Break screw free without damage

W

wiredge

Joined
Jan 10, 2007
Messages
116
Got a RAM, mini-cyclone, and Leek OCC in the mail from my favorite web vendor this past week. Absolutely love all 3 and am driving the family nuts around the house constantly flicking them all weekend. :D
Got a very minor issue with the RAM...its pivot is a little too loose...falls readily when unlocked for very easy one hand closing ( I like that), but its a wee bit TOO loose...there's a little horizontal play at full locked open.
Dug out my Kershaw torx tool last night and attempted to tighten it a little. No screw movement in either direction with all the twist I could apply bare handed. The kershaw tool, being very small, limits the amount of torque you can apply by hand (probably a good idea in the majority of situations). I could walk out to the shop and get a bigger driver, but I fear that I will either break the torx bit or, more concerning, damage the screw head.
I'm guessing there was a generous amount of lock-tite added upon assembly.
What tricks have you used to break free a screw on a knife without high risk of damage?
Will a little heat (such as soaking under hot tap water) possible loosen up the lock-tite? Anything else? Not bothersome enough yet to put myself or Kershaw CS thru the trouble of sending it back for a tuneup.
thanks!
 
I've put the tip of a soldering iron on fastners to break the loctite bond
 
Thx Geoff!
Was about to try the hot water trick, then the soldering iron trick, but thought I would give it one last try by hand first. Well, my grip must be a little stronger this morning than it was last night. Got it broken loose. That RAM is one smooth, fine tuned machine now!
I can get the blade to just fall now without having any blade play.
 
The big deal on Torx bits is to ALWAYS use the right size bit ( Requires tri-focals to be sure in my case) - as long as you are using the right sized bit - it is very un-likely you will break/strip the Torx bolt itself - I have brocken cheap bits - NBD .
I have found Gunsmithing replaceable bit screwdriver kits really worthwhile - big enough handle to put some muscle into it. It's worth mentioning that you can encounter non-removable locktite formulations that if over applied are going to require heating to overcome.
RAM is a pretty impresive knife.
 
Yeah, I've ruined my fair share of phillips screws over the years due to trying to force fit the wrong size driver (too lazy to stop and get the right tool) while doing honey-do projects. I try to take a little more care with IMPORTANT things though....such as Kershaw knives!
Anyway, thanks for the heating tip for those stubborn lock-tite screws.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top