Removing stuck action screws

[UIUCPPQ]

Can anyone suggest a place to send my rifle to have action screws that are VERY much stuck in place removed?

They're going to need to be drilled out, other options have been exhausted.

If anyone has suggestions, they'd be appreciated as I'm feeling pretty hopeless right now.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

Have you drilled/milled off the heads and tried clamping them in a vice and backing them out?

There are a ton of good smiths on here if you need to send it off. Post up where you are located and someone may be able to recommend one near you.

 

[UIUCPPQ]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

Central Illinois is where I'm located, but I'm 99% sure they aren't coming out without drilling them through and relieving the pressure. I did a bad thing.

 

[wareagle700]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

red loctite?

 

[UIUCPPQ]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

Worse, ft-lbs instead of in-lbs, about 25 of them. Stripped heads.

 

[SLO]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

I hear you that they are really stuck but it may be worth trying a Craftsman tool called Screw-Out. I've used it on a lot of really stuck shit.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: UIUCPPQ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Worse, ft-lbs instead of in-lbs, about 25 of them. Stripped heads. </div></div>

Drilling or milling off the heads will relieve the "stretch" on the fastener and in all probability will let you grab ahold of it with a pair of vise grips and back out what is left.

Had to do it more than once with studs in the automotive world.

Now if you buggered up the threads in the receiver, you are going to need to take it to a smith.

 

[UIUCPPQ]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

I'll try to get those heads off, one is already popped off so that's 50% done. I feel it is likely that I have messed up the threads in the receiver but atm I'm just glad that there aren't threads to have messed up in the chassis.

 

[KTDLS7]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

UIUCPPQ,

You did not mention what type head is on the fastener - slot, phillips, hex, or Torx. If it is a hex or Torx, another option is driving an oversized, high-quality 3/8" drive Torx into the hole. I stress high-quality as in name-brand automotive tools, not Harbor Freight.

Milling the head would be the best and cleanest option.

Good Luck,

Kevin

 

[c1steve]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

If you could remove the screw heads as recommended, welding a nut or cross piece will give you lots of ability to turn the screws. You would need to TIG weld the piece in place, for strength.

If the screw and receiver are both stainless, that metal tends to gall badly under high torque.

 

[opeagle]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

Easy outs or Screw outs would be my first try. As others posted, drill the heads out then remove the chassis. Can possibly deal with it better that way.

 

[UIUCPPQ]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

After initially messing this up I'm kind of doubtful of myself, is there a special technique for drilling the heads off of this screw? It's an allen head as previously mentioned.

 

[KTDLS7]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

Allen head cap screws are typically grade 8 or better, which means they are not soft. Stainless is even more difficult. Drilling is risky, unless you have a way to SECURELY clamp/hold the action and stock assembly on a drill press. Personally, I would not attempt to drill. Find a machine shop or friend with a mill. If milling is not an option, I would use the oversize Torx. BTW, there is a special short-shank screw remover for stripped Allen/Torx cap screws with a shoulder to contact the top surface of the cap, but I can't find it with searches.

Good Luck,

Kevin

 

[tmckay2]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

I-L-L

 

[UIUCPPQ]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tmckay2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I-L-L </div></div>

I-N-I!

Well I'm not sure what milling means I guess, could someone clarify that for me?

 

[George63]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

a mill is a machine shop tool with a rotating cutter head vs a lathe that uses a fixed cutter / rotating material

 

[tmckay2]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

i graduated u of i in 2008

 

[UIUCPPQ]

Re: Removing stuck action screws

Hmm well I don't think I know anyone with a mill so that may be a problem, I'll have to look around locally and hopefully get lucky.