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Author Topic:   Deck Screws

floater88 posted 02-07-2013 07:39 AM ET (US)
I'd like to remove my tunnel deck cover on my 1988 Revenge 20 wt to move my wires to the gunnels and route my new hydraulic hoses through. I'm fidning the screws really hard to remove. They won't even budge. Any tips on how to back out all these screws? I've tried by hand and by drill and they won't move at all. Thanks
weekendwarrior posted 02-07-2013 11:19 AM ET (US)
What are they screwed into, fiber glass or metal? Depending on that answer, I have had good luck with heat, penetrating oil and impact drivers, not necessarily in that order. For screws, especially philips head screws, the impact driver is great. Get one at sears or your favorite store, you turn it the way you want the screw to go, and while keeping some pressure you smack it with a hammer. The hammer force both holds the bit tightly in the screw, and causes the bit to rotate.
contender posted 02-07-2013 02:50 PM ET (US)
I have to agree with the impact driver, will not hurt to put some penetrating oil on the screw heads and let it soak in...
jimh posted 02-07-2013 03:06 PM ET (US)
Perhaps someone used 3M5200 as a sealant for the screws. Typically they come out rather easily--actually surprisingly easily in my experience.
floater88 posted 02-07-2013 04:18 PM ET (US)
They look like they are screwed right into fiberglass. Don't want to be smacking the deck with that impact driver for fear of cracking something. They are phillips head screws and there is no where for penetrating oil to go. I'll just keep on reefing on them and hope they work loose. Thanks guys.
DVollrath posted 02-07-2013 06:18 PM ET (US)
There are cordless electric impact drivers available. I have a Makita LXDT04CW as an example, and have used it on my boat to loosen reluctant deck screws. It works very well, and will not damage your gel coat. I use it for construction as well. If you don't want to shell out the money to buy one, you may be able to borrow or rent.
Dennis
andygere posted 02-07-2013 07:29 PM ET (US)
Screwdriver Helper or similar products really help. You put a few drops on the screw head, and it helps lock the screwdriver to the screw giving you much more turning force applied, and it reduces the risk of stripping the screw head. This stuff works! Your hardware store probably sells a similar product, but here's a link:
http://www.boatstoreusa.com/general-boating/flag-poles-mounts/ star-brite-91701-screw-driver-helper-5-oz/
floater88 posted 02-08-2013 09:24 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the tips guys.
Swellmonster posted 02-12-2013 09:55 PM ET (US)
Your fiberglass is very strong. Impact driver will most likely work
If it strips just have to drill it out. It's all easy!! Small bit at a time

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Author	Topic: Deck Screws
floater88	posted 02-07-2013 07:39 AM ET (US) I'd like to remove my tunnel deck cover on my 1988 Revenge 20 wt to move my wires to the gunnels and route my new hydraulic hoses through. I'm fidning the screws really hard to remove. They won't even budge. Any tips on how to back out all these screws? I've tried by hand and by drill and they won't move at all. Thanks
weekendwarrior	posted 02-07-2013 11:19 AM ET (US) What are they screwed into, fiber glass or metal? Depending on that answer, I have had good luck with heat, penetrating oil and impact drivers, not necessarily in that order. For screws, especially philips head screws, the impact driver is great. Get one at sears or your favorite store, you turn it the way you want the screw to go, and while keeping some pressure you smack it with a hammer. The hammer force both holds the bit tightly in the screw, and causes the bit to rotate.
contender	posted 02-07-2013 02:50 PM ET (US) I have to agree with the impact driver, will not hurt to put some penetrating oil on the screw heads and let it soak in...
jimh	posted 02-07-2013 03:06 PM ET (US) Perhaps someone used 3M5200 as a sealant for the screws. Typically they come out rather easily--actually surprisingly easily in my experience.
floater88	posted 02-07-2013 04:18 PM ET (US) They look like they are screwed right into fiberglass. Don't want to be smacking the deck with that impact driver for fear of cracking something. They are phillips head screws and there is no where for penetrating oil to go. I'll just keep on reefing on them and hope they work loose. Thanks guys.
DVollrath	posted 02-07-2013 06:18 PM ET (US) There are cordless electric impact drivers available. I have a Makita LXDT04CW as an example, and have used it on my boat to loosen reluctant deck screws. It works very well, and will not damage your gel coat. I use it for construction as well. If you don't want to shell out the money to buy one, you may be able to borrow or rent. Dennis
andygere	posted 02-07-2013 07:29 PM ET (US) Screwdriver Helper or similar products really help. You put a few drops on the screw head, and it helps lock the screwdriver to the screw giving you much more turning force applied, and it reduces the risk of stripping the screw head. This stuff works! Your hardware store probably sells a similar product, but here's a link: http://www.boatstoreusa.com/general-boating/flag-poles-mounts/ star-brite-91701-screw-driver-helper-5-oz/
floater88	posted 02-08-2013 09:24 AM ET (US) Thanks for the tips guys.
Swellmonster	posted 02-12-2013 09:55 PM ET (US) Your fiberglass is very strong. Impact driver will most likely work If it strips just have to drill it out. It's all easy!! Small bit at a time