Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
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! |
#2
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
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! Can you show us a pic? -- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite |
#3
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
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! I can't quite visualise which screw you mean - but can't you lie the headboard down so this screw head is pointing downwards, and then shake it out. It obviously isn't gripping on the threads. -- Cheers, Roger ______ Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address IS valid, but not regularly monitored. |
#4
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
Hi Roger,
I've had a go at this but gravity doesn't seem to be my friend - it keeps catching on something in there! |
#5
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
Helen Mayson wrote:
Hi Roger, I've had a go at this but gravity doesn't seem to be my friend - it keeps catching on something in there! If you are hitting it from above, all you are doing is forcing it deeper into the hole. Support the bed with about 2 foot (600 mm) above ground, with the screw point up and use a soft faced hammer from underneath. If you don't have a soft faced hammer, find a piece of softwood and place it against the bed and hit that. This might just be enough to get it out. Dave |
#6
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
On 29 Mar 2006 02:26:52 -0800, "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! Hi, Try some double sided tape, sticky pad, blue tack, hot melt glue, chewing gum etc to stick the screwdriver point to the screw head, and gently pull while unscrewing. Once the thread of the screw catches on the thread in the barrel it should come out OK. If the above fails try glueing the screwdriver to the screw with a tiny bit of epoxy/Araldite or similar strong glue. cheers, Pete. |
#7
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
Pete C wrote:
On 29 Mar 2006 02:26:52 -0800, "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! Hi, Try some double sided tape, sticky pad, blue tack, hot melt glue, chewing gum etc to stick the screwdriver point to the screw head, and gently pull while unscrewing. Once the thread of the screw catches on the thread in the barrel it should come out OK. If the above fails try glueing the screwdriver to the screw with a tiny bit of epoxy/Araldite or similar strong glue. cheers, Pete. Which will all fail. ;-) -- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite |
#8
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 12:58:57 GMT, "The3rd Earl Of Derby"
wrote: Try some double sided tape, sticky pad, blue tack, hot melt glue, chewing gum etc to stick the screwdriver point to the screw head, and gently pull while unscrewing. Which will all fail. ;-) Well the 'from Argos' bit doesn't help, it looks great in the catalogue but... A few years ago I ordered a futon, when it was delivered took one look at the mattress and decided to send it back! Then ordered one off the web from a shop in Oxford which arrived the next day. Cost 50% more but better VFM. Fool me twice, I bought a couple of stools in their sale, they looked like they had a thick padded seat, but in reality were hard as rock! That said they have some good deals on power tools from time to time if you're not a label snob cheers, Pete. |
#9
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
Pete C wrote: A few years ago I ordered a futon, when it was delivered took one look at the mattress and decided to send it back! We (foolishly) bought a single bed with pull-out lower bed for my teenage son from Argos and got it at a "good" price. After a few weeks he complained that the bed "squeaked" and eventually I got round to having a look at it. Keyriiiist. The mattress rested on the base of the main bed. The base was made of cardboard - I could tear it with two hands. The cardboard was stapled on to a "frame" - a perimeter of thin wood and then THREE (yes, three) straps about an inch wide across the top, middle and bottom of the frame. I should have returned it, but instead I unpicked all the staples then beefed up the strapping with a dozen or more bits then replaced the cardboard with two sheets of 3mm hardboard. Sorted. It was a shock when I saw the pitiful state of our purchase. You aren't guaranteed to buy quality if you buy expensive, but there's more chance of buying crap by buying cheap. Mungo |
#10
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:48:10 +0100, Pete C wrote:
If the above fails try glueing the screwdriver to the screw with a tiny bit of epoxy/Araldite or similar strong glue. Isn't it funny that as soon as the huge excess of Araldite that you have mixed has gone off, you find something else to mend. -- Nigel M |
#11
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
Nigel Molesworth wrote:
Isn't it funny that as soon as the huge excess of Araldite that you have mixed has gone off, you find something else to mend. Same goes for filler.... |
#12
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
In article om
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! Superglue on the end of the screwdriver? |
#13
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
The message
from Rob Morley contains these words: Superglue on the end of the screwdriver? Nah, that'll never work. Superglue just doesn't work like that. In fact, superglue is pretty much useless for pretty much everything you might /actually want to do/. -- Skipweasel Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. |
#14
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
Guy King wrote:
The message from Rob Morley contains these words: Superglue on the end of the screwdriver? Nah, that'll never work. Superglue just doesn't work like that. In fact, superglue is pretty much useless for pretty much everything you might /actually want to do/. The key is tricking it. Put the glue on the end of your finger, then poke the screw. |
#15
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
The message
from Ian Stirling contains these words: Superglue on the end of the screwdriver? Nah, that'll never work. Superglue just doesn't work like that. In fact, superglue is pretty much useless for pretty much everything you might /actually want to do/. The key is tricking it. Put the glue on the end of your finger, then poke the screw. Then it'll just stick in the hole. -- Skipweasel Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. |
#16
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
Guy King wrote:
The message from Ian Stirling contains these words: Superglue on the end of the screwdriver? Nah, that'll never work. Superglue just doesn't work like that. In fact, superglue is pretty much useless for pretty much everything you might /actually want to do/. The key is tricking it. Put the glue on the end of your finger, then poke the screw. Then it'll just stick in the hole. Ah, but now you have an excuse to call the fire brigade, who can get it out with the jaws of life. |
#17
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
"Helen Mayson" wrote in message ps.com... 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! Presumably the screw is designed to hold 2 parts together try applying some leverage between the parts (ideally on surfaces that won't be visible from the outside) whilst at the same time undoing the screw Tony |
#18
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
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! Would the offending article look like this? http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...43981&id=84353 -- Dave The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk 01634 717930 07850 597257 |
#19
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
Yes!
I've tried the chewing gum thing and almost got loads of the stuff stuck on my new carpet, but emerged with nice minty fresh breath. |
#20
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
Helen Mayson wrote:
Yes! Now we know that, the job is easy. Using the screwdriver that you used to put it in place, gently rotate it backwards and forwards while you use a tiny screwdriver or pointer to encourage it out of the hole, by sticking it into the threaded part. When you can't move it any further out using the threaded hole, you should now be able to see the end of it that is furthest in the bed. Lever on this and it should just drop out. Dave |
#21
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
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 The uk.d-i-y FAQ is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/ The Google uk.d-i-y archive is at http://tinyurl.com/65kwq Remove NOSPAM from address to email me |
#22
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Wrong screw dilemma!
On 29 Mar 2006 02:26:52 -0800, "Helen Mayson"
wrote: Would a magnet help remove this? Superglue on a wooden skewer. You might even do it with bluetack. |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Repair a broken set screw in ball-type faucet | Home Repair | |||
Vent screw keeps falling | Home Repair | |||
How to screw in a light bulb. | Home Repair | |||
Screw Fix delivery times | UK diy | |||
imperial grub screw | UK diy |