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ContinuousWave Whaler Moderated Discussion Areas ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods Broken screw
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Author | Topic: Broken screw |
Ramhouse |
posted 10-28-2009 02:29 PM ET (US)
Time for a needed polishing. So i took off railing and a couple screws broke below the gelcoat. Any rcomendations? |
contender |
posted 10-28-2009 02:37 PM ET (US)
Push the rest of the screws in, drill out the hole, redo (patch the holes) with some glass, redrill for a new screws. If you want to get them out drill the glass, pull the screws out with pliers, (vise grip type) and repatch the holes with glass, redrill for new screws... good luck |
Ramhouse |
posted 10-28-2009 04:07 PM ET (US)
TY>>>>>that's what i was thinking....but was look'in for something easy. But on a boat nothing is easy!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Ritzyrags |
posted 10-28-2009 06:36 PM ET (US)
If you can't get a "grip" with your vise grip you will; 1- Drill three adjacent holes of minimum size surrounding the embedded screw and having done so; will give you enough clearance to get hold of the remaining part of the screw still in the gel. 2-Lock on the metal and unscrew. 3-Fill the hole with your best vinylester filler 4- carefully resurface with your repair kit as in paste or regel the area involved. 5- The important part being to precisely color match. |
TransAm |
posted 10-28-2009 06:53 PM ET (US)
If you can, tap the screws further into the substrate with a beefy nail set or like-enough depth to allow for the installation of a new screw-and fil the hole with thickened epoxy and re-tap. If the flange will cover the repair, no need to worry about color-matching. If you can't push the screw in further, use a plug-cutter with a diameter slightly larger than the sheered off screw and center it over the screw and drill the cutter in about 1/4" or so. this will remove the material around the screw leaving a nice, neat hole. Some needle-nose vice grips should be able to grab and extract the screw. Fill the hole accordingly and re-tap. |
R T M |
posted 10-28-2009 08:15 PM ET (US)
Good idea using the plug cutter, TA rich/Binkie |
Wasatch Whaler |
posted 10-29-2009 10:48 AM ET (US)
I've never been able to hold a drill steady enough to use a plug cutter without it wandering. I've always had to use a drill press to make it bore straight. The idea of using a plug cutter and have it wander all over my gelcoat is not a pretty picture, at least not to me. Here's another solution, and one that I've used with success: Get a sheet metal spot weld cutter such as this: http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=spot+weld+cutter&Submit=Go The cutter will have a spring loaded center pin. You need to center punch the shank of the broken screw. (If it has broken off in a jagged fashion you will need to grind a flat surface on it before center punching.) The spot weld cutter is like a very small diameter hole saw, roughly 3/8", and the center pin will keep it from wandering. The cutter has a shoulder on it that should prevent you from drilling too deeply (unless you really lean on it). At this point you will still need to remove the fiberglass and gel coat from the area immediately around the broken screw. (A small burr on a Dremel tool works well.) once that's done you should be able to use needle nose pliers or the small Vise Grip to grap the screws shank and remove it. The hole in the gel coat will be small enough that you should be able to confine your fiberglass/ gel coat reapir to the area underneath the rail stanchion.
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R T M |
posted 10-29-2009 08:09 PM ET (US)
Yes you can use a plug cutter to do what TA proposes. I agree is almost impossible to cut plugs from hardwood, (oak or mahogany) with out using a drill press,and you must use two hands securely on the drill, and start slowly. The hole may be a little oblong, but it will be filled by epoxy and covered anyway. If you let your grandmother do it and she uses only one hand the plug cutter will dance all over your gelcoat. rich/Binkie |
TransAm |
posted 10-29-2009 09:12 PM ET (US)
You can cut plugs from any hardwood, even IPE using the correct technique and/or the correct tool. If you have a standard plug cutter, simply use a template of thin wood, cardboard or plastic and drive the plug-cutter through it. Now you have a template to place over your work piece (tape it into place if need be) directly over the area you want to cut. Pretty simple. But an easier way, especially when cutting plugs from very hard wood (IPE, Mahogany, etc.), is to use a plug cutter with a retractable center pin that stabilized the cutter not allowing it to wobble or wander out of place. As the cutter moves further into the wood, the spring-loaded pin retracts. The plugs are also easier to remove from the cutter head than traditional plug cutters. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail& productId=299838-67702-728009.0&lpage=none These cutters work very well with only a regular drill. |
deepwater |
posted 10-30-2009 05:27 AM ET (US)
Can you just use the next larger screw?,,Drive the broken part down deeper than the length of the new screw and dip it in a sealer (not glue) and run it home,, |
R T M |
posted 10-30-2009 10:38 AM ET (US)
TA, well, that good information since my brother in law moved away with his drill press. rich?Binkie |
westcoastwhaler |
posted 10-30-2009 01:44 PM ET (US)
I would try an ez out to remove the broke screw. I had success with this on a railing mount screw that snapped off below the gelcoat on my 22' outrage. I filled with west systems and the thing is sturdy as all can be. I did notice that the reason it snapped was due to the screw being off angle to the mount. This is the reason I epoxied and re-tapped. The next larger screw is a poor idea. Yes you can use it, but it looks out of place with the other screw heads. And if you want to get the screws back to all the same size, you need to fill with epoxy and/or wood plug and start over. Why not do it right the first time? |
TransAm |
posted 10-30-2009 05:51 PM ET (US)
Don't be such a cheap bastard; go buy your own drill press, or better yet, get the 3 pack of hitachi plug-cutters for $25. |
R T M |
posted 10-30-2009 07:50 PM ET (US)
Twenty five dollars? I can buy a drill press at Harbor Freight for $25. Maybe they sell those plug cutters there, I`ll check it out LOL. rich/Binkie |
deepwater |
posted 10-30-2009 08:44 PM ET (US)
Poor idea and out of place,,, Just what the hell does that meen,,If your some kinda purest than take it to a high priced fixer and be done with it ,,The man asked for suggestions and I gave him one,,,,, Your idea ,, An ease out ,,On a screw thats ,,,,What 1/16 across and jagged ,,But drill it out ,,Just what kinda drill do you use for that,,Your a dink |
Ritzyrags |
posted 10-31-2009 08:09 AM ET (US)
Alright then; Why don't you drive it here; And I will repair this wee little problem for free. It is good to see that there will always be a few ways to do our own repairs. As long as you are happy with the results is all that counts. |
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