Can't remove my Strat pickguard anymore... Need help..

[k o y l]

I removed all the screws but I can't remove the last one (above the neck), the "cross" (where you put the screwdriver) is too much damaged: the screwdriver can't grip at anything.

The screw is very well attached since I put some wood filer before rescrewing the last time...  :-\

If anybody has any tip or idea to try, it will be hell of a lot appreciated...

... the only thing I can't think to do now is to break the pickguard.. 

[DB]

You might be able to carefully drill the head of the screw off by starting with a small bit and moving up in size.  Just be sure to go slowly and be careful.

DB

[k o y l]

Thanks. I'll try that.

[sookwinder]

an alternate idea would be to get a very thin file or ver very thin hacksaw blade and slowly "cut" a ling groove into the head of the screw and then use a flat head screw driver to remove it

[theworkoffire]

Another way is to get a small flat head screwdriver that will just about fit into the cross and give it a few whacks with a hammer to force it into the head of the screw. Sometimes this gives you just enough purchase to unscrew it. Also, try turning it tighter too - if the screw isn't as damaged in this direction it will unstick it and might make it easier to then unscrew. Try turning the whole pickguard with the screw head too - you'll need to remove the neck etc.

The problem with drilling is you might not be able to get the screw shank out afterwards so you'll have to move the screw over when you replace - could be messy, and as you drill you are actually tightening the screw.

You can get screw extractors (do a google search) which drill the opposite way and when they get deep enough they grip and unscrew but I'm not sure they come small enough.

[Regan]

Try an "Easy Out". That's what I call them. You may have to drill a small hole in the screw. If that is possible, then the Easy Out should get it.

Regan

[k o y l]

Thanks for the tips guys. 

I removed it. 
I tried to turn the pickguard but it didn't make the screws turn.
But since the pickguard was the other way around, I've been able to put a flat head screwdriver between the guar and the body and I pulled out the screw this way.
Not subtle but it worked and it was fast.

[theworkoffire]

Good thing too - my next tip involved a chainsaw and a blowtorch 

[k o y l]

You got it from Rammstein Guitar roadie ?

[Stratelejazzuar]

Good to hear you got the screw out... but how are you gonna get it back in!!!     

[theworkoffire]

You got it from Rammstein Guitar roadie ?

How did you guess?

[img width=244 height=231]http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/ ... 9M-047.jpg[/img]

[k o y l]

That was quite easy actually...