stuborn screws

[OH Osthaus]

I wish I could remember where I read this tip - but it came in handy.

I was trying to remove a screw that did not want to budge, and there was no way I was gong to bugger up the slot on this one.

But I remembered a gunsmithing article (may have been in Shoooting Sportsman but i am not sure) that had instructions on how to remove a stuck screw

NOW - for this method - you need to absolutely remember three things


UNPLUG YOUR DRILL PRESS

FIT THE SLOTTED BIT TO THE SCREW HEAD EXACTLY

UNPLUG YOUR DRILL PRESS

so - I took a bit from my Brownells set and ground the width and length to a perfect fit to the screw slot.

then, after padding the action with leather I placed it firmly in the drill press vice making sure the screw head was parallel with the table. Then - locking the bit in the collet, I lowered the bit and moved the vice until the slotted bit was lined up and was fully in the screw slot.

now - I locked the vertical so that the bit could not ride out of the slot and anchored the vice so that it could not move.

did I mention - unplug the drill press --

now - using the collet as a screw driver handle - slowly but firmly rotate the bit.

I was amazed on how smoothly the screw came loose after I could not even budge it by hand.

[wayne goerres]

Nice trick I will have to remember this one.

[Angel Cruz Ortiz]

How much for a drill press???..

[Blind Dog]

Oscar Gaddy used and recommended that technique.

[charlie cleveland]

sounds like you meant to get that screw come hale or high water...charlie

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Angel Cruz

How much for a drill press???..

Well Angel- mine is a 1930's vintage cast iron Craftsman, a big one, about 25 years ago I paid some old guy who was retiring to Florida $75 for it, I had to take it apart there and was loading it up when he came out and held out a morticing attachment and asked if I had any use for it - and tossed it in as part of the deal.

And Charlie - yes - I had two important goals - get it out of where it had likely been sitting for nearly140 years and don't break it.

[Kensal Rise]

Perhaps it is not necessary to say, but it usually pays to prep the screw/threads with Kroil for a few days prior to going major in this way.

[edgarspencer]

I've been reviving, rehabbing, rebuilding and restoring antique machinery for the better part of 60 years. This is standard practice. Often times, a good tap with a ball peen hammer on the shank of the screwdriver is enuf of a shock to break them loose too.

[Double Lab]

I agree with Mr. Spencer on that technique for removing stubborn screws without the use of a drill press and I have found a solution of acetone/automatic transmission fluid in a 50/50 mixture is the absolute best penetrant for just about any rusted or gunked up screw.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

I agree with Mr. Spencer on that technique for removing stubborn screws without the use of a drill press and I have found a solution of acetone/automatic transmission fluid in a 50/50 mixture is the absolute best penetrant for just about any rusted or gunked up screw.

I used to think PB Blaster was the best until I read about the Acetone/ATF mixture a few years ago. I tried it and was very surprised how well it works. You have to keep the mixture in a sealed container, to prevent evaporation.