SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Removing stripped hex screw

Re: Removing stripped hex screw

null@example.com (spapadim) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 18:41:42 +0000

Thanks for the tips. Eventually it was heat gun @310C, vice grips, and eventually Dremel (to grind off half the head, so vice grips could, well, grip). Jeez!!

Even @310C, Loctite was not really coming loose. Wondering if I was doing something wrong (first time).

I was trying to avoid breaking the old bracket, but turns out there was Loctite red smothered all over (!!) the entire darn thing, between the plastic and the sheet metal, so it would have been impossible to salvage anyway.

"Overkill" bracket still flexes somewhat (or perhaps the single M3 screw allows it to rotate slightly?), but at least there is no more squeaking when carriage moves. Still haven't tried it.

Re: Removing stripped hex screw

null@example.com (rcav8r) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 15:23:17 +0000

Unless the head is completely rounded out, you can dip the tip of the screw/hex driver in a some valve grinding compound with diamond dust.. I think I have Permetix obtained at the local auto parts store years ago. A tube will last 10 lifetimes when used for this. I have yet to not have this work. A lot easier (and neater) than breaking out the Dremel, but I do use that method if the there is no trace of anything for the driver to grip.
On a side note, kinda scary that the guy never blocked the carb/exhaust from the flying debris. Having worked on my fair share of R/C engines I always blocked the openings with paper towel if there was any chance of metal shavings getting in there... I would imagine you don't want any metal shavings near your printer either

Re: Removing stripped hex screw

null@example.com (spapadim) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 15:15:50 +0000

Thanks! I was hoping for something less destructive, but... Couldn't they have used a nyloc or at least Loctite blue? Who attaches a flimsy plastic part permanently? Argh.. I'll heat it up to 300, also melting off bracket, and give it a go. Oh boy..

Re: Removing stripped hex screw

null@example.com (techbuilder2175) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 07:47:48 +0000

Wabam!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rCcAagyqrA

That plus this http://www.homedepot.com/p/Blaster-11-o … qbG_PRDt8E

Will get you a loose screw.

Removing stripped hex screw

null@example.com (spapadim) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 06:16:34 +0000

While trying to remove the Y-axis brackets (right one was flexing way too much, suspected crack), I managed to strip the screw (and then found the forum post that says SD use Loctite Red threadlocker -- d-oh!!).

Any ideas how to remove it? It won't go in or out. Tried heating to 190C (after stripping threads, that is), until old bracket started softening, no luck either. That darn PEM nut doesn't help either... argh.