17 replies to this topic

[Dajonx]

So I was trying to open up the Rapidstrike last night, but stripped a couple of screws.  I've tried using a rubberband, but that didn't work.  Can someone please help?  The two screws are located in red circles:

 

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[Shadowslayer1924]

My only suggestion it to use a bigger screwdriver and jam it in the screw whole

[Remzak]

Try a flathead screwdriver. That always works when I have stripped screws

[shmmee]

Stripped screws are a symptom of a bigger problem. You really need to tune your screwdriver. Grab a nerf screw, sit it on the tip of your screw driver. If the screw can wobble your screwdriver is too pointy and preventing full engagement. File down the tip of your screw driver until the screw sits and holds firm. At that point your screwdriver is making full contact with the screw walls. After that you won't strip any more screws. A tuned screwdriver stands a much better chance of getting a stripped screw out. If that fails, you might need to drill the screw head off and then remove the remaining screw post with pliers once the blaster is apart.

Edited by shmmee, 20 January 2016 - 10:12 AM.

[Dajonx]

Thank you for the responses.

 

The screw near the muzzle is practically rounded (I thought I could've taken it out if I put more pressure...Ugh...).  The screw by the magazine release button is still pretty good.  

 

I'm not exactly sure how to file down a screw driver...  But that is the most likely cause of it stripping the screws.  

 

I'm also not sure how to drill the screw head off...  

[jwasko]

FYI for the future a phillips head screwdriver tends to work well in nerf screws. And a set of "jewelers" or precision scewdrivers like this can be a lifesaver:
http://www.homedepot..._-203713248-_-N
 
They're a little smaller than the average scewdrivers you have around the house.
 
Are you having trouble getting the srews out, or having trouble getting them back in? You mention a rubber band, so it sounds more like you're trying to close it back up...?
 
If you're having trouble getting the scews out (i.e. you messed up the head of the screw), try a small flathead that fits in the one slot of the philips head like Remzak said. (take out one of the the other screws and use it to find a flathead that works).
 
If you are having issues where the screws just keep spinning as you try to tighten them, then you stripped the threads on the blaster.
 
I wouldn't think that the srew at the front would cause much of an issue if you can't get it back in and tightened down.
 
The one by the magazine/clip might be an issue if you can't get it to hold the shell closed. Try this trick: with the shell open, find the part that that screw threads into (it'll be on the bottom, or right, half of the shell...aka the side not shown in that picture you posted). Put a small drop of hot glue on it, then thread the screw in. This will essential re-make the threads that you stripped.

Edit: Took too long to type that.

I'm also not sure how to drill the screw head off...

Power drill and probably a 1/8" drill bit?

Edited by jwasko, 20 January 2016 - 10:26 AM.

[Dajonx]

I'm trying to get the screws out...  I don't imagine I'll be using those two screws when I put the blaster back together.  

 

I'll try to find another flathead (the one I have on-hand is slightly too big).  

 

The screw in the front looks like it's completely stripped.  Ugh.  

[DjOnslaught]

A ph00 Phillips head should be what your looking for as far as screw drivers go. The flat head works really well in most cases, but sometimes a hex bit can work if it's rounded.

[Dajonx]

I went rummaging through the toolbox at work and found some drill bits, small flat head, and a bunch of small Philips screw drivers.  Also found a Torx screw driver (maybe I can hammer it in?)...  

 

If I did drill the screw head slowly, will the plastic threads be destroyed?

[The2ndBluesBro]

You could use a screw extractor kit; www.gearbest.com has a cheap one.

[DjOnslaught]

I went rummaging through the toolbox at work and found some drill bits, small flat head, and a bunch of small Philips screw drivers.  Also found a Torx screw driver (maybe I can hammer it in?)...  
 
If I did drill the screw head slowly, will the plastic threads be destroyed?

If you go slowly and pay attention to the feel, it's easy to figure out once the head is gone.

[Agles]

personal note on bad screws. 

my 1st ever mod on a Stampede i found in old storage locker. (thing was a mess, was pop of some sort spilled all through it)

anyhow, the screws where in really bad shape to start, ended up halfing to drill out screws. needless to say, this is a LAST resort measure. 

 

anyhow, replaced all the screws with new ones i had on hand that. 

[ruggerroo]

My advice would be to DRILL those screws out. But:

 

 this is a LAST resort measure. 

When you replace the screw (even if the threads in the drilled out hole are still there), be sure to put some type of putty to rethread it to the size of the new screw. If you are certain the other screws will hold the blaster together well enough you could even just hot glue the screw holes and paint the glue (if necessary).

Hope this helps 

[Dajonx]

Thanks everyone!  

 

I was able to take the screw by the magazine out with a flat head and drilled out the other one.  I attempted with smaller screw drivers and trying to jam the flat head to somehow grab the screw, but it didn't work.  

 

Drilling out the screw felt very refreshing...  

 

If I use a putty to rethread it, will I be able to remove the screw?  

[DjOnslaught]

Thanks everyone!  
 
I was able to take the screw by the magazine out with a flat head and drilled out the other one.  I attempted with smaller screw drivers and trying to jam the flat head to somehow grab the screw, but it didn't work.  
 
Drilling out the screw felt very refreshing...  
 
If I use a putty to rethread it, will I be able to remove the screw?  

If you only drilled off the head of the screw and didnt drill into the other half of the shell then you can just use a new screw and won't need putty or anything to rethread with.

[Dajonx]

Oh ok, thanks!

 

I still haven't removed the bottom portion of the screw.  It looks like it could take a while to remove since there's not much of the screw the needlenose can grab on to.  

[jwasko]

Oh ok, thanks!

 

I still haven't removed the bottom portion of the screw.  It looks like it could take a while to remove since there's not much of the screw the needlenose can grab on to.  

Use the needle nose to get it started, then chuck your drill directly onto the screw and back it out that way.

 

Note: That screw (at the front of the blaster) is very long, if I remember correctly.

[shandsgator8]

Use the needle nose to get it started, then chuck your drill directly onto the screw and back it out that way.

 

Note: That screw (at the front of the blaster) is very long, if I remember correctly.

 

It is.