I just purchased used Mac mini 2014 from eBay, and the 2nd day I opened it up to finally notice that some idiot destroyed the t6 screw heads. I'm stuck could really use some wisdom here. I looked all over the Internet and it looks like there aren't many parts available for the 2014, just want some proper replacement of possible. Please help.
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Mac mini 2014 Stripped Torx t6 security screws :(
- Thread starter iJny9956
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Hi there iJny,
If you're in the UK you can source chassis screws from this website: http://www.applemacparts.co.uk/store/screw-m-1343.html
There's a bit of a leadtime on the parts for the Mac Mini (12 days) as they don't have any in stock but it should have everything you need.
Sorry for being so unhelpful iJny, I'll try to answer your question this time. There are a number of ways you can remove stripped screws. If you get something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dremel-3000...ie=UTF8&qid=1432299576&sr=8-1&keywords=Dremel
Or you can get a really thin drill and drill a small hole in the middle of it. From there it means you can push a screwdriver in and occasionally it does catch.
With regards to replacement screws, it may be best just to find the equivalent size rather than the specific torx ones. After all, they're only screws -- it'll be much easier to source crossheads of that size/shape/width. That way you're not really doing any damage and it probably makes it easier if you need to remove/upgrade anything in future.
Update: A quick look online indicates that this product is recommended, though I've never personally used it so I can't confirm how good it is. http://www.tectorius.com/products_bottled_bit_biter.html
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I'd recommend against dremeling inside your Mac. The reasons are:
1) You're likely to slip and end up bumping up against something important
2) You're going to end up giving the inside of your Mac a nice coating of metallic dust.
There are tools specifically designed to get out stripped screws. You can find them at your local hardware store. They have a kind of reverse screw at the tip that cuts into the stripped screw's head and it kind of locks in place so you can remove the screw.
1) You're likely to slip and end up bumping up against something important
2) You're going to end up giving the inside of your Mac a nice coating of metallic dust.
There are tools specifically designed to get out stripped screws. You can find them at your local hardware store. They have a kind of reverse screw at the tip that cuts into the stripped screw's head and it kind of locks in place so you can remove the screw.
Is your issue how to get them off, where to buy replacements, or both? Unless Apple is also using some proprietary thread size as well as the security torx head, I'd imagine you should be able to find a generic replacement. The trick, of course, would be figuring out the actual size of the screw once it's extracted. If you search for torx t6 screws you might find what you need.
I need to do both.
1. take it apart because i need to install ssd
2. when i put it back together i dont want to reuse the old screws
i found this on you tube, looks promising but i think it might depend on how tight the screws are to begin with. take a look.
the issue is that its the smallest torx screw (T6)
Three 4.1 mm screws - these have a special head that holds the bottom plate, not worried that these are stripped, since they are sticking out i can use a pliers
Three 1.9 mm screws these are tiny! and are flush on the surface. and of course stripped
Thanks guys for the input.
1. take it apart because i need to install ssd
2. when i put it back together i dont want to reuse the old screws
i found this on you tube, looks promising but i think it might depend on how tight the screws are to begin with. take a look.
the issue is that its the smallest torx screw (T6)
Three 4.1 mm screws - these have a special head that holds the bottom plate, not worried that these are stripped, since they are sticking out i can use a pliers
Three 1.9 mm screws these are tiny! and are flush on the surface. and of course stripped
Thanks guys for the input.
I would use eBay's buyer protection to return that Mac to the seller. They usually always side with the buyer in my experience. Not worth the hassle in my opinion. If the original owner stripped the screws imagine what he could have done to the insides of the Mac once he removed the cover.
Opening a claim with Ebay is an option, if you do so, first carefully read through the sale item's description to see if the problem was identified. Also, be careful of your dialog with the seller because Ebay will review the correspondence to determine the resolution. Was the Mac mini a really good bargain? If so, the screw removal challenge may be worthwhile, depending of course on your mechanical skill level. I have a Wiha Torx 6 security screw driver being delivered tomorrow, then i'm swapping out the spinner for a Samsung 850 Pro SSD.
I've dealt with stripped screws a lot with my other hobby (RC Cars) and dealt with steel, titanium and aluminum screws - stripped them all at some point.
I don't have access to a Mini, so I don't know what the screws look like, if you could post a pic it would help, if they look like this ..
https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/tr6.jpg?w=704&h=397
Then ..
If you feel like you can grap the screw head with a pair of pliers then that is the easiest. Small channel lock types would work well, grap and turn .. easy.
Second method would be to cut a notch in the screw head (I have used a dremel tool) and then use a flathead screwdriver to remove the screw.
Depending on how much they are stripped you could try the next biggest tool, sometimes this works good as well.
If your worried about dust, debris from the second method, you can use some masking tape to cover the exposed ports of the machine to prevent anything getting inside.
Next, I would get some normal replacement screws - probably socket/hex screws. I would stop by a hobby shop rather than a hardware store, as hobby shops have a better variety of small screws.
Something like this - http://www.amain.com/rc-cars/protek...-socket-head-cap-screws-10-ptk-h-1202/p141675
I don't have access to a Mini, so I don't know what the screws look like, if you could post a pic it would help, if they look like this ..
https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/tr6.jpg?w=704&h=397
Then ..
If you feel like you can grap the screw head with a pair of pliers then that is the easiest. Small channel lock types would work well, grap and turn .. easy.
Second method would be to cut a notch in the screw head (I have used a dremel tool) and then use a flathead screwdriver to remove the screw.
Depending on how much they are stripped you could try the next biggest tool, sometimes this works good as well.
If your worried about dust, debris from the second method, you can use some masking tape to cover the exposed ports of the machine to prevent anything getting inside.
Next, I would get some normal replacement screws - probably socket/hex screws. I would stop by a hobby shop rather than a hardware store, as hobby shops have a better variety of small screws.
Something like this - http://www.amain.com/rc-cars/protek...-socket-head-cap-screws-10-ptk-h-1202/p141675
The depth of those screws on the metal cover are less than 2mm, and as posted the 3 screws that extend for plastic cover will turn out easily with a decent set of pliers (mini channel locks or vise-grips, etc). The other 3 screws may be approached as posted. These screws turn out easily so not much of a bite on them is needed to do so.
thank you all for the reply!!! I was away this weekend.
- I got this mac at a really really good deal, cost me less than the 2012 i5.
- I don't want to upgrade anything but the SSD and possibly the PCIe blade in the future.
- I believe the seller had previously installed a ssd and then removed it to sell.
- If i cant get it to open I'll set up a return and open a case on ebay.
I did manage to find a site that sells mac parts: http://www.applecomponents.com/computers/mac-mini-late-2014/
they have all the screws I need. really expensive so might not be worth it at the end anyway.
- I got this mac at a really really good deal, cost me less than the 2012 i5.
- I don't want to upgrade anything but the SSD and possibly the PCIe blade in the future.
- I believe the seller had previously installed a ssd and then removed it to sell.
- If i cant get it to open I'll set up a return and open a case on ebay.
I did manage to find a site that sells mac parts: http://www.applecomponents.com/computers/mac-mini-late-2014/
they have all the screws I need. really expensive so might not be worth it at the end anyway.