Broken Screw Extraction/Terry Farrell

[Farrell]

Geez, if I were worried about being embarrassed, I would never post to this list! These screws were going into existing (old) screw holes in the pinblock (I carved out the old tuning pin area and epoxied in a chunk of new Bolduc pinblock - all original plate holes were preserved). The one hole accidentally got filled with epoxy and I guess I did not use a big enough drill bit to drill it out. I'll try a little way next time also.

BTW, I got the screw out by drilling with a small bit all around the stub, wiggling it with a screw driver, and then clamping onto the end of it with a pair of small-tipped (ground) vice-grips. The plate hole is half-inch, so I used a half-inch bit and drilled the mess out and I will epoxy in a plug tonight. But thanks for all the good ideas. No doubt I will face this again!

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 12:53 PM
Subject: Broken Screw Extraction/Terry Farrell


> Terry,
> Oh! Oh! :-( "Stuff Happens" springs to mind. Seriously, there are "Screw
> Extractors" available from "Woodworking" Stores and Catalogues, (being a
> Catalogue Junkie, myself!<G>). These little thingees are simply a tube with
> saw teeth that can be chucked into a drill. The drill is in "reverse". I've
> only found two sizes available: size #8 screws and #10. In your case, since
> it is a #10 screw, the commercial one should do. For different sizes, I have
> made them out of tool steel dowel stock. Drill center to "just" fit around
> the screw diameter. Hand filed saw teeth. And Voila'! Be aware that the
> Commercial ones, available, are really VERY Hard/Brittle thingees, that WILL
> break, if you put side pressure or try to "force" it. DAMHIK! If one breaks,
> you've got a real MESS! I'm wondering, did you use Bee's Wax? This usually
> cuts down on the screw breakage problem. Just curious. An off-line post
> would suffice, to avoid embarassment.<G>
> Best Regards,
> Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)
> 
> Been There, Didn't Like It, So I'm Here To Stay! [G}
> 
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