Broken wood screw removal.

[Retired]

Hi,

I'm doing some reglazing at the moment and having removed then replaced an opening window I thought I'd use solid brass screws to replace the rusty steel screws which I should have known better but why have it easy when I can really mess a job up; almost driven home the screw head broke away.

I needed to remove the broken screw so rather than mess the job up even more I made the drilling guide from a bit of steel seen above. The hinge was used to accurately align the screw holes; two holes were countersunk to accept the original screws the third hole was drilled at 5mm dia. Now I could screw this guide into position and very gently and carefully drill out the broken screw; a lot of care is needed otherwise a broken drill bit could join the broken screw. Using a sharp utilty knife I then made a dowel slightly larger diameter than the hole and with a spot of wood glue drove the dowel into the hole full depth; a pilot hole was then drilled and when the new steel screw was tightened I took care not to over tighten because it was now in end grain. Worked a treat . the metal drilling guide needs to be a decent thickness.

Just a quick tip because broken screws are so common and can be a real pain to remove.

Kind regards, ColinW.

 

[KenGMac]

When using brass screws I was told to
1/. Use a steel screw of [as near as possible] the same dimensions as the intended brass screw, this to cut a pilot hole + threads so the brass screw would not snap.
2/. When using the steel screw, insert and remove this screw then get as much candle wax on to the screw as possible and re-insert the steel screw.
3/. When finally driving the brass screw in as above a load of candle wax on the threads.

OK a phafff but? back in the day, brass screws were to be carefully handled, not really used all that much now??

Ken

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Many thanks for your informative and useful reply Ken it's much appreciated.

I've been around DIY for 60 years and am well aware of the dangers of brass screws breaking; I thought I was safe with this job because the original screw holes weren't too tight and the original steel screws were 7g; the brass screw was only one gauge up at 8g so I thought I'd be fine but I can get caught out as I often do.

Steel screws can also snap; this was my way out of the problem so thought it worth sharing.

Kind regards, ColinW.

 

[SandburRanch]

First there was text I'd written and now there is none. Who erased it?

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks for the information SandburRanch; I've not seen the hollow drills for quite some time. I have a set of tapered drill bits specially for drilling screw holes but I thought I was safe with this brass screw it only going into a previously used screw hole it being only one gauge thicker; anyone can get caught out; I find stainless steel screws also rather weak so take care using these.

Kind regards, Colin.