RDA First RDA's troubles.

[Fattlestar]

I received my IGO-L and IGO-W4 today. I've never used an rda before.

Out of the five posts (two on the IGO-L, three on the IGO-W4), I've been able to back out ONE screw over the past two hours. I've mangled one screwdriver set (all of the tips of the phillips heads are deformed now from trying to back these screws out). I've only went really hard with one screw, and the head of it is starting to look a little mangled too. I can't get needlenose pliers to get purchase on any of the screws either. I tried pushing some eraser grit into the screw head to get some traction but still nothing.

Anything I can try, or any ideas? This is pretty disappointing - I thought I was going to need to practice my coiling, but apparently I need to practice unscrewing?

 

[olderthandirt]

Put em' in the freezer for a bit, then run em' under hot water. Thermal shock can work wonders in this situation.

 

[300fury]

That sucks, I have only run into a few bad screws on all the atties I have. I would send them back and explain the problem. Seems rather unlikely it's anything your doing wrong. Good luck

 

[HMav]

Lightly heat the posts while trying to turn the screw, this should get them to let go. Be careful not to melt the insulator or burn yourself.

Beyond that, needle nose vice grips perhaps?

 

[Fattlestar]

I did try temperature shock twice, but at this point at least one screw head is stripped out (not the threads, just the head of the screw). All three of my precision phillips head screwdrivers are messed up to the point of unusable, so I'll need to order some different (hopefully better quality) ones before I do anything else. I don't have any other tools around so I'm screwed I think at this point!

I appreciate the suggestions. As these were cheap RDA's I'm not sure it's worth sending them back.

 

[CrazyCory564]

Do you have small tweezers or something that have a spring that keeps them open? you could try putting both ends in to the head of the screw, and let the pressure of the spring push the ends to the edge of the head. Then turn the tweezers and hopefully the pressure is enough to hold on to the screw

 

[twgbonehead]

If your screwdrivers got mangled, that's a good indication that either the screwdrivers are too small, or they're not very good.

A good set of jewelers screwdrivers will have:
a) a large body (the part you turn with your hand)
b) A hard tip

Also:
c) You should have a bunch of different sizes, and use the LARGEST one that will fit well into the screw.

Using a screwdriver that's too small for the screw is a recipe for disaster; it will strip the screw head, and/or destroy the tip of the screwdriver. Using a screwdriver where you have to really force it is also a bad move; you want something that gives you enough leverage so you can be "forceful, yet gentle and sensitive".

I got something like this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/electronic-repair-kit-67062.html
(That's not actually what I got, but it's similar - can't find the original!)
Small bits, in a range of sizes, and a very large-diameter handle! The large handle lets you apply a good amount of force without working hard (so you still have control and feel).

The "blue screwdrivers" are only intended for your trophy case! Don't use them on your heads!!!!

 

[Fattlestar]

Do you have small tweezers or something that have a spring that keeps them open? you could try putting both ends in to the head of the screw, and let the pressure of the spring push the ends to the edge of the head. Then turn the tweezers and hopefully the pressure is enough to hold on to the screw

Tried two different tweezers. Managed to catch a little with one, but not enough. Was well worth a shot, thanks!

 

[Fattlestar]

If your screwdrivers got mangled, that's a good indication that either the screwdrivers are too small, or they're not very good.

A good set of jewelers screwdrivers will have:
a) a large body (the part you turn with your hand)
b) A hard tip

Also:
c) You should have a bunch of different sizes, and use the LARGEST one that will fit well into the screw.

Using a screwdriver that's too small for the screw is a recipe for disaster; it will strip the screw head, and/or destroy the tip of the screwdriver. Using a screwdriver where you have to really force it is also a bad move; you want something that gives you enough leverage so you can be "forceful, yet gentle and sensitive".

I got something like this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/electronic-repair-kit-67062.html
(That's not actually what I got, but it's similar - can't find the original!)
Small bits, in a range of sizes, and a very large-diameter handle! The large handle lets you apply a good amount of force without working hard (so you still have control and feel).

The "blue screwdrivers" are only intended for your trophy case! Don't use them on your heads!!!!

Thanks. Yes, I realized my screwdrivers were crap when the tips started to deform. I actually didn't get any of the little blue screwdrivers you're referencing that usually seem to come with RDA's. These two didn't come with them.