Broke My Srcew.What do I do?
Tightened a Trigger Guard Screw on my Front-End Loader and twisted the head off flush with the hardwood stock.[:(]Now I would like some ideas to help on getting that screw out of there.
It is a screw about 3/8 inches in length and a major diameter of 1/8 inch.
1-Powder
2-Patch
3-Ball
4-Remove the Rod
5-Do Not Forget the Cap.
It is a screw about 3/8 inches in length and a major diameter of 1/8 inch.
1-Powder
2-Patch
3-Ball
4-Remove the Rod
5-Do Not Forget the Cap.
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Wow, that size is on the ragged edge even for the smallest easy out.
If you don't ahve a set go the hardware store and look at the smallest one they have and see what size pilot hole is required, if it's 1/8 or just under forget it, don't waste the money. You might want to try an autoparts store too just in case they have smaller ones (doubtful, but worth the try at this juncture).
Now if you do find an easyout that will work be very careful when you drill the pilot hole, start with a center punch as close to dead center of the broken screw as possible. Then when you drill the hole make sure that you've got the drill straight and level ... drill press would be good if you've got or have acces to one. Once the hole is drilled insert the easy out and tap it lightly w/ a hammer to set it, then with steady and downward pressure try to turn it out just like you were unscrewing it. The "T" handles work well with larger easy outs, but, I've had better success with the small ones using an adjustable wrench.
If you can't find a small enough easy out you can simply drill out the broken screw using a drill that is the proper size for threading the hole with the next large screw size, then thread it, etc.
Of course there is a simpler course of action, and maybe a safer one, take it in to a gunsmith and let them do the work. Probably $50, with luck a little less and you don't have the worry. Heck "smiths" may even have minerature easy outs ...
Hope this helps.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Is this a wood screw or a metal screw?
Sometimes if you can get a hole drilled in it relatively centered, you can grind an Allen wrench so the flats gently taper to almost a point. Cut or grind the right angle off the wrench then drive the tapered end into the hole in the screw. You can then use a vise grip on the wrench to spin out the screw.0 -
I may not be understanding the problem, if the head is wrung, why not take any other retaining screws out and remove the stock, having done this, should be able to grasp the exposed part of the screw with a pliers of some sort and simply unscrew, but, as I say, I may not be understanding the problem. 0 -
What v35 says can work. The angles of the allen wrench make a kind of spline drive when driven in. I remove screws broken off in metal by using a tiny ball shaped bob (like a rotary file, or a dentist drill) about 1/32" or smaller in diameter. I grind a slot across the screw and turn it out with a screwdriver. I have a Foredom rig. You might be able to do it with Dremel tools. If you don't have some experience doing that kind of work you stand a good chance of making a mess of things. If a screw is rusted in the thread and a screwdriver won't turn it, I drill down into the screw off-center, the new drilled hole, about 1/3 screw diameter, intersecting with the thread of the work. Then with a pointed punch I tap the screw toward the drilled hole to move it a little, then oil can get around in the threaded area. It comes out easy then. Easyouts, large or small, are for the birds in my experience. Hope this helps. 0 -
What rhmc says should work; use a Dremel tool and a cut-off disc to cut a slot in the screw shank and see if you can turn it out with a screwdriver. If that doesn't work, carefully drill small holes in the wood around the screw shank, keeping within the boundaries of the trigger guard recess, carefully remove just enough wood so you can use a tiny Visegrip pliers to grip the screw shank and unscrew it. You can then plug the oversize hole with wood and glue and drill a new pilot hole through the plug using the hole in the triggerguard as a template. Good luck! Emery
"Well done is better than well said"
Ben Franklin0 -
Allen wrench is a super idea and it gave me another idea in the same vein ... use a torx bit they have a taper and the extra splines should give more bite. And since the bits are intended for driver handles you can use that or with a wrench or vise grips you have more surface area to engage.
I've had good luck w/ easy outs when a proper hole can be drilled. Also, when using good quality "outs" the sets that a lot of discount places sell are pretty poor quality.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
I also use both the hole/Allen-wrench method and the create-a-screw-slot method for backing out the smaller screws. Works like a champ. 0 -
A left hand twist drill bit will often start a hole, then the bit will bite and spin out the screw...LH bits are not that hard to find...Just another farmboy solution...[:D]
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.0 -
Thank you all for the suggestions.I now have a couple good idea's to try.I'll first try that Dremel Cut-Off Disc.
S.Gun0 -
Applying a drop of KROIL or other penetrating oil and letting it soak overnight might help. Then attack it with the above suggestions. This assumes it isn't a wood screw. 0
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