mikemelson Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 Hi, I’ve got to remove my fridge to clean the jet as it’s not working fully on gas, an operation I’ve performed many times. But this time I’m stuck, one of the retaining screws won’t come out of the recess, I’ve tried a magnetic screwdriver & blu-tack but to no avail, the gap around the screw is to small for tweezers. The screw tightens & loosens but cannot be withdrawn from the recess. I’m thinking of inserting a hacksaw blade between the fridge & surrounding frame to cut through the bloody thing but this seems a bit drastic. The vehicle is a PVC & the jet cannot be accessed through the outside vent. Anyone out there have any ideas? I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanb Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 To advance from blue tack, you could try superglue on the end of a nail, or screwdriver bit. Rapid setting epoxy resin adhesive is also a possibility, but you may have to hold the parts together for over 5 minutes. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 Can you unscrew it until you are confident it is fully disengaged, and then work a couple of turns of fine wire, thread, or monofilament nylon, around its shank, below its head, and then try gently pulling on that while gently turning the screw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmorris Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 How strong is the magnet have you tried? If the screw is mild steel a neodymium magnet might do the business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 If the screw is self tapping it will be very hard steel, probably too hard for a hacksaw blade to cut through especially if you are unable to stop the head turning whilst you saw. Is there any access from the other side even if it means cutting or drilling a hole to get at the pointed end of the screw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKen1 Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 mikemelson - 2018-05-04 2:53 PM Hi, I’ve got to remove my fridge to clean the jet as it’s not working fully on gas, an operation I’ve performed many times. But this time I’m stuck, one of the retaining screws won’t come out of the recess, I’ve tried a magnetic screwdriver & blu-tack but to no avail, the gap around the screw is to small for tweezers. The screw tightens & loosens but cannot be withdrawn from the recess. I’m thinking of inserting a hacksaw blade between the fridge & surrounding frame to cut through the bloody thing but this seems a bit drastic. The vehicle is a PVC & the jet cannot be accessed through the outside vent. Anyone out there have any ideas? I Spigot on Wild Camping Forum has the same issue have a look there ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemelson Posted May 4, 2018 Author Share Posted May 4, 2018 BKen1 - 2018-05-04 6:22 PM mikemelson - 2018-05-04 2:53 PM Hi, I’ve got to remove my fridge to clean the jet as it’s not working fully on gas, an operation I’ve performed many times. But this time I’m stuck, one of the retaining screws won’t come out of the recess, I’ve tried a magnetic screwdriver & blu-tack but to no avail, the gap around the screw is to small for tweezers. The screw tightens & loosens but cannot be withdrawn from the recess. I’m thinking of inserting a hacksaw blade between the fridge & surrounding frame to cut through the bloody thing but this seems a bit drastic. The vehicle is a PVC & the jet cannot be accessed through the outside vent. Anyone out there have any ideas? I Spigot on Wild Camping Forum has the same issue have a look there ..... That’s me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 To me it appears a small section at the top of the thread has corroded & the remaining thread is not picking up. Are you are able to get anything behind the screw ? Often pressure applied at the screw pointed end will help to get the remaining thread to engage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebishbus Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 If you can access the screw head with a variable speed reversible electric drill, using the correct bit try spinning the screw at high speed in the undo direction .This may loosen the screw enough to remove it. Brian B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laimeduck Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 Much along the lines of previous posters:-If you have a hot glue gun - A dab of hot glue on a cocktail stick or thin dowel then press on top of recalcitrant screw maybe?Then needle nose pliers or tweezers on the dowel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek pringle Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 Hi, I have found 'end cutting' wire strippers handy for situations similar to this in the past. cheers derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemelson Posted May 5, 2018 Author Share Posted May 5, 2018 Many thanks for the input guys, Tezza on the Wildcamping forum came up with the simple & effective solution. I put a thin bladed knife between fridge & frame, pressed down on screw to engage with the threads & just unscrewed, it came out immediately. Why didn’t I think of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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