[Help] Tiny screw dilemma!

[Barrow Boy]

No, it's not about midget sex. I have a problem with a tiny screw on my car key remote which has become rounded due to various attempts to remove it so I can replace the battery.
Vauxhall main dealer was very useful "No sir you'll have to order a new one at £150+vat, and it will have to be programmed", so they can do one. Over £200 just because I can't replace a battery costing £8:50!!!
I've looked on YouTube and tried a couple of suggested remedies to no avail, it won't budge. I can still use the key manually so it's not the end of the world, I'd just like to get the the bloody thing working. It will probably need drilling out and a new screw fitted, but I don't have a drill bit that small or know where I would get a replacement screw.
Any ideas/help would be appreciated.

 

[Mr Putdown]

 

[Is it PotG?]

Portland Road. Always get a screw there.

 

[Barrow Boy]

Thanks, which website is that on?
That's to Mr Putdown.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

What did you call me, Fletcher?

 

[jackanada]

Try stretching a rubber band over the top, sandwich the band firmly between screw and screwdriver and give it a go.

Replace it with a torx head after it'll be harder to find the right screwdriver but you won't strip it again

 

[The Andy Naylor Fan Club]

Have you tried a small elastic band? Place the rubber band over the screw and the band will fill any gaps when you use the screw driver. Failing that, perhaps use a small amount of super glue, glueing the small screw driver to the screw!

 

[Barrow Boy]

Try stretching a rubber band over the top, sandwich the band firmly between screw and screwdriver and give it a go.

Replace it with a torx head after it'll be harder to find the right screwdriver but you won't strip it again

Tried it, didn't work.

 

[Mr Putdown]

Thanks, which website is that on?
That's to Mr Putdown.

That was from Amazon but there are loads out there, just search for damaged screw extractor and then choose the right size you need.

 

[Barrow Boy]

Have you tried a small elastic band? Place the rubber band over the screw and the band will fill any gaps when you use the screw driver. Failing that, perhaps use a small amount of super glue, glueing the small screw driver to the screw!

Tried it but my small screwdriver wasn't man enough to move it, with either the rubber band or the super glue. I did manage to stick 2 of my fingers together though!

 

[Easy 10]

Are you local-ish ?

Might be worth taking it to Tica in Boundary Road, Portslade (opposite Tesco). The old fella has been there about 103 years, replaces all types of batteries in watches and other devices, he seems to have every tool going. If he can't get that thing open then no-one can.

 

[The Andy Naylor Fan Club]

Tried it but my small screwdriver wasn't man enough to move it, with either the rubber band or the super glue. I did manage to stick 2 of my fingers together though!

 

[Barrow Boy]

Are you local-ish ?

Might be worth taking it to Tica in Boundary Road, Portslade (opposite Tesco). The old fella has been there about 103 years, replaces all types of batteries in watches and other devices, he seems to have every tool going. If he can't get that thing open then no-one can.

Thanks Easy, that's just the sort of guy I need, like that chap on The Repair Shop program who repairs clocks/watches and all sorts of tiny mechanical things.
I'll mince on over and see if he can help.

 

[Pretty Plnk Fairy]

No, it's not about midget sex.

Thats when i stopped reading as thought it was about guppy

Regards
DF

 

[Triggaaar]

Tried it but my small screwdriver wasn't man enough to move it, with either the rubber band or the super glue. I did manage to stick 2 of my fingers together though!

I'm looking for a barrow boy to help me with building an extension. Thought I'd found my man when I saw your username, but perhaps not.

 

[Barrow Boy]

I'm looking for a barrow boy to help me with building an extension. Thought I'd found my man when I saw your username, but perhaps not.

I'm 66 and knackered, the mind's willing but the body says "are you kidding", sorry.

 

[Triggaaar]

I'm 66 and knackered, the mind's willing but the body says "are you kidding", sorry.

I know what you mean. By comparison I'm sprightly, but I'm still not sure my body will appreciate what I've got planned for it (no, I don't mean for the weekend).

 

[AmexRuislip]

View attachment 116039

The nightlife in Christchurch must be a blast

 

[B-right-on]

Have you looked on eBay to see how much a replacement outer case is?

Got one for my Mrs car for a fiver as the old one had a button go. Kept the insides and the key so didn't need to be re-programmed.

 

[Barrow Boy]

Are you local-ish ?

Might be worth taking it to Tica in Boundary Road, Portslade (opposite Tesco). The old fella has been there about 103 years, replaces all types of batteries in watches and other devices, he seems to have every tool going. If he can't get that thing open then no-one can.

RESULT! What a smashing guy he is, the shop's like an Aladdins cave and I wouldn't hesitate to use him again. Took him about 25 mins to get the screw out. he then changed the battery fitted a new screw and wasn't happy until I'd tried it out on the car, blokes a legend.
Thanks again for the tip Easy.