I think my dragonfly salt is broken! :(

[Surfingringo]

Hey, looking for some advice. I think the pivot screw is broken on my dragonfly salt! The blade developed a bit of side to side play about a month after I got it, but I didn't really pay much attention. Well, this morning I decided to tighten the pivot screw a bit and it just turns without catching any threads. It will not get any tighter nor looser. I can't even remove it. What should I do? Remember, I'm in Costa Rica.

Thanks,

Lance

 

[Surfingringo]

Hey, looking for some advice. I think the pivot screw is broken on my dragonfly salt! The blade developed a bit of side to side play about a month after I got it, but I didn't really pay much attention. Well, this morning I decided to tighten the pivot screw a bit and it just turns without catching any threads. It will not get any tighter nor looser. I can't even remove it. What should I do? Remember, I'm in Costa Rica.

Thanks,

Lance

p.s. if the best solution is to change/install a new pivot screw, then I have a buddy coming down next week that could bring me what I need. Otherwise, ill just have to use it like this until I go back to the states. I'm kinda bummed.

 

[TEFL0N_D0N_81]

Damn.. does it at least lock up correctly?

I'd try to contact Spyderco (email CS or maybe someone on BF). Maybe they can send you a new pivot and screw. I'd really like to see what happened inside it.

 

[Surfingringo]

Yeah yeah, it's completely functional. There's still only a tiny bit of side to side, but like I said, pivot screw turns, but doesn't loosen or tighten.

 

[TEFL0N_D0N_81]

That's great to hear. I'd ask Spyderco to just send you a new pivot and screw. Not sure how many they'll have on hand (if it's H-1, it might take longer), but at least it still works for now.

 

[Barman1]

Yeah yeah, it's completely functional. There's still only a tiny bit of side to side, but like I said, pivot screw turns, but doesn't loosen or tighten.

With all of your product promotion around here, not only should you get some new screws, there should be a new Surfingringo Salt!

 

[TEFL0N_D0N_81]

Weird question, but did you try putting some finger pressure on the non-screw side? Maybe the entire pivot is spinning and just needs a little traction to thread itself.

 

[Barman1]

Weird question, but did you try putting some finger pressure on the non-screw side? Maybe the entire pivot is spinning and just needs a little traction to thread itself.

But the "detent" on the pivot shouldn't allow it.

 

[Surfingringo]

Weird question, but did you try putting some finger pressure on the non-screw side? Maybe the entire pivot is spinning and just needs a little traction to thread itself.

Yes, I've tried that. I have never taken one apart so I don't know exactly what the connection looks like

 

[Surfingringo]

Isn't it strange that it won't unscrew either? It's obviously not threading. It shouldn't be stripped since I have never touched it until today.

 

[Surfingringo]

Ok, I'm a dork. I just realized the whole pin is rotating with the screw when I turn it. I was holding it with my finger, but it's so smooth and shiny I couldn't see or feel it rotating. I marked it with a sharpie to confirm. Now the problem is I'm not smart enough to figure out how to hold that pin while I tighten or loosen the screw.

 

[grownstar]

At least you identified the problem!

 

[liamstrain]

try making a bung with a bit of rubberband glued to the end of a dowel, just something to give a bit more grip. Or hot glue something to it you can grip - the hot glue will peel right off later.

 

[senoBDEC]

A cheap "maybe" fix would be a simple rubber finger-cover (like that used to gain traction when handling flipping documents), any local office-supply type store should have them, and they prove useful for a lot of things in my experience. If you have a rubber mouse pad or the like around, that works too.

 

[mattmanyam]

It might have loctite, and in attempting to overcome the bond, you *may* have rounded out the "D" shaped hole in the scales, that grip it during assembly?

idk, just a thought...

 

[Squashfan]

I had to disassemble a Kershaw Leek that has a round pivot head. I was told to open the blade and place the spine on a piece of wood. Push down on the handle and play around with different angles of the spine until the pivot gives. The tork exerted on the pivot by the blade will hold it until the you can break the loctite. This should work but you have to be patient.

 

[Surfingringo]

I had to disassemble a Kershaw Leek that has a round pivot head. I was told to open the blade and place the spine on a piece of wood. Push down on the handle and play around with different angles of the spine until the pivot gives. The tork exerted on the pivot by the blade will hold it until the you can break the loctite. This should work but you have to be patient.

Great advice. That worked perfectly! Thank you very much for the tip.

Lance

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

Lance,

Great that it works ! I'm wondering if the pivot doesn't come with D shape to hold it in place when unscrewing?

Squashfan,
I can't imagine this method
Perhaps it's past my bedtime, slowbrain now.

 

[suedeface]

I just use a small piece of gorilla tape on the back side and hold it with my finger. It is usually enough to break the small torx screws free.

 

[Squashfan]

This method works by using the spine as a tool to torque the pivot. When enough force spreads the scales, it also freezes the pivot long enough to break the locktite. It wasn't my idea; it is from someone in the KAI subforum.