[simpits-tech] Removing stuck aircraft screws...

[MATT FORD]

Yes Dave suggested it and it worked like a charm for me

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 10, 2014, at 9:58 PM, "David C. Allen" <david at allen1.net> wrote:
> 
> Stuff used on the 737
> 
> Apex 1/4'' Phillips Hex Insert Bits With Anti-Camout Ribs. Make sure 
> you get Removal Side ACR Ribs not the Drive side ACR Ribs!!!!!!!
> 
> DEWALT 18-Volt Cordless 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) Impact Driver
> 
> 1/4" drive ratchet with a 6 Point 1/4" socket to hold the Apex 1/4'' 
> Phillips Hex Bit
> 
> C-clamp or straps to hold the ratchet & Apex 1/4'' Phillips bit 
> against the screw head
> 
> Wagner HT1000 1200-Watt Heat Gun (use with caution - FIRE)
> 
> PB Blaster 11 oz. Penetrating Catalyst Lubricant, apply and re-apply 
> then let soak for days Requires a little patience. :-)
> 
> David
> www.737FlightSim.com
> 
> 
> At 01:33 PM 5/10/2014 -0700, you wrote:
>> I am having a lot of trouble getting some of the screws out of my 
>> Sabreliner....wondering if anyone here might have some advice. I 
>> have found that many of the little machine screws on this bird are 
>> rusted/seized and seem to be nearly impossible to remove. I need to 
>> remove at least one access panel/skin piece, and one window.
>> 
>> What I've tried so far is a little screw extractor set from a local 
>> hardware store. I drill a correctly-sized hole in the stuck screw, 
>> then jam the extractor into the hole and unscrew it (iwith a power 
>> drill). This actually worked for several screws, but my biggest 
>> problem is that the screws are so hard, I keep killing drill bits! I 
>> tried "titanium" bits from Lowes, they will handle about 3 screws 
>> before they are trashed. Eventually they just snap into several pieces.......
>> 
>> The best drill bits I've tried so far are a couple of oddball SUPER 
>> hardened bits I use for gunsmith work (use them to drill out 
>> hardened steel rivets in de-mil'd AK-47s). These seem to handle 5 or 
>> 6 screws before they are dull and useless, and snap in two if I keep 
>> trying to use them,  even with cutting fluid and frequent cool-down periods.
>> 
>> An impact screw driver was recommended, but I can't find any place 
>> local that has one. I suppose I could order one online, but I'm a 
>> little nervous about removing windshield screws this way....I 
>> already see a crack in one of my side windows from (I presume) 
>> unusual stresses from the cockpit now being separated from the rest 
>> of the plane.
>> 
>> If it were only a dozen or so screws, I would just buy more bits and 
>> trash them all. But I have close to a dozen just on that one access 
>> panel, the windshield probably has a hundred or more (so far I've 
>> only managed to remove about 5 of them...).
>> 
>> To make matters worse, two of the screws in the access panel now 
>> have the remnants of a couple of those hardened drill bits stuck in them.
>> 
>> Any ideas? I don't know what to do.
>> 
>> Matt
>> _______________________________________________
>> Simpits-tech mailing list
>> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
>> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
>> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the 
>> above page.  Thanks!
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech at simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.  Thanks!