Gunsmithing torx T10 on TPS base stripped out

[htony1]

was going to take the TPS 20MOA base off of a Remington 700 SA tonight and the rear Torx T10 size screw head stripped out. Apparently the loctite job i did on it really held. I don't have access to machine equipment and don't want to attempt to drill it out. The receiver threads would probably get screwed up with me doing that. any suggestions on how to get this out without damaging the receiver?

This screw snapped off every Torx T10 size bit I have

Thanks

 

[Robert Gradous]

Re: torx T10 on TPS base stripped out

You will have to drill the heads off only then take a pair of vise grips and turn the studs out of the action.

 

[chpprguy]

Re: torx T10 on TPS base stripped out

I have had luck heating the screw with a soldering iron tip (stuck in the head of the screw for a little while)

then using a larger torx or allen wrench a tapping it in with a small hammer, usually the heat and the tapping break up the loctite and it comes loose,

if it doesn't, you're no worse off then you were....

 

[Westtexan]

Re: torx T10 on TPS base stripped out

When it happened on mine, I just drilled the heads out and used vice grips like suggested.. came out fine.

 

[Tripwire]

Re: torx T10 on TPS base stripped out

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Westtexan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When it happened on mine, I just drilled the heads out and used vice grips like suggested.. came out fine. </div></div>

Yep, they drill easy enough...

Clamp the rifle in a cleaning vise/cradle. Use a sharp bit just a hair larger than the screw's thread itself. Run the bit in a variable speed cordless drill. The stripped torx hole will act like a pilot hole and keep you going straight. Start out at an RPM that will get the hole started good, then as you go deeper just bump the trigger a little at a time, keeping decent down pressure on the bit, until just the head of the screw pops off. You may even feel/hear it actually pop off. At that point all holding power of the screw will be gone and the base will simply pull off of the action. What you have then is a threaded "stud" sticking up from the action. Apply some heat with a soldering iron to melt the loctite and use some vise-grips to turn the threaded "stud" out.

Next time use heat to soften the loctite first, so you don't strip 'em.....

 

[htony1]

Re: torx T10 on TPS base stripped out

i ended up heating the screw with a soldering iron and driving a T15 Torx in it. Backed right out pretty easily. Thanks guys.