It is the last day of the school holidays, and I still can't get one of the neck screws out of my Polish semi thing, and it is driving me nuts as I need to be playing it Wednesday night..
It is a big slot-headed (?) screw that looking at the one that did come out, will have gone rusty. Unfortunately, the screw head is mashed, it was mashed when I got it, but is even more mashed now and it is a really shallow bit where the screwdriver should fit.
So far I have tried:
1. A big screwdriver
2. Putting a rubber band over the screwhead to try and get more grip
3. Leaving it soaked overnight in WD40
4. Hitting the screwdriver with a hammer to try and deepen the slot
5. Heating the screw with a soldering iron to try and make the hole bigger
6. Hitting the screwhead with a chisel to try and deepen the slot
And it is still laughing at me.
I would try getting pliers or grips to it, but it is at the bottom of a narrow 2cm deep trench, so no chance, and there is a small metal neck plate thing it is sat in flush as well, so it isn't like I could dig under it into the wood even.
Reading around Screw Extractor tools seem to be recommended, but Homebase didn't sell such a thing earlier today, though there are plenty on-line.
Is that my best next step or should I just drill through the fretboard and hit the bottom of the screw with a hammer?
Comments
Since you have already resorted to bashing, buy an impact driver.
If you have never seen one it is a heavy steel cylinder that takes various bits (you might have to grind down the one supplied to fit) .
Inside the block is a cam system so that when you smite it (lump hammer) it turns the bit a fraction of a turn and in general will shift almost anything. It might tear the head off the screw but then you should be able to get mole grips on the bolt.
Find a Rock Bottom type shop, just as good as Halfords for a one off job and a lot cheaper!
Dave.
Seriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
No, I tried his fork handles and I couldn't see a thing
http://www.screwfix.com/p/screw-extractor-5-piece-set/18643
Seriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself
That's what I meant about the head snapping off, you could pull the neck through it. And sorry, did not realize it was a semi ack!
Yes, try IC's drillin' but! FFS go out and buy brand new bits and spend a decent wedge on some good ones. B&D used to make a "bullit" drill bit that auto centred. Actually you should be able to find a bush or similar that will go into the hole and keep the wee drill centred. Maybe a nut with the corners filed off a bit?
Dave.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/61134/sarge/p1
Nomad
Nobody loves me but my mother... and she could be jivin' too...