Replacement screws for vintages

[mishi10345]

Hi, everyone!

So, as most vintage Tama owners know, soft screws are a pretty common issue with the older models. I recently stripped a screw on my Umino really badly, and while a friend was able to get it out for me, there's only one screw holding the back in place now.

That's why I'm wondering if anyone was able to find any GOOD replacement screws for the vintage Tamas .I had the idea of bringing my Tama to a watch and jewellery repair place to see if they have any small replacement screws. I've also heard that eyeglass repair kits should have some small screws that are about the right size, but I was hoping to hear some personal stories.

Thanks!

 

[CactuarLOL]

I work in a care home so i have some experience with glasses, eyeglasses screws are mostly too small, and buying a whole set just to get a screw that may or may not fit i would not recommend.

The best source for vintage tama screws I have found is the knock-off "Dinkie Dino's" (Such as this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/49-in-1-dinkie-dino-tamagotchi-ASSORTED-COLOURS-/221133736427?pt=UK_Toys_ElectronicPets_RL&hash=item337c9909eb )

They have 5 screws on the back, one of them (the battery screw) is slightly shorter than the screws in the vintage tamas but fits perfectly, the other 4 are about 2mm longer than the original but fit perfectly. (A quick snip with a pair of pliers will get them to the right length)

As these knock-offs are super cheap (Less than £2 plus postage) and readily available I'd recommend them as replacement vintage tama screws, they are actually JIS and not phillips (the same as vintage tamas)

 

[CactuarLOL]

Also I just done some more testing to confirm my post.

I took the screws out of my vintage Tama (P2).

Screwed in the screws taken from the dinkie dino (perfect fit)

Took them out.

Put back the original P2 screws (The screws fit tightly and were still just as tight as when i unscrewed them)

So yeah, i'd say they were (apart from length) exactly the same sized screw.

 

[webster04]

The small screws that come with fingerboards work well, i have a pair of them in my vintage p1 right now to hold the battery cover on since it didn't come with any.

 

[mishi10345]

Thank you both for your answers!

webster04, would you recommend something like this?

 

[rex]

Another option might be a local jeweler / watch repairman. I got a used Mesutchi in the mail a few years back and the screws were stripped so badly I couldn't get it open. The local jeweler took out the screws and then replaced them with new screws that fit perfectly! (Also, he did it for free!)

 

[steenie]

guess i can just post this here instead of creating a new topic?

putting this out here to help people who want cheap screwdrivers that work for japanese vintages....

i got a screwdriver set from daiso (a japanese store) for under 2 bucks and they work great with the vintage japanese tama screws

(i got it before i even had my first american tama and realized they were kinda stripping my v6 screws! and then it came to me, japanese tamas + japanese screwdrivers = NO STRIPPED SCREWS hooray!)

here's what they look like, unfortunately they only have a bulk set of them >.<

https://www.daisojapan.com/p-16216-super-precision-screwdriver-6pc-set-insertion-type-10pks.aspx

 

[Eternal Mametchi Fan]

Hm, one of my P2's screws was missing so I used a screw from my old, broken v4...it was a screw deep inside that holds the chip in place, so you can't get it without breaking your Tamagotchi. You can get one from a connection that doesn't work anymore.

 

[Jirano]

https://www.tamatalk.com/IB/topic/183076-tamagtchi-p1-p2-screw-replacment-answer/