Removing damaged screws - any tips / tricks?

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Gordy7

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#3018598 8-Jan-2023 15:22

Looks like they may have been Torx drive screws.... 😬 They are so munted,

You can get reverse cutting drills that will drill and aid in unscrewing stubborn screws.

I don't know how good these are:

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/zoestore-13pcs-left-handed-drill-bit-set-m2-hss-titanium-nitride-coating-116-14-au-e3200/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI58fxp_S2_AIVRZJmAh3VcQRLEAQYAiABEgK4d_D_BwE

Gordy

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gzt

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#3018600 8-Jan-2023 15:24

Aluminum vs steel = a bit of electrolysis going on. Heat might help expand the joint. Drilling might be the best way, as generates heat anyway. Other than drilling and reversing, I might try or buy some vice grips fitted to the challenge first, or even pliers you might get lucky. I'd bet on drill and reverse as the best of both.

elpenguino

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#3018605 8-Jan-2023 15:36

Bung: If you drilled the heads off and then couldn't remove the rest of the screw just move the latch sideways enough for new screw holes.

Once the heads are off there is no more tension on what's left of the screw so it often gives up the fight.

Also makes it easier to apply your penetrating oil of choice.

And as you say, you can move 10/20 mm one way and cover your sins.

If a bit of some kind of grease / thread preservative is applied on the new screws it can make it easier for the next guy doing the same in 20 years time.

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Journeyman

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#3018629 8-Jan-2023 18:05

At this point I think the only option is drilling out the screws. Maybe use a cobalt bit to be on the safe side.

fearandloathing

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#3018652 8-Jan-2023 19:51

I’ve had this same issue drill the head off, then remove the remains with vice grips.

openmedia

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#3018660 8-Jan-2023 20:24

Gordy7:

Looks like they may have been Torx drive screws.... 😬 They are so munted,

You can get reverse cutting drills that will drill and aid in unscrewing stubborn screws.

I don't know how good these are:

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/zoestore-13pcs-left-handed-drill-bit-set-m2-hss-titanium-nitride-coating-116-14-au-e3200/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI58fxp_S2_AIVRZJmAh3VcQRLEAQYAiABEgK4d_D_BwE

They were size 1 square bits. I'd guess they've been in 10+ years and didn't want to budge.

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MikeAqua

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#3018866 9-Jan-2023 08:52

For dis-similar metals I've had success with the following: -

1) Get pencil flame micro-blowtorch and heat the screws

2) Extinguish the flame

3) Hit the screw with WD-40 penetrant from an aerosol

4) Get a very small flat bladed punch and use that to drive the screw around with restrained taps.

Steps (1) to (3) cause expansion, followed by rapid contraction. Because you have different metals, they will expand/contract at different rates. The rapid cooling is often enough to loosen the corrosion. The penetrating WD-40 is really impressive. I recently used to release galvanically corroded machine screw on a boat capstan that hadn't been moved in >20 years.

For Step (4) you need to hold the punch at a tangent to the screw head and at <45 degrees from horizontal. I've seen this shift some really stubborn machine screws.

Mike

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Bung

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#3018867 9-Jan-2023 09:03

You can transfer heat directly to the screw by heating something else and holding it onto the screw. Think soldering iron but more medieval.

Mehrts

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#3018877 9-Jan-2023 09:14

MikeAqua:

Steps (1) to (3) cause expansion, followed by rapid contraction. Because you have different metals, they will expand/contract at different rates. The rapid cooling is often enough to loosen the corrosion. The penetrating WD-40 is really impressive. I recently used to release galvanically corroded machine screw on a boat capstan that hadn't been moved in >20 years.

I've had great success with using CRC Penetr8 Freeze Off for any super stubborn fasteners that will not budge after applying heat. If something is really stuck, then I go straight to this product. It's a proper penetrating fluid with very low viscosity, and the low temp when sprayed really makes a difference.

MikeAqua

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#3018885 9-Jan-2023 10:09

Mehrts:

I've had great success with using CRC Penetr8 Freeze Off for any super stubborn fasteners that will not budge after applying heat. If something is really stuck, then I go straight to this product. It's a proper penetrating fluid with very low viscosity, and the low temp when sprayed really makes a difference.

That looks good!

Mike

lchiu7

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#3020573 12-Jan-2023 18:35

Well looks like I might be trying some of the tips in this thread but hopefully not :-(

Just found this broken window handle in my apartment.

But the screw heads look okay so maybe I will douse the screws liberally with WD40 before I start?

Technofreak

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#3020648 12-Jan-2023 20:47

lchiu7:

Well looks like I might be trying some of the tips in this thread but hopefully not :-(

Just found this broken window handle in my apartment.

But the screw heads look okay so maybe I will douse the screws liberally with WD40 before I start?

I'd definitely start with WD40 or equivalent.

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openmedia

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#3020673 12-Jan-2023 22:32

lchiu7:

Well looks like I might be trying some of the tips in this thread but hopefully not :-(

Just found this broken window handle in my apartment.

But the screw heads look okay so maybe I will douse the screws liberally with WD40 before I start?

LHS looks great, but RHS not so much

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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