[Help] Tiny screw dilemma!

Barrow Boy

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• Oct 10, 2019

• #1

No, it's not about midget sex. I have a problem with a tiny screw on my car key remote which has become rounded due to various attempts to remove it so I can replace the battery.
Vauxhall main dealer was very useful "No sir you'll have to order a new one at £150+vat, and it will have to be programmed", so they can do one. Over £200 just because I can't replace a battery costing £8:50!!!
I've looked on YouTube and tried a couple of suggested remedies to no avail, it won't budge. I can still use the key manually so it's not the end of the world, I'd just like to get the the bloody thing working. It will probably need drilling out and a new screw fitted, but I don't have a drill bit that small or know where I would get a replacement screw.
Any ideas/help would be appreciated.

 

Mr Putdown

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Jan 26, 2004

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Christchurch

• Oct 10, 2019

• #2

 

Is it PotG?

Thrifty non-licker

Feb 20, 2017

23,370

Sussex by the Sea

• Oct 10, 2019

• #3

Portland Road. Always get a screw there.

 

Barrow Boy

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Thanks, which website is that on?
That's to Mr Putdown.

 

Dick Swiveller

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• Oct 10, 2019

• #5

What did you call me, Fletcher?

 

jackanada

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Jul 19, 2011

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Brighton

• Oct 10, 2019

• #6

Try stretching a rubber band over the top, sandwich the band firmly between screw and screwdriver and give it a go.

Replace it with a torx head after it'll be harder to find the right screwdriver but you won't strip it again

 

The Andy Naylor Fan Club

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• Oct 10, 2019

• #7

Have you tried a small elastic band? Place the rubber band over the screw and the band will fill any gaps when you use the screw driver. Failing that, perhaps use a small amount of super glue, glueing the small screw driver to the screw!

 

Barrow Boy

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jackanada said:

Try stretching a rubber band over the top, sandwich the band firmly between screw and screwdriver and give it a go.

Replace it with a torx head after it'll be harder to find the right screwdriver but you won't strip it again

Click to expand...

Tried it, didn't work.

 

Mr Putdown

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• Oct 10, 2019

• #9

Barrow Boy said:

Thanks, which website is that on?
That's to Mr Putdown.

Click to expand...

That was from Amazon but there are loads out there, just search for damaged screw extractor and then choose the right size you need.

 

Barrow Boy

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The Andy Naylor Fan Club said:

Have you tried a small elastic band? Place the rubber band over the screw and the band will fill any gaps when you use the screw driver. Failing that, perhaps use a small amount of super glue, glueing the small screw driver to the screw!

Click to expand...

Tried it but my small screwdriver wasn't man enough to move it, with either the rubber band or the super glue. I did manage to stick 2 of my fingers together though!

 

Easy 10

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Jul 5, 2003

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Location Location

• Oct 10, 2019

• #11

Are you local-ish ?

Might be worth taking it to Tica in Boundary Road, Portslade (opposite Tesco). The old fella has been there about 103 years, replaces all types of batteries in watches and other devices, he seems to have every tool going. If he can't get that thing open then no-one can.

 

The Andy Naylor Fan Club

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Right Here, Right Now

• Oct 10, 2019

• #12

Barrow Boy said:

Tried it but my small screwdriver wasn't man enough to move it, with either the rubber band or the super glue. I did manage to stick 2 of my fingers together though!

Click to expand...

 

Barrow Boy

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Easy 10 said:

Are you local-ish ?

Might be worth taking it to Tica in Boundary Road, Portslade (opposite Tesco). The old fella has been there about 103 years, replaces all types of batteries in watches and other devices, he seems to have every tool going. If he can't get that thing open then no-one can.

Click to expand...

Thanks Easy, that's just the sort of guy I need, like that chap on The Repair Shop program who repairs clocks/watches and all sorts of tiny mechanical things.
I'll mince on over and see if he can help.

 

Pretty Plnk Fairy

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• Oct 10, 2019

• #14

Barrow Boy said:

No, it's not about midget sex.

Click to expand...

Thats when i stopped reading as thought it was about guppy

Regards
DF

 

Triggaaar

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Oct 24, 2005

50,206

Goldstone

• Oct 10, 2019

• #15

Barrow Boy said:

Tried it but my small screwdriver wasn't man enough to move it, with either the rubber band or the super glue. I did manage to stick 2 of my fingers together though!

Click to expand...

I'm looking for a barrow boy to help me with building an extension. Thought I'd found my man when I saw your username, but perhaps not.

 

Barrow Boy

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Triggaaar said:

I'm looking for a barrow boy to help me with building an extension. Thought I'd found my man when I saw your username, but perhaps not.

Click to expand...

I'm 66 and knackered, the mind's willing but the body says "are you kidding", sorry.

 

Triggaaar

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Oct 24, 2005

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Goldstone

• Oct 10, 2019

• #17

Barrow Boy said:

I'm 66 and knackered, the mind's willing but the body says "are you kidding", sorry.

Click to expand...

I know what you mean. By comparison I'm sprightly, but I'm still not sure my body will appreciate what I've got planned for it (no, I don't mean for the weekend).

 

AmexRuislip

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Feb 2, 2014

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Ruislip

• Oct 10, 2019

• #18

Mr Putdown said:

View attachment 116039

Click to expand...

The nightlife in Christchurch must be a blast

 

B-right-on

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Apr 23, 2015

6,181

Shoreham Beaaaach

• Oct 10, 2019

• #19

Have you looked on eBay to see how much a replacement outer case is?

Got one for my Mrs car for a fiver as the old one had a button go. Kept the insides and the key so didn't need to be re-programmed.

 

Barrow Boy

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Easy 10 said:

Are you local-ish ?

Might be worth taking it to Tica in Boundary Road, Portslade (opposite Tesco). The old fella has been there about 103 years, replaces all types of batteries in watches and other devices, he seems to have every tool going. If he can't get that thing open then no-one can.

Click to expand...

RESULT! What a smashing guy he is, the shop's like an Aladdins cave and I wouldn't hesitate to use him again. Took him about 25 mins to get the screw out. he then changed the battery fitted a new screw and wasn't happy until I'd tried it out on the car, blokes a legend.
Thanks again for the tip Easy.