That screw is impossible to remove; my impact driver and screw extractors could not budge it. You will need to tear off the shower screen to reveal the holes underneath where the hex/allen screws are and unscrew those to remove the holder. I had to drill a hole into the shower screen and use a hook tool to bend it off.

It is the perfect opportunity for you to upgrade to the "Gaggia Tune Up Kit. IMS Precision Shower Screen, Brass Shower Holder, Silicone Gasket, Screws" on Amazon. The silicone gasket is softer than the stock rubber one, the brass holder has better heat retention and easier to clean since it won't rust or have scale buildup, and the IMS shower screen distributes the water very evenly when brewing. You will never have to remove the shower screen to clean the group head; just use a blind basket for backflushing and use some Cafiza when you need stronger cleaning.

 

Well, I've gone and rounded the shower screen screw on my Classic while trying to remove it to clean the group head.

Will any 5x8 countersunk phillips head work as a replacement? I don't really want to pay $5+shipping for the official part if I can just get one at my local hardware store.

Thanks!

No is the answer, it'll be a stainless steel, probably 304 or 316, I wouldn't put any old screw in that fits as it may well corrode or taint your coffee. Fwiw the screw in mine was an absolute bitch to get out as well, but I used the anti-drive out bits available from Snap On, they grip into the screw recess and help prevent "rounding off".
if you're buying the genuine one, I'd make up the order amount with descaled etc to get free postage, but $5 is a lot for one small screw for sure.

 

No is the answer, it'll be a stainless steel, probably 304 or 316, I wouldn't put any old screw in that fits as it may well corrode or taint your coffee. Fwiw the screw in mine was an absolute bitch to get out as well, but I used the anti-drive out bits available from Snap On, they grip into the screw recess and help prevent "rounding off".
if you're buying the genuine one, I'd make up the order amount with descaled etc to get free postage, but $5 is a lot for one small screw for sure.

It's only mild steel. I ended up getting a stainless replacement with an Allen head from eBay to replace mine.

 

When I took the shower screen off my brand new Classic for the first time (about a month into ownership) I found the screw had been cross-threaded from the factory and I couldn't get it back in. I ground off the damaged part of the thread with a Dremel in order to reassemble the machine and it's still there, but I have a replacement purchased for pennies just in case, e.g.

https://www.theespressoshop.co.uk/en/Gaggia-Shower-Screen-Screw-Stainless-Steel-M5x10mm---DI7987-5X8I/m-1986.aspx

 

As@ashcroc ; said - the best solution is a hex head countersunk screw, makes it significantly easier to remove when it gets bunged up or stuck next time!

Get a bag of five here for £1.90 inc shipping

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292281595050

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