Gunsmithing loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

[p5200]

I tried to loosen the sear adjust screw on my Rem. 700 vtr to adjust but, it had so much lock-tite on the threads I just managed to round the flats so I can't loosen it with the standard allen wrench. Of course, it had to be a small size 1/16". Anyone know of any methods of getting this thing loose? easy out maybe? I need to be able to re use the adjustment screw to re adjust the sear though as I'm sure I won't find a replacement screw that small. Any advice is sure welcome. Thanks!

 

[RADcustom]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

Unless you use heat, you won't move them.

I would recommend replacing the x-mark with something better/more consistent.

 

[CS223]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

An easy-out tends to flair out thin wall screws further locking them in place. You can grind off a little of the allen wrench to get a fresh section or if the screw is fubar, get a metric allen the next closer size and see if it will fit. Then heat the screw with a soldering iron, crack torch or soak the whole assy in a jar of acetone over night (providing there are no plastic parts in that trigger).

Another option is to solder the allen wrench into the screw socket.

 

[p5200]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

I've tried several wrenches with no luck and also a soldering iron. I may take the trigger assembly out and try using my 100 watt soldering gun for more heat. I can get a wrench to grab some, and if the glue was melted I could probably turn the screw out and clean everything up good before reinstalling. Thanks!

 

[jmorris]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

TIG welder, someone that knows how to use it and a small nut. Works everytime all the time.

 

[widnerkj]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

heat the screw with a soldering iron to melt the locktite, and put teflon tape between the screw and allen wrench. Works like a champ on my RC cars that I get overzealous and torque untill the screw nearly breaks

 

[RMPSTRAT]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

I've used a torx bit many times on allens that have been rounded over.

 

[Chanonry]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

bash a bigger hex key into it

cut/bash/chisel a slot into it and then bang another head into it

weld something onto it and torque out

not a time for subtlety...

 

[svt_tactical]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

I just had the same issue. I used a less sutble approach. I put a cheap allen in that fit snug, took a hand torch and held it on the allen while it was in being i didn't have a soldering iron handy. Once i saw a little smoke coming from inside I knew the glue/loctite was smoked and it broke free with a different allen.

 

[Immorteq]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

Sometimes whackin the handle of the screw driver works to break the seal a bit. Make sure it's well supported and the screwdriver bit is a tight fit and smack the head of the handle a few times very sharply with a ball peen hammer or something similar.

 

[dajudge43]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

if that doesnt work..have you tried a bigger hammer....lol

 

[Don Briere]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

You could try 5 min epoxy and glue al allen wrench into the screw and after it dries see or you can lossen the screw.

Brer Rabbit

 

[Hateca]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

It's an X-Mark, don't waste your time if that allen screw head is stripped out. Takes lots of heat to break it loose. At this point the trigger isn't worth it.

 

[Tbag]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

Chaulk it up to a never ending learning curve. You know you really wanted to replace it anyways.

 

[Ed Jacovino]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

try putting valve lapping compound on the allen wrench.The grit will give you extra bite on the screw then use the heat from a soldering iron.

 

[monteboy84]

Re: loosining a buggered hex screw that's glued?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Parga</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've used a torx bit many times on allens that have been rounded over. </div></div>

This.

-matt