I had this happen once and was stuck because it wasn't in a place that permitted removing all the other screws and rotating the panel, so I simply drilled the screw out. It's very simple and doesn't damage the threads or panel with the flat head screws used in the K3 and subsequent Elecraft gear.
I used a drill bit the same diameter as the shaft of the screw. The cross grooves in the head hold it centered nicely. Drill slowly and suddenly the head of the screw will fall off, freeing the panel. Then you can remove the threaded screw shaft with your fingers - it will no longer be jammed (unless it was cross-threaded when it was put in). Done carefully, there is no damage to the panel or the threaded hole. Now all you need is a replacement screw. Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Phil Kane Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2011 3:45 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Overtighted Case Screw Removal? On 11/13/2011 2:06 PM, DOUGLAS ZWIEBACK wrote: > So you may need to be a bit more creative than simply rocking the side > panel 30 degrees to loosen it up (or other panels). Worst case, you > can get one of the "backwards" drill bits (no, I don't know what they > are really called) and take it out that way. I did not need to do > that. It's called an "Easy-Out" and it's a rather brute force procedure, drilling and tapping a pilot hole in the screw. I hate to do that in any screw smaller than 1/4 inch diameter! If the problem is that there isn't enough torque to loosen the screw and the screwdriver rides out of the groove(s), there are compounds (one brand is "Gitta Grip"), a paste that when applied in very small quantities to the tip of the screwdriver will keep it in the groove(s) and permit more torque to be applied to loosen a reluctant screw. A small container goes a very long way. Search for it on the 'web - it's hard to find at retail. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
