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Does anybody know what size Phillips bits I need for the little, tiny screws on a CD ROM? Getting ready to tear down the hundred or so I've stashed and found I don't have the right one for some of them. There are at least two sizes. Really wondering if it's worth it. Looks like maybe 3 ounces of motherboard grade and a small electric motor. On the other hand, with the right tools, it wouldn't take more than a few seconds.
I haven't done them for a long time, but I think I used #1, and then had a very small phillips hand screw driver ready if I needed it. A couple flat head screwdrivers will help you pop out the plastic as well. The tray motor is held in by plastic clips most of the time, difficult at first, but gets easy after a few.
I find a pick and hook set comes in handy for these as well. Just wear gloves because you'll stab yourself sometimes.
#0 usually works for me but there are 2 Phillips types that are in my set...one looks standard and the other has 8 sides but pointed like a regular Phillips. Those screw heads seam pretty soft and if your bit doesn't seat nicely they strip.
Do you mean CD/DVD drives from computers? 99% of those have always been a #1 Phillips for me. I think it's worth my time, they only take a few seconds to pop off the cover. The board usually has some plastic tabs holding it in or screws plus a few cables. Some drives have the full board, which is very nice. Sometimes there's a small motor with two screws inside that I'll pull as well, it has a bit of brass on it. It's usually less than 30 seconds / drive. The rest is shred.
So #0 and #1 should do it. Thanks.
Very quick to break down also once your doing them. Keep a flat head nearby or something similar, helps to pry the tabs, etc. Use a cheapie flat head tho, so when your prying if it bends your not upset. I have a cheapie one that I keep handy for things like that. The quick break down makes it all worthwhile.
I enjoy cd/dvd roms, easy to do while sitting back an watching tv, movie, etc. When I work on them I wait till I have a good stack, set them next to me, an just go to town. I couldn't answer the size of the bit thing, as I just grab one till it fits. Heh. I just use cheap bits like the small Husky sets you can pick up for like 5 bucks at most places. I tend to lose mine, so I go cheap. I save the good ones for when i need them.
Sirscrapalot - If your not lost, your not found. - I dunno.
Mick if they are older drives the boards can be the size of the drive itself which adds up quickly. Also look at both sides of the board, I have found plug in ic chips on a handful and actually three boards that had gold plating on all four sides.
dont forget the brass drive screw on some of the tray motors too. They usually just pull out of it.