Newbie- Taping verry small screw

[Guythunder]

I have a verry small screw about 1/8 inch in diameter the head broke off it is a bleeder screw for a hydrolic system and I need to get the screw out to bleed the system, But I am not sure how to go about it. I know how to tap out a bigger screw but no idea how to work with one this small.

[svenakela]

Drill it and tap a bigger thread, maybe?

[One of Many]

Originally Posted by Guythunder I have a verry small screw about 1/8 inch in diameter the head broke off it is a bleeder screw for a hydrolic system and I need to get the screw out to bleed the system, But I am not sure how to go about it. I know how to tap out a bigger screw but no idea how to work with one this small.

A few methods to try.

If the screw is reasonably soft and not too tight, I have had sporatic luck with a punch shaped like a small flat bladed screw driver. Just punch it into the end of the broken screw and see if it will then screw out using the punch as a screw driver.

If that fails, I have drilled a small hole in the broken end with a center drill(keeping a small drill centered is a risky challenge). Again with a small punch ground to a square taper, tap it into the small hole so the square bites and see if that will unscrew it.

Left hand spiral drill bits have saved my bacon removing small screws too. Once they start drilling, a little jab force can make the bit bite and unscrew the offending varmit under power in a jiffy. You might need to get the center point started on center with a center drill. Small bits wander too much.

Use caution to keep from swelling the screw in the hole or you may be hosed into more work than you bargained for!

If need be, the first couple internal threads can be removed if they have become damaged for whatever reason. Either from attempts removing it or the intial breakage of the screw itself can hinder your progress, making removal near impossible and FUBAR more likely.

DC

[cam1]

-Carefully center punch waht is remaining of the screw (file it flat if it is protruding from the hole)
solution #1 if you can, go down to the local automotive or machine tool supplier, and purchase a screw removal tool (basically a left handed short carbide drill, that is chucked in a portable drill). As the tool is drilling, it is also trying to turn out the broken screw. This one has saved my behind a couple of times....

solution#2 you can also purchase a LH drill bit, preferably the pilot drill size of the screw (possibly 8-32). this also tries to turn out what is left of the screw.If not, and if you carefully centerpunched, you may be able to restore the thread by tapping the original thread.

solution#3: As suggested, drill the pilot hole size for the next size up in screw, and tap.

solution#4: If it;s not leaking, leave it alone, and drill and tap another bleed hole, or bleed the system somewhere else if you can.

If it's for a hydraulic system, make sure to clean all the shavings out (you can minimize the shavings entering the hole by using grease on the drill bit and tap).

regards

[Guythunder]

Originally Posted by svenakela Drill it and tap a bigger thread, maybe?

Thanks for your help but drilling and tapping a new hole won't work because of the hydrolic system they way it is made. I need to get this screw out.

[Guythunder]

Originally Posted by cam1 -Carefully center punch waht is remaining of the screw (file it flat if it is protruding from the hole) solution #1 if you can, go down to the local automotive or machine tool supplier, and purchase a screw removal tool (basically a left handed short carbide drill, that is chucked in a portable drill). As the tool is drilling, it is also trying to turn out the broken screw. This one has saved my behind a couple of times.... solution#2 you can also purchase a LH drill bit, preferably the pilot drill size of the screw (possibly 8-32). this also tries to turn out what is left of the screw.If not, and if you carefully centerpunched, you may be able to restore the thread by tapping the original thread. solution#3: As suggested, drill the pilot hole size for the next size up in screw, and tap. solution#4: If it;s not leaking, leave it alone, and drill and tap another bleed hole, or bleed the system somewhere else if you can. If it's for a hydraulic system, make sure to clean all the shavings out (you can minimize the shavings entering the hole by using grease on the drill bit and tap). regards

First I can't file the screw because it isn't sticking out, And do they make a tool small enough to tap this screw if so that would be the way to go. Because of the way the hydrolic system is I dare not try a tap and a bigger hole that would run into a lot of work and money if I screwed it up.

[Guythunder]

Originally Posted by One of Many A few methods to try. If the screw is reasonably soft and not too tight, I have had sporatic luck with a punch shaped like a small flat bladed screw driver. Just punch it into the end of the broken screw and see if it will then screw out using the punch as a screw driver. If that fails, I have drilled a small hole in the broken end with a center drill(keeping a small drill centered is a risky challenge). Again with a small punch ground to a square taper, tap it into the small hole so the square bites and see if that will unscrew it. Left hand spiral drill bits have saved my bacon removing small screws too. Once they start drilling, a little jab force can make the bit bite and unscrew the offending varmit under power in a jiffy. You might need to get the center point started on center with a center drill. Small bits wander too much. Use caution to keep from swelling the screw in the hole or you may be hosed into more work than you bargained for! If need be, the first couple internal threads can be removed if they have become damaged for whatever reason. Either from attempts removing it or the intial breakage of the screw itself can hinder your progress, making removal near impossible and FUBAR more likely. DC

First I can't file the screw because it isn't sticking out, And do they make a tool small enough to tap this screw if so that would be the way to go. Because of the way the hydrolic system is I dare not try a tap and a bigger hole that would run into a lot of work and money if I screwed it up.

[One of Many]

Originally Posted by Guythunder First I can't file the screw because it isn't sticking out, And do they make a tool small enough to tap this screw if so that would be the way to go. Because of the way the hydrolic system is I dare not try a tap and a bigger hole that would run into a lot of work and money if I screwed it up.

By tap, I meant to use a small hammer to drive/wedge the square tapered punch into the shallow hole drilled into the end of the broken screw. The same concept as square screw extractors or easy-outs, only smaller. If you do not have these on hand, a quick mod to a punch will often suffice for small screws.

Putting threads into the broken screw won't help get it out unless they are left hand threads.

EZY-OUT round spiral style

Square style

DC

[2muchstuff]

How much time and patience do you have?

A Dremel tool with a carbide dental burr, you know the thing that they drill holes in your teeth with. Start grinding a hole down thru what's left of the bolt. When you start seeing the tops of the threads stop. Using a pick, pick out whats left of the threads or at least try to get about three threads clear then run a tap down thru to clear out.

It may sound like a pain in the rear but it works.

[juergenwt]

Use a Dremel tool with a 1" dia rubber wheel (approx. 1/32 or less thick -any hardware store) Cut a slot and use a screwdriver to take out the screw.