw from backing out due to vibration but allows removal. I would recommend calling Loctite or other suppliers of threadlocking systems. 

  • George Rowe February 22, 2016 at 8:02am

    I have used silicone rubber before on stripped screws. I use an automotive RTV on the threads.

    • George Rowe > George Rowe February 22, 2016 at 8:05am

      Loctite has a thread-locker product for small screws.

This reply was deleted.