Technical Question, Please Help, stripped screws.

R

razorhunter

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
470
I just received my new Masters of Defense Deiter CQD MKII. Overall it is a great knife, but here's my problem: I opened it up, and the first thing I noticed was that the pocket clip was loose, and needed tightening. The clip has 3 allen screws that secure it. Not torx heads, but allen heads. I proceeded to tighten them down with good quality Snap On allen wrench. The first screws allen head stripped out with VERY LITTLE pressure. I barely got it tightened down and it stripped out completely. I then proceeded to back out the other two and I put a slight amount of blue loc tite on them, and tightened them up. For now, things seem ok, but the one screw is not tight, and it won't budge because the allen head is fully stripped. I can see this being a problem in the future.
If I ever have to send it back to the factory, will they be able to fix it? Will they drill it out, or what? Thanks for any help.
Also, it seems such a quality knife would use higher tolerance screws? Is it just me, or what? Thanks for any help.
 
I'd send it back. I'm not sure what they'll do to repair it, as retapping the hole would enlarge it, requiring a larger screw. My guess is that they'll have to replace the knife or at least the handle with the stripped hole, if that's even possible.
 
Send it back to the manufacturer, but call first and tell them what happened. If the knife is new, I am sure they will take care of it.
 
I worked in the printing business for years, and allen screws were the standard back then. The round head allens were pretty easy to get out when they were stripped. The allen set screws.... were much tougher.
 
Well, the more I think about this, the more it bothers me. I waited forever for this knife, and now have to send it back! AHHH!!
One thing I have been pondering is the fact that MOD is probably going to send me back the exact same problem I have. The screws will probably be the exact same kind, and are very prone to stripping. Anybody know somewhere I can obtain some stronger grade screws? Thanks. I just want my $200 knife to have decent screws that I can tighten without problems!
 
razorhunter,

... it seems such a quality knife would use higher tolerance screws?...
Click to expand...

Quality is a very subjective term, it can come and go in public opinion, within a company or even in your own eyes. Do not confuse the terms 'quality' and 'expensive'.

Call them, then send it back for repair.

Then, consider this - Sebenza may mean work in Zulu...but in English it DOES mean quality. :)


Steve-O
 
I work with small screws of all kinds daily......when I get a stripped one I use jewelers screwdrivers and they work. In extreme cases I take a scredriver just slightly larger and use a small hammer to pound it in, that usually works also.
 
I don't really know if you can get better allen screws. I've used a ton of them over the years, and the design of the allen screw just has a definite tendency to strip out easily. I've always hated them. I much prefer torx. You may want to make things easy and hit an online knife parts store for torx screws in the same size. Just ask MOD for the screw diemsions and thread size. You should make out okay with torx.
 
I just recently got a MOD Hornet and had the same problem with the stripped screws. MOD said that the screws are NOT allen head (and not Torx either!), but a "splined" head that requires a special wrench!!!????

They have sent me out some replacement screws and this "special" wrench. I have not received them yet, but I will advise once I see what makes this wrench "special".
 
Take a Dremel with cutoff wheel and cut a flathead slot in the head of the screw. Then use a small jeweler's sized flathead screwdriver and carefully remove the stripped screw. Sure, it's easier said than done, and you gotta be careful, but it works like a charm everytime if you are.

Then, go to www.SmallParts.com and order a catalog. They've got every type stainess screw known to man, including torx and allen-headed; you could even replace them with flatheaded screws if you wanted to. Match up length as best you can, though if worst comes to worse, you may end up using your Dremel cutoff wheel again to get the desired screw lengths.

I've been monkeying around with screws for years, and this is just what works for me. Good luck!

Professor.
 
Prof, thanks for that link. Comes in right handy. I truly detest allen screws, having ruined many over the years assembling computer furniture. Buzzbait is right - the darned things always seem to strip out too easy compared to the flat or crosshead screws.

I had a custom folder sent back to the maker after i wrecked the allen screw disassembling it. When it came back, all the screws were replaced by torx versions which was a nice surprise...

Andrew Limsk
 
There are other brands of splined screws around, some of them since long before Torx came on the market. Some of them look very much like a Torx screw but no Torx driver will fit. All I can suggest is if you come across a screw that none of your Torx drivers will fit, don't assume you must have the right driver and the only thing to do is to force it....
 
Guys,
Here is a pleasant update to my problem:
I called MOD first thing this morning, and the lady told me I would receive a call back from one of the guys. Shortly after they called back and told me they were very aware of the problem. He told me of the dremel tool/slot cutting method, and they are sending me some new screws and the special "splined"? tool out right away! MOD was very helpful, and I couldn't be happier with their customer service.
 
Might this be the splined tool?

Torx Plus:
http://www.camcar.textron.com/torxplus/

This is pretty cool stuff.
I'd love to replace ALL my screws with something like this!
http://www.camcar.textron.com/torxplus/benefits.html

ObKnifeContent:
I recently bought a CQD Mk II also. Amazing! I LOVE it. Problem is, I took out the pivot to clean all the grit that accumulated there, and the darn retaining ball bearing came out.

Not wanting to strip the hex/allen bolts, I couldn't take my poor baby apart. So I sent it in.

Customer service has been really exemplary. I'd buy another MOD.

-Jon
 
Here's another source of tools/knowledge on the subject:

www.wihatools.com

They have a great catalog available that includes various diagrams explaining the differences and mechanical advantages/disadvantages of the various types of driver heads. The catalog is free.

BTW, their tools are top notch.
 
I stopped using allen heads for that EXACT reason. Two cures for your problem.......put the allen wrench in with a bit of red or BLACK loctite, wait for it to dry, and extract. 2nd easier way if you have a drill press....drill it out with a smaller size drill. if its a 2.56 screw then the thread hole is .070" so I would start the hole with something that just fits in the allen head and then go to a 1/16".
 
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