Busted Screw- Help!

**Steamwhisperer** · 12th April 2012, 11:00 PM

Mike,
Here is what I do when it gets to this stage. Find or machine up a washer to suit the screw size. Put it where the head of the screw was and crank the welder up more than normal and weld the washer to the screw. The washer protects the surrounding area and the extra heat gives a bit of a thermal shock to break the seal/loctite. Then weld a nut to the washer and (theoretically) undo the screw.
Good luck.
Quite often once the head has broken off the screw becomes loose anyway. Quite a few people have brought this kind of thing to me and are quite shocked when I use my thumb to remove the thread.

Phil

**jack620** · 12th April 2012, 11:14 PM

Phil,
I was hoping that the screws might be loose when I attack them tomorrow. I'll sleep with my fingers crossed.

I've drilled the screws slightly below the surface of the crankcase metal so there's nothing protruding for me to weld to sadly.

**Steamwhisperer** · 12th April 2012, 11:36 PM

First off I would like to apologise for calling you Mike. It is getting late and I am getting old.
My fingers are crossed as well
Best of luck Chris.

Phil

**jackaroo** · 13th April 2012, 12:02 AM

I have done so many times as Phil for broken stud/bolt.
Put a washer then a nut over then weld the nut on. Give it a few taps with small hammer then spray CRC on. Wait for it to cool down then give it a shot.

**jack620** · 13th April 2012, 10:37 AM

No worries Phil, I've been called a lot worse.

**kwijibo99** · 13th April 2012, 03:36 PM

Is there any possibility these are left handed? (The screws not the screwdrivers

)

Alternatively give them a heat with a heat gun which should break down any locktite that might have been used.

**jack620** · 13th April 2012, 05:14 PM

Success!

One of them came out with the fingers and the other with an Ez-Out. Thanks to everyone for the help.

**Steamwhisperer** · 13th April 2012, 06:29 PM

Woo hoo. Love it when a plan comes together.

Phil

**Sterob** · 13th April 2012, 10:42 PM

Nice work Brains Trust.

**Acco** · 13th April 2012, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by jack620

Success!

One of them came out with the fingers and the other with an Ez-Out. Thanks to everyone for the help.

Good stuff Jack

In my experience with these screws, I've always had to use a screwdriver that fits really good and then give it a good heavy thud with a decent hammer or mash hammer to give the screw a good jolt.

Same with unbrako countersinks.

**RayG** · 13th April 2012, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by jack620

Success!

One of them came out with the fingers and the other with an Ez-Out. Thanks to everyone for the help.

Hi Chris,

That's a bit of bad luck...

I was starting to look forward to following your emergency EDM build...

Regards
Ray

Dave J · 14th April 2012, 02:17 AM

Great news, nothing worse than a small job turning into a totally major one.

Dave

**jack620** · 14th April 2012, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Dave J

Great news, nothing worse than a small job turning into a totally major one.

Yep, especially when you've already sold the machine in question. It feels like you're working for the new owner for free, even though he has every right to receive the machine as it was advertised. At least this time it was family.

Ray,
The EDM will have to wait for the next busted bolt/drill bit/ez-out.

Chris

**mcostello** · 16th April 2012, 01:35 AM

Do you have access to an acetylene torch? Heat may be your friend.

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