On 29 Mar 2006 02:26:52 -0800, in uk.d-i-y "Helen Mayson"
wrote:

After excitedly unpacking my new bed from Argos and avidly reading the
instructions, I've foolishly proceeded to put the wrong screw in the
headboard! Rather than the short, fat screw (apparently the 'long
screw' according to the instructions) I tried to screw in the longer,
thinner screw (just called 'screw' on the sheet). Now, despite several
attempts to get it out, it's just spinning and spinning in the hole!

The screw is a cross head and is resting in a metal barrel fixed into
the wooden headboard. Would a magnet help remove this? The screw is
recessed in the barrel about 1cm and is pretty much flush to the sides
with only a tiny gap so I can't get anything around it. It will move up
and down about half a cm, but seems to keep catching just short of
coming out!

It's really frustrating me so any help appreciated!

Try this. Turn bed base upside down. It probably has a thin cover tacked
across the bottom to stop you seeing the works inside. I would try to
unstaple a bit of this so you can see what's going on inside (use torch)
- you might have to cut it if its not stapled. Chances are there is a
cheap pressed steel nut, pressed into the head end of the base to take
your screw. That might be rotating - if so you should be able to either
hold it still with grips, or press it back into the woodwork so it
doesn't rotate.

Alternatively just tell Argos it won't assemble right and to send a
replacement. It really should be able to stand up to your minor error,
especially as the instructions are so inadequate. Basically, if it's
sold as self-assembly, it should be strong enough to stand up to your
efforts to follow the instructions, and it clearly was not. If they
argue, do a Google for "andy hall small claims court" for how to put the
frighteners on Argos.

Phil
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