Removing buggered torx screw

S

SKH

Joined
Mar 22, 2000
Messages
86
I need to dissassemble an old folder I picked up in a trade, unfortunately the button head torx screws holding the handle scale on are buggered and can't be removed. Is there a screw remover tap available to fit small torx screws or do I need to use a drill press and bit to remove the screw head. Also, if the screw was loctited in (which may have contributed to the cause of the original damage to the screw) is heat the only way to loosen the loctite?
Thanks,
SKH
 
Sounds like you are going to have to drill it. Yes, heat is the only way(as far as I know) to loosen loctite.
 
There's two things you can do here. To apply heat and loosen the loctite you can place the tip of a soldering iron on the screw to heat it up.

Second thing is to get a torx driver the next size up and with a hammer gently tap it into the buggered screw. Then carefully with downward pressure turn the screw. You might only get one chance.
Good luck.
 
Use a dremel tool with a cutting disc to cut a slot across the head. Then use a flat head screw driver.
 
As said above, heat to threadlocker is the best. I haven't tried the soldering iron trick, but it sounds good and I've heard it recommended a lot. TO actually remove the bugged bolt, I've had great success with screw extractors of various types (NOT the $10 for 4 sold at discount auto stores, but quality ones) on smaller fasterns (lets say 10mm and under and/or low torque applications).
 
I've used this Screw Extractor Kit from Sears; worked like a charm with a stuck Phillips Head screw. It claims to work on Torks Head as well. I'd definitely use a soldering iron on the screw for the Loctite.

Good luck, and be sure to let us know how things turn out.
 
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