When I got this laptop I saw the screws and I was immediately worried about stripping. I’ve only taken the device apart three times and it’s happened already; now I have to go through a complicated process to take it apart.
Please get better screws, the star shape seems like a good choice in theory but it’s too fragile. Metal becomes very weak when it’s thin. I recommend replacing these with flatheads.
You can get replacement screws on the marketplace.
The star shape is torx. Torx is better than slotted, better than most other common options. Slotted cams out more, which causes damage.
But others have posted about stripping. It would be nice if Framework could release some data on the screws, force needed to strip them. As I wonder if the stripping is just from over tightening, or something else, which could maybe be improved.
I’ve taken my computer apart multiple times and the screws aren’t even close to being stripped. That being said I’m relatively gentle with screwing and unscrewing and don’t tighten my screws too much to keep the laptop closed up. IDK if it makes a big difference but I was also using the iFixit Precision Driver with a T5 bit, rather than the screwdriver that Framework gives out since I lost it a hella long time ago 
. As far as I can tell, the iFixit screwdriver lets you put more downward force on a screw when turning it, minimizing stripping.
When I used the Framework included Screwdriver I actually stripped the bit. But the screw still was completely intact. Therefore I thought that the screws might be very strong
The screws are honestly fine. Just make sure to not tighten them too much, just go until you feel the slightest resistance.
You don’t need to add downforce with torx, that’s mostly a thing with crosshead screws.
But I also found that the Framework screwdriver tip was very bad. It was slightly too small, not creating a good grip, and way too soft, stripping easily with the slightest resistance. Had no problems when using a proper Wera driver.
I know making such a tiny bit is hard, and I know the Framework screwdriver is relatively cheap, at just $7 on the marketplace, but compared to a proper screwdriver, the Framework one feels like it’s made out of chinesium.
Just ran into the same issue 
The tip of the packaged Framework screwdriver is using metal that is much softer than other brands. Not sure how much a better tip would cost, but it would make the experience more forgiving for newcomers.
With the bundled screwdriver I slipped off just one single time. The screw survived, but the screwdrivers tip clipped off. And that turned my screwdriver into a screw-destroyer, stripping everything it touches. With my other (hardened) screwdrivers from different brands, even those with inferior Phillips screws, slipping doesn’t do any damage to neither the screws nor the screwdriver.
The idea is that screwdriver should go before the screw, so using after that ? ? Imagine if it was the screw head that got damaged ~ serious issue to remove the screw. Replacing the screwdriver is easy.
The screws may be harder, but not by a lot. They will get damaged too, especially if the screwdriver has already chipped off at least once and becomes more and more slippery with further use. So after the first slip it is already cooked. Otherwise you risk your screws too.
Mine had a significant decrease of grip after I messed up just one single time. So I had to be much more careful and use way more downwards-pressure to get the screw out. But that increases the risk even further, because if you slip now, its over completely.
The image above your post, is that similar to what you experienced?
Yes. Here is mine:
I don’t want a new one from Framework. I just want them to know that softer metals may be less forgiving/beginner friendly.
Hi, sorry if “necro posting” isn’t allowed. It happened to me too. I only removed the midplate about 6-8 times tops.
I also find the screwdriver subpar and I had better luck with another screwdriver, and applying downward force despite what other comments are saying.
The female threading of screw #8 I think (near where the F5 key would be) also seems striped, the screw isn’t getting in.
Framework 16".
Framework use T5. Which from my experience with Dell, Apple, and other places, strip fast.
Much weaker than T6, at least. You can find T6 primarily on 2.5 inch HDDs. They are quite literally bulletproof. Though I had once sheared off the head of a screw, so maybe sheer strength isnt the whole story.
The framework driver is fine, but I think iFixit’s slightly better. Not sure why. The philips head is great.
I have removed a bunch of screws from a bunch of places (on my Framework) multiple times, they all hold up perfectly. Minus the two from a expansion card, which is lost rather than stripped. Though at least 3 times I am using this weird T5 allen key, which seems to be tremendously strong. Says CR-V, but I dont know if I will believe that.
You might have tightened these a bit too much. They are pretty much “two finger on the 4mm hex shaft” level of tightness. The chassis is mostly aluminum, its not steel.
-The philips screw head is pure demonic hell-spawn!-
I mean, I respect your opinion despite disagreeing strongly. 
The trouble is that Framework doesn’t seem to mention the need to tighten them lightly. When I’ve looked for mention or warning in the how-to guides, I didn’t see it.
And the otherwise very clear guides will bring more people who won’t know how tight is enough, considering the materials, size of the screw & what it’s holding.
And it feels like a decent number of people have said that the Framework supplied driver is… not the best. Including some that seem experienced and seem to have a number of alternate drivers on hand.
Combine it all, and I think it’s a legit problem. Not for everyone perhaps, but for enough. I wish FW would at least put mention in the guides that many screws only need to be lightly tight.
Well. The philips head on the framework screwdriver is great, lol. I am not saying the philips head is a great design.
Because their T5 seem to cam out from time to time for unknown reasons. Ifixit’s hold more firm.
Or maybe, they designed the T5 screwdriver with the specific intent to cam out so you cannot overtighten the screws. Most of the places involving screws indeed have them thread into the aluminum.
Of course cam out is a subpar torque-limiting mechanism than just having a torque wrench (or whatever) and the specific reason non-cam-out designs like Torx exists. But it does work.
I doubt, but this can explain the cam out with the framework driver specifically.
Do they? On the Framework 13 inch models we have:
| Screw Type | Screws Into |
|---|---|
| 5 external bottom case screws | Threaded insert mounted in plastic |
| 5 motherboard screws | Threaded insert mounted in plastic |
| 4 hinge screws mounted to the bottom case | Aluminum case  |
| 6 hinge screws mounted to the top case | Aluminum case |
| 4 screws attaching panel to case | top 2 are threaded insert mounted in plastic. Its hard to tell from the photos what the bottom 2 are. |
| 3 battery screws | threaded insert mounted in plastic |
| 1 wifi card screw | threaded insert mounted in plastic |
| 1 m.2 ssd screw | some grey metal that is attached to the motherboard |
| 5 fan+heatsink screws | some grey metal that is attached to the motherboard |
From where I sit, only the hinge screws are mounted in a durable fashion. Naturally a threaded insert mounted in plastic should be fine for something like a wifi card but I am quite disappointed that structural screws like the external case screws go into a threaded insert mounted in plastic.
I’d gladly pay double for a premium case for the framework 13 with an aluminum unibody eliminating all those plastic-mounted threaded-inserts. I don’t just want a repairable machine, I want a machine that *** lasts ***.
I do agree it’s a bit of an oversight on Framework’s part that they clearly didn’t anticipate but should now be addressed in their guides. What’s considered common sense to tighten electronic screws until you feel the slightest bit of resistance is not common knowledge to the general population who are used to woodworking screws where you would tighten until you can’t physically move the screwdriver.
