Stripped Pickup Screws

[thegummy]

One of the screws on my pickup is stripped and I want to adjust the height.

I've tried the rubber band trick, tried every screwdriver I could find, tried pliers but can't get it out.

Any tips?

[dyerseve]

Molegrips assuming you can get them on.
Otherwise a drill with a steel bit to remove the head of the stripped screw. Then undo the other screw/s, then remove the pup then use pliers or molegrips to extract the damaged screw.
Did this exact thing myself recently.

[thegummy]

[quote name='dyerseve' timestamp='1478910696' post='3172722']
Molegrips assuming you can get them on.
Otherwise a drill with a steel bit to remove the head of the stripped screw. Then undo the other screw/s, then remove the pup then use pliers or molegrips to extract the damaged screw.
Did this exact thing myself recently.
[/quote]

Thanks man. If I can't find an easier way I'll try this out.

[kodiakblair]

Try putting a soldering iron on the damaged screw head for a good few minutes.
Let it expand so it cracks any gunk. It'll be easier to remove using these.

http://www.diy.com/departments/ptx-mixed-damaged-screw-remover-set-54mm-5-pieces/702452_BQ.prd

[thegummy]

I bought some screw extractor drill bits. You're supposed to drill a hole in the screw with one end then flip it round and use the reverse thread to take out the screw but that wasn't working for me so i tried reverse drilling with the drill end and it came out! So good to have it out!

[Grangur]

I don't know the type of pup you're trying to remove, but assuming it's something like those used on a Fender bass, remove all the screws you can get out. Then pushing the pup as low as you can, get a small hacksaw on the shaft of the bad screw just below the head and cut the head off.

That will allow you to remove the pup and preserve it from damage. You can then get access to more of the shaft to be able to get a good grip with pliers or mole-grips.

[Ghost_Bass]

With a dremmel cutting bit like this


or a small file (if there's space to operate it) you can cut a straight groove all across the screw head and use a flat head screwdriver to remove the screw.

Basicly turn this


in to this

[LewisK1975]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1481045451' post='3189294']
With a dremmel cutting bit like this


or a small file (if there's space to operate it) you can cut a straight groove all across the screw head and use a flat head screwdriver to remove the screw.

Basicly turn this


in to this

[/quote]

Top Tip!