I'm so ham fisted

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That I managed to snap the head off of one of the bridge plate screws on a tele while tightening it. I would usually drill it out and plug / re-drill if i did this on anything else, but want to check if anyone has used or can recomend another method?

It won't be straightforward any which way  :s
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Comments

  • Winny_PoohWinny_Pooh Frets: 7730
    edited November 2017
    Screw extractor kits. Or for diy buy hollow brass tubing just wider than the screw. Notch in some teeth at the front and pop it into your drill. 
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  • WezVWezV Frets: 16541
    I am sure we have all done it at some point.

    If it’s slightly above the wood you may get lucky with some good grips pliers or snips... get cutters are very good for getting a grip on a protruding screw before slowly turning out... sometimes a bit of heat from a soldering iron helps. 

    If if it’s not protruding, the brass tube method works well


    Once its out plugging and re- drilling is the way forward.


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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71951
    Heating it with a soldering iron works very well - make sure you get it good and hot, up to the point the wood starts to char if it won't come free before that - at least with it being covered by the bridgeplate a bit of a burn mark won't show. Even if it's flush with the surface, you should be able to get some sharp pliers or cutters onto it, it shouldn't matter if it chews up the wood a bit.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • impmannimpmann Frets: 12641
    ICBM said:
    Heating it with a soldering iron works very well - make sure you get it good and hot, up to the point the wood starts to char if it won't come free before that - at least with it being covered by the bridgeplate a bit of a burn mark won't show. Even if it's flush with the surface, you should be able to get some sharp pliers or cutters onto it, it shouldn't matter if it chews up the wood a bit.
    Thats what I'd do.

    I did see a brilliant video that I can't find right now, where the tech used a Dremel (or similar) to cut a slot in the top of the broken off screw, he then heated it with a soldering iron and then simply unscrewed it using a flatblade screwdriver.
    Never Ever Bloody Anything Ever.

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  • MrBumpMrBump Frets: 1244
    Wow!  I never knew you could get a screw extraction kit!!!
    Mark de Manbey

    Trading feedback:  http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/72424/
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  • martmart Frets: 5205
    impmann said:.
    ...
    I did see a brilliant video that I can't find right now, where the tech used a Dremel (or similar) to cut a slot in the top of the broken off screw, he then heated it with a soldering iron and then simply unscrewed it using a flatblade screwdriver.
    So do you unscrew it while the screw is still hot, or wait for it to cool down first?

    I’ve never had any success with this method so I’m wondering if I’m doing something wrong.
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  • impmannimpmann Frets: 12641
    I get the screw hot to the point where its starting to smoke and then I've been able to wind it out...


    Never Ever Bloody Anything Ever.

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  • Screw extractor kits.
    i second this. they are quite cheap and work good. if you like your guitar maybe resist going crazy improv with heat etc that could bubble your finish if you can easily avoid it.
    i am the hired assassin... the specialist. i introduce myself to you... i'm a sadist.
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  • TADodgerTADodger Frets: 211
    Thanks all - First I need to look at how far in it broke as I hung it back up in disgust last night!

    i have screw extractors but generally not impressed. I quite like the idea of cutting a slot with a Dremel and unscrewing it.
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  • RolandRoland Frets: 8590
    TADodger said:
    ... I hung it back up in disgust last night!
    Always a good policy. If something goes wrong in the workshop then walk away and have a cup of tea while you think about it.
    Tree recycler, and guitarist with  https://www.undercoversband.com/.
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