In response to [EMAIL PROTECTED]'s message on Mar/20/2000 00:28: >Actually I do have a question. I recently bought a Duo270c, which has a loose >screen/cover on one side. Upon closer examination (and removal of the little >rounded plastic hinge cover that slides to the side), I noticed that the >metal clip that holds the hinge in place is loose, because the Torx screw >that is supposed to hold it in place broke off, leaving the screw shaft in >place (the computer, by the way, works perfectly fine). I'm looking for >suggestions on how to extract the broken screw, so that I may replace it and >hold the hinge clip in place. Is there a special tool? Or a method? Inquiring >minds (at least one) want to know... > Dan, I have used three methods for removing headless screws that are very small. I used to repair medical and aircraft instruments. Most folks don't have the little tools to do this, but you might be able to get the broaches from a watchmakers supply place and the wire drills are often at really good hardware stores. Left-hand wire drills are like hens teeth. 1. Cut a slot in the end of the imbedded shaft with a dremel cutoff tool and back the shaft out with a jewelers screwdriver. If the shaft is broken flush with the surface one often has to extend the slot into the surrounding material. A delicate touch in backing out the screw without breaking it, and a screwdriver that fits the slot well will help here. Sucess can depend on the materials of the screw and the thing its screwed into, and their expansion coefficients. 2. Drill the screw with a very small wire drill and use a jewelers broach (square shaped needle) or a tiny round file to back the screw out. 3. Drill the screw and use a left-hand wire drill to back the shaft out by hand. Sometimes a little thermal cycling will help loosen the screw, again depending on the materials. Brass screws are most easily drilled. Steel screws and stainless screws are best attacked using the slot method. John S. Current count: 4 SE/30s (working), SE 800Kx2 (relaxing), SE FDHD (working), IIsi (18/250), Performa 6400/200 (for the kids), 6100/60 (keeping track of everything else), PB 170 (daughter's school machine), Duo 280 and dock (my e-mail and accounting machine). Dead but not buried: 1 Portable (being fixed),1 SE, 1 IIx. ---------- Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net! A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables. FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml> Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400> XRouter | Share your DSL or cable modem between multiple computers! Dr. Bott | Now $199.99 <http://www.drbott.com/prod/MIH120.html> PowerBook Guy is | Click here! Everything PowerBook! | http://www.powerbookguy.com Midwest Mac Parts ][ <http://www.midwestmac.com> After-market parts for Macs. ][ 888-356-1104 ][ MacResQ Reader Specials: 2.5GB Seagate SCSI: $119, 4GB IBM SCSI: $199, Norton Util. 4.0: $29, Mac Parts, Systems & Repairs <http://www.macresq.com>
