# Problems with a screw **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 10, 2020, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411 "2020-06-10T22:47:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/21 "2020-06-11T17:27:36Z")
> [@robardin](#): > > I’ll come at this problem a different way - if the door is indeed detected as closed if you press it shut while operating the microwave, doesn’t that indicate that the problem may not be with the switch sensor sensitivity but the door itself? Like, it’s legitimately slightly ajar if you don’t press it shut. And the easier fix than disassembling what may be a component that is not designed to be serviceable, is to tighten the hinges on the door, or even to replace the door if you can get it as a replacement part (new or salvage). In addition (this happened to me just a few days ago), the spring that holds the door’s latch-hooks in place could be loose, the peg(s) that the spring hooks to could be broken, something along those lines. I studied [this YouTube clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaFP8JrgUlc) and SHAZAM! Unplug the microwave first! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/22 "2020-06-11T18:06:11Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > I should probably also mention that you need to make sure that this is a screw that actually needs to come out. This one is on the lower edge of the u-shaped metal top shell–definitely holding the cover on. But it was just the first one I tried–the others are all stuck too. But I’ve put off the project for now and am just going to continue to kludge it. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/23 "2020-06-11T18:09:46Z")
FWIW, the latch looks pretty similar to [this](https://model.microwavei.com/unbranded-pre-owned-microwave-door-latch-for-panasonic.html). There is no button to open the door, you just pull it open. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/24 "2020-06-11T19:09:51Z")
:: reads thread title, comes in to take a look; sees it’s \*really \*not what I thought it was, leaves :: ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/25 "2020-06-12T02:51:01Z")
Screws/bolts/fasteners, really bug me. I think every April Fools Day, they introduce another type. Try filing down the point of a Phillips driver that seems to fit best. I find some screws are shallow in the center and the point of the driver leaves it too high up for the blades to fully engage. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/26 "2020-06-12T03:18:00Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > How did you wind up with that interpretation? What I quoted clearly says using a Pozidriv screwdriver could damage a Phillips head screw. I’ve tried putting them on Phillips screws in desperate times and they never fit right, hence me finding a cite that agrees. There are many more. Pozidriv screwdrivers do not fit Phillips heads snugly and Phillips heads strip too easily to even try, IMHO. What you quoted also clearly says that \*\* using a Phillips screwdriver can damage a Pozidriv screw. \*\* The first time, I thought perhaps you had missed that. In fact, you don’t even have to parse it too closely to realize that a Phillips screwdriver is more likely to damage a Pozidriv screw than visa-versa – which is true. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/27 "2020-06-12T03:33:38Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > What you quoted also clearly says that \*\* using a Phillips screwdriver can damage a Pozidriv screw. \*\* I have no idea what your point is. Yes, it says that too. So what? > [@](#): > > The first time, I thought perhaps you had missed that. Why did you think I missed it? > [@](#): > > In fact, you don’t even have to parse it too closely to realize that a Phillips screwdriver is more likely to damage a Pozidriv screw than visa-versa – which is true. No, it says the opposite. Read it again. Here, I’ll quote it again: > [@](#): > > **Phillips screwdrivers** fit in Pozidriv screws, and can turn them. However, they are liable to slippage, and can damage the screw. > > **Pozidriv screwdrivers** , on the other hand, do not fit Phillips heads. If you try, you’ll probably fail, and you’ll probably damage your screw. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/28 "2020-06-12T03:45:22Z")
Your question I found confusing: _“You shouldn’t try pozidriv drivers because using a phillips head driver could damage your screw heads?”_ What did I write or quote that would get you to ask me that? You shouldn’t use Pozidriv screwdrivers on Phillips head screws because they “ **do not fit** Phillips heads. If you try, you’ll probably fail, and **you’ll probably damage** your screw”. You’ll “probably damage the screw” sounds worse to me than “can damage the screw”, but it’s irrelevant. I wasn’t making the point that one is better or worse than the other. My point was that using a Pozidriv screwdriver on Phillips head screw isn’t a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/29 "2020-06-12T05:44:36Z")
Did you try tightening it before loosening? Sometimes I’ve had luck that way. Some loctite can be hand released put it’s hard. Some needs to be heated to release. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/30 "2020-06-14T02:34:39Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Hard to tell from the picture. I can’t tell if the inner part of the slot is raised or not. If so, then it’s some variant of Phillips security screw. Can you take a picture from a bit of an angle so we can tell what the inside of the slot looks like? If the inside is raised and circular then it’s a Phillips pin screw, or at least that’s what I’ve always called it. Not sure of its official name. Coincidentally I was just watching a YouTube video on taking apart a Panasonic (?) microwave, since I need to replace the light bulb in mine, though I don’t consider it an urgent problem. The guy ran into the immediate problem that it had either torx screws or Phillips screws of the “security” variety with the pin that you describe. I actually have a little kit of those security screw bits that I bought because, hey, it sounded like a neat hard-to-find thing to have, and I had been frustrated by those security torx screws before. The bits for both the security torx and Phillips screws have holes in them to accommodate the pins. Anyway, if that is indeed the problem – or if the screw is stripped or whatever – the YouTube guy’s solution (not exactly elegant, but it worked) was to use a Dremel cutting tool to cut a notch in the screw, and then just use a flat-head screwdriver. As with Phillips, the key is to use the largest screwdriver that will fit. ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/31 "2020-06-14T13:18:56Z")
If you are still struggling with this, I recommend trying a Vermont American ICE Phillips head bit. It is grooved and grips the screw better than anything I’ve tried. > **[Vermont American 16402 #2 X 2" Phillips Icebit (5 Pack) - Screwdriver Socket...](https://www.amazon.com/Vermont-American-16402-Phillips-Power/dp/B00004YXBB)** > > Vermont American 16402 #2 X 2" Phillips Icebit (5 Pack) - Screwdriver Socket Bits - Amazon.com Be forewarned, I did have one of these bits shatter on a particularly tough screw. Wear gloves and don’t apply torque in a manner that will cause injury if the bit snaps. You might also try tighten-loosen-tighten-loosen…for a few times. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/32 "2020-07-20T04:35:32Z")
I see my comment about trying a Posidrive driver caused quite a stir. My thought was that the OP might have a Posidrive screw, which he was misidentifying as a Phillips. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411/33 "2020-07-20T07:18:41Z")
I might be imagining this, but I seem to recall something about a left thread being used in an application like this, presumably as a weird partial deterrent to casual unscrewing by curious people. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problems-with-a-screw/855411.md?page=1)