Smowell DPV-50 Battery Cover Screw Rounded

[scs]

I just received the Smowell 50 from GearBest.  I tried to remove the screws for the battery cover but one seems to have been misaligned and it was extremely tight, I got a couple of turns on it then the screw head stripped.  I tried to get purchase on the screw with some precision screwdrivers but to no avail.  Stuck.

Any ideas guys?

GearBest are asking me to find a professional to help remove the screw but then I'll have to pay for that service.  Not so great when you consider I'm going to need a replacement screw once/if the old one is removed.

[robby]

The screw looks as if it is sitting a little proud of the cover. You could maybe cut a slot in it and get a flat screwdriver that fits well and get a better grip on it. If you dont have any luck with it, I could sort it for the cost of postage ? Probably got some screws here that would do the job as well

[buggritt]

If you don't have a dremel to cut a slot, try using the next size up allen key. Tap it in the head, and turn slowly.Another way is to superglue a key into the head, leave and turn. Keys are ten a penny.

[jackcustard]

Or elastic band in the driver slot on the screw head, then apply pressure with driver on elastic and will hopefully give it enough purchase to unscrew...

[clairea]

Get gearbest to send you another one out its not on that something new should have a screw you can't get out,

[scs]

Thank you for the replies and cheers for the offer Robby!

As advised, I got it out using a dremel to cut a slot in the head and removed with flat driver. It was stuck so fast that the head snapped off, but I managed to remove the cover then used pliers to remove the stem. I don't think I'll be getting another screw in there though so I'm stuck with a cover rattle. Still, I got it working

Let's see what Gearbest say.

Thanks again everyone, much appreciated.

[robby]

As a matter of interest, how does the other side of the cover fit into the mod? is there a ledge where you put the one end in first? scs

[buggritt]

You could help us out here scs. Can you tell what size screws they are? Still awaiting mine, but want to swap them out.

[osdset]

Apr 8, 2015 9:03:36 GMT scs said:

Thank you for the replies and cheers for the offer Robby!

As advised, I got it out using a dremel to cut a slot in the head and removed with flat driver. It was stuck so fast that the head snapped off, but I managed to remove the cover then used pliers to remove the stem. I don't think I'll be getting another screw in there though so I'm stuck with a cover rattle. Still, I got it working

Let's see what Gearbest say.

Thanks again everyone, much appreciated.

Jeez! Those screws must be as soft as a freshly laid cow pat! I'm not surprised though, I'll bet the casing is aluminium which means stainless screws would strip out the threading in no time.

My money is on droves of these getting returned, I cant see this problem going away.

[scs]

Apr 8, 2015 9:09:28 GMT robby said:

As a matter of interest, how does the other side of the cover fit into the mod? is there a ledge where you put the one end in first? scs

Yes Robby, a small nobble (nobble? lol) that slots in first then screw down the two screws.

[buggritt]

should be easy enough to replace with magnets.

[scs]

Apr 8, 2015 9:09:51 GMT buggritt said:

You could help us out here scs. Can you tell what size screws they are? Still awaiting mine, but want to swap them out.

Hi buggritt,

Errr, very small

I'm not sure how to measure the screw/no.  I don't have any gauges or anything, all I could do is use a simple tape measure but it wouldn't give you the threads per inch or whatever you would need. Apologies.

[scs]

Apr 8, 2015 9:16:30 GMT buggritt said:

should be easy enough to replace with magnets.

Could you let me know if you get around to a magnet replacement mate?  I would like to have a go myself

[buggritt]

Apr 8, 2015 9:17:51 GMT scs said:

Apr 8, 2015 9:16:30 GMT buggritt said:

should be easy enough to replace with magnets.

Could you let me know if you get around to a magnet replacement mate?  I would like to have a go myself

Will do. Got loads of tidgy magnets knocking about.

[Deleted]

Got one of these last week. Took a bit of time to remove the battery cover due to the screws being shite. Managed to get them undone after a few attempts, battery in and cover back on. Its a shame really, as the device works very, very well, but as osdset has said, looks like a fair few could be getting returned because of a few pence saved on chocolate screws.