Trouble getting clip screws in? No more!

S

Sharperthansticks

Joined
Sep 19, 2017
Messages
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Some clips make it extremely difficult to get your clip screw in -- at least that's how it was for me, until I discovered this little trick. Just put a dab of vaseline on the end of your bit, and it will hold the clip screw on the end until you can position it right above the clip screw hole. Without this trick it used to take me a half of an hour or more to get clip screws into "two-level" clips like the one on this Atom. By the time I'd gotten the screw past the top level of the clip, it would topple over, and there wasn't enough room to turn it over in place, so you'd have to shake it out and try again. And again. And again...

8qoJcRx.jpg
 
Good one !
There is a tool for both flat blade as well a Philip screws that one "cocks it" then presses it into the screw and it "fires" and grips the screw from inside the slot(s).
I wonder if they make one for Torx ?
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I suppose it could not get into the recess of the clip and one would have to have many for a range of torx.
Good going with the Vaseline
 
That's an interesting alternative you suggest. Never seen that gismo. I still like my idea better because it's simpler, far cheaper, and as you said, applies to all sizes of smallish screws and doesn't block the path of a tight fit.
 
It appears Wera makes micro Torx drivers with a "holding function" geometry.

https://products.wera.de/en/screwdrivers_series_kraftform_micro_2067_torx_hf.html

Torx_hf-Micro.jpg


In tight assembly or disassembly situations, for example in engine compartments, it is not possible to securely hold the screw with the hand on the screwdriver, and the screw subsequently often gets lost. Lengthy searches or the loss of the screw (with the associated danger that could bring about) are the consequence. The HF tools developed by Wera are ideal because they feature an optimised geometry of the original TORX® profile. The wedging forces resulting from the surface pressure between the drive tip and the screw profile mean that the screw is securely held on the tool!
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Rodico.. used by watchmakers. Great for lots of knife uses. It's blue play doh that holds and cleans things and doesn't stick permanently or leave residue behind.
 
blueboost said:
Rodico.. used by watchmakers. Great for lots of knife uses. It's blue play doh that holds and cleans things and doesn't stick permanently or leave residue behind.
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If you can use it for its other intended use -- cleaning parts -- sure. If you're just using it to pick up small parts, I think Vaseline is a better solution, since you don't have to send away for it, and you can literally buy a small tub of it for $1.
 
My wife got me Dr. Klick's Kit from DTC a decade ago. It has long tweezers, both bent and straight, and several dental picks with various heads. Between this kit and a bit of that sticky putty you use to hang light stuff on the wall, there is no tiny screw capable of escape.
 
Sharperthansticks said:
Some clips make it extremely difficult to get your clip screw in -- at least that's how it was for me, until I discovered this little trick. Just put a dab of vaseline on the end of your bit, and it will hold the clip screw on the end until you can position it right above the clip screw hole. Without this trick it used to take me a half of an hour or more to get clip screws into "two-level" clips like the one on this Atom. By the time I'd gotten the screw past the top level of the clip, it would topple over, and there wasn't enough room to turn it over in place, so you'd have to shake it out and try again. And again. And again...

8qoJcRx.jpg
Click to expand...
Great tip, thanks for sharing. I have a set of Wiha Magicsprings that work well with SS screws, but this should work with everything.
 
sv4 said:
Great tip, thanks for sharing. I have a set of Wiha Magicsprings that work well with SS screws, but this should work with everything.
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What is the smallest size TORX bit that utilizes the “magic spring”? Thanks!
 
tiguy7 said:
What is the smallest size TORX bit that utilizes the “magic spring”? Thanks!
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I have the "371R HM7" set, basically covers all the torx sizes I needed for my folders. T20, T15, T10, T9, T8, T7, T6. Not sure if it comes in any torx sizes smaller than a T6 though.
 
View attachment 1202185 Thanks for the reply. I use several sub-6 size TORX tools, but I would like try the larger Magic Spring sizes. In this picture, the pocket clip screws are T-4. The thumb stud screw is T-3.
 
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