screws

[sanmich]

It's not the first time:

I start a DIY job, and I am stopped by a a screw.
It won't unscrew.
but of course, it will gladly be mared and fall in parts, making unscrewing it even less likely.

HOW??

How on earth am I supposed to prevent the problem?
I am using fairly good tools, and if it's not the exact screw size, it's really close.,,

Now, what kind of business can locally rescue that kind of mess?

Please help me not to turn everyone of my projects into a "send it to the pro as a puzzle, pay big bucks" story. Not all of them are worthy of this (to me...)

 

[Chris101]

I repaired my Ultron 35mm a year ago, and one of the internal screws did not come out, just like you are describing. I ended up using a dremmel tool to cut the head in half, so that I could grip it with pliers and forcing it out that way. I put several ugly marks on an interior surface of my lens. You can't see them from the outside, but I know they are there. 🙁

Now I know a better way. First get exactly the right screwdriver. There are many different philips head parameters, such as angle of the hole and depth, as well as the size of the cross. They make different drivers for each of them. Then assure yourself that it WILL come out. Apply slow, steady pressure using the proper driver. Do not try to "rock it" out, as that will begin the process of stripping the cross, which will just make it worse. If you suspect that someone has used LockTite (which is a BAD THING!) then you can break the bond by using a small tipped soldering iron to heat the bolt. The LockTite will break at a relative low temperature, about 250 degrees or so, easily obtainable with a solderer.

When you are reassembling, use a drop of enamel paint to lock the screw in place, not LockTite, or epoxy.

 

[sanmich]

Thanks Chris

I think getting the exact tool can indeed save lots of troubles...

Incidentaly, would you know what kind of small / local business would have a dremel tool and could handle that kind of issue?

I have solved my current problem, but still have a Nikon lens with one screw dead...

 

[planetjoe]

Screws fall out all the time, the world is an imperfect place.

Dang, it's not often you see a quote from one of the finest cult movies of all time slip by unnoticed. Bravo.

Sorry; we now return you to our regularly scheduled thread.


Cheers,
--joe.

 

[Chris101]

Thanks Chris

I think getting the exact tool can indeed save lots of troubles...

Incidentaly, would you know what kind of small / local business would have a dremel tool and could handle that kind of issue?

I have solved my current problem, but still have a Nikon lens with one screw dead...

Yer welcome Michael, but I don't know of anywhere around here that can do that kind of work. Maybe a jewelry/watch repair shop? Without seeing the exact problem, it's hard to be more specific.

 

[Bill58]

If you suspect corrosion, this product (Kroil/AeroKroil) will dissolve it: http://www.kanolabs.com/. There's no better.

Bill

 

[Chris101]

Be careful with solvents around cemented optical elements.

 

[dufffader]

After you dremel it out, opticians normally have a case full of screws small enough to replace the offending screw. I had a tiny screw fall out of my Nikkor once, and found something close enough to work there.