What can I do about screws that just keep turning?

[Straypuft]

Forgive me for not knowing if there is a correct term for this.

I am trying to get into a Vector to disconnect pod wires, But I am stumped about 2 screws on the very rear of the base that only just keep turning and not seeming to come loose.

My reason for wanting to get at the wires is to test the individual pods to see if they work with a computer power supply that I was able to use to get the takedowns and alleys to work(2 of the pods have 3 lights in them)

I have been able to get every other screw off of this thing but I still cannot get those 2 rear screws out.

edit:

Let it be known that all I have are basic tools and a weak-powered drill

 

[HCSO249]

If you can get something fairly stiff and flat ( small flat bade screwdriver) under the edge of the screw head apply bit of pressure outward and slowly attempt to unscrew with your other driver. Apply more pressure if it still wont unscrew. Once the screw threads bit (if they do) they should unscrew normally otherwise just keep pressure on it.

 

[Straypuft]

Revisiting this issue, I cannot get a screwdriver in under the head of the screw, I even tried getting the screwdriver under the metal flap thingy that the screw was holding onto the frame, tried to loosen the screw while at the same time applying pressure to lift the screw a bit but that didnt work:

As you can see, all I have been able to do was bend the metal with the screwdriver.

I want to try to drill into the screw head hole and maybe destroy the entire head with a Dremel with drill bit, But I am afraid that it will be too loud and my apartment walls are thin or something like that, but if I were to do the Dremel thing, Do I need a drill bit designed for metal or could the supplied bit do the job?

I thought about cutting the head off with a cutting disc but it would appear that I wouldnt be able to get under the head just to do so.

When I say Dremel, I use the term loosely, I have this tool: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BYRFH8/?tag=elightbars-20
Would this be enough to cut off the head and if so, What type of bit or disc do I need to do so?

I might consider extraction pliers first before I go the loud cutting route. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006YJKAPQ/?tag=elightbars-20

 

[C17LVFD]

I would recommend just drilling the screw. Shouldn't take long and as long as your not doing this at 10pm to 8am you should be fine with the neighbors.

Seth

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

Yep, What C17LVFD said.
You can try grabbing the head of the screw with a set of pliers and seeing if you can turn and pull it out that way..

Or get a reverse drill bit and tap it out.

 

[Pete L.]

Federal Signal has a habit of using stainless steel bolts & screws.
Drilling the head might prove to be as frustrating.

 

[StEaLtH2]

Federal Signal has a habit of using stainless steel bolts & screws.
Drilling the head might prove to be as frustrating.

Nothing a new bit and wd-40 can't tackle tho....

 

[Jarred J.]

this should do the trick...

 

[Pete L.]

All kidding aside, Fed Sig also likes to press in or weld nuts on the back side of panels so the bolts have something to bite into. If a couple of those nuts came loose, you have a bigger problem.

 

[dmathieu]

Can a hole be drilled to get to the back side?

 

[StEaLtH2]

A pair of needle nose vise grips is handy to hold the bolt still for drilling, tedious work, but do able..

 

[shues]

I have had luck in using a knife or even a thick carpet-type razor blade for the method that HCSO249 suggested where a flat-blade screwdriver was too thick.

 

[HCSO249]

If you're to the point you are tearing it up, bending the snot out of things...Drill or cut the head off. Very likely the nut broke loose, as mentioned before, so cutting/grinding be easier than drilling since may just free spin on ya.

 

[Straypuft]

If you're to the point you are tearing it up, bending the snot out of things...Drill or cut the head off. Very likely the nut broke loose, as mentioned before, so cutting/grinding be easier than drilling since may just free spin on ya.

I have noticed problems with rusted u-nuts in the dome covers breaking apart making the screw impossible to remove, so this could be the case here..