gunsmith help!

[leatherman92]

My winchester 1200 riot broke again!!! >:(the slidearm bridge retaining screw broke of inside the bolt I think if I drill out the screw and rethread it that do the trick,but what size thread is the screw?thanks for the help!!!!!!

[Fatman]

I think there are kits that allow you to actually back broken screws and bolts out of the threads w/o having to drill and tap. Grabit is one, I believe. Not sure what sizes they work on. You may have to do a web search.

[deepwater]

Hi Leatherman, I have no idea what diameter screw you're talking about, but.. there are left hand drill bits available. start with the smallest bit you can get in the hole and they usually grab the scew and back it out. if not use an 'easy out' this is a tool that's threaded to the left and actually digs into the screw from the hole you drilled before. remember, keep it centered. if you have a center punch use it to punch the center of the broken screw so that when you do drill you don't mess up the threads. I always keep the easy out as a last resort. it can actually expand the broken peice and make it harder to get out. If you can find a left hand drill bit this is your best bet. they're actually left handed. they turn counter clockwise so don't forget to set your drill to 'lefty loosy'. I run into broken screws and studs alot at work so I have plenty of experience with this stuff. also, if you are drilling the screw will heat up, when it gets good and hot drop some bees wax in the hole and this will free it up if it's oxidized or seized at all. good luck!!

[Big Frank]

Many places sell the easy-out and left-handed drill bit packaged together. Either a single set or a few different sizes together.

[mosbear]

Here is the link to the Brownells http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=13160
Keep in mind they made out of very hard and britlle steel. They do snap. I am in the same predicament with one of the trigger adjusment screws on Rem Model5. I'll probably go to local gunsmith to fix my rifle.

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

It looks like Brownells uses right-hand drills. Not really what you want to use.

[m25operator]

The screw will probably be in the #4 to #8 range, hard to find ease outs in that small a diameter,  is any of the screw sticking out??? If so, you may be able to heat it up, I would use a soldering iron in this application, applied directly to the screw,  until it starts smoking, and if you do have some bee's wax apply it, as it will get sucked up into the threads, and help, grab the remaining, exposed piece and unscrew it. If nothing is sticking out, then drill it out as centered as possible, right hand or left hand does not matter, as you are now going to go the next size larger, not 2 or 3 sizes, but just the next, and retap the hole and install the next larger screw. I went to brownell's website and they do not give the diameter and pitch of the original screw. But you can go to several websites for the proper size drill for the next larger size, if you don't already have a chart. This is a very solvable problem, and your learning some basic smithy traits... If you don't get where you want to go, PM me and I will help.

Range members, Leatherman, is one of our youngest members, but heart and soul.

[deepwater]

I've also had some luck with drilling a hole smaller than the inside diameter of the threads (centered of course) and then using a scribe to dig out the old screw threads. this way actually saves the female side and you can reuse these threads. also look into 'helicoil' this is a good system as well, but don't know if they make them in this small of a thread. as far as making easy outs that small, yes they make them, but I still think that should be a last resort. If there's a Grainger outlet near you check them out. they've got everything you could ever need to save your a$$, but they are pricey.
again, good luck, wish I was somewhere nearby, I'd come see what I could help you break. like the guys say, I've got too much time on my hands..
and remember, whatever you decide to do, PATIENCE. take your time and apply pressure a little bit at a time. you don't want to make it worse..

[leatherman92]

well I can get an easy-out at the part store,its a #1 it works on 3/32-5/32 screws ill try it and see if it works.

[deepwater]

Good luck buddy, like I said before, take your time. these tools are brittle and break easy if you try to bend them. - patience, patience, patience...