Need Help: removing snapped screw from board

[morewind]

I broke the head off a footstrap screw sailing today . Now there is the remnants of a stainless steel screw in my board.

I'm hoping the BWD hivemind has some ideas on how to remove it ... Should I try to drill it out? Wingnut suggested it's a bugger to drill out stainless.

[Russian Dood]

talk to Phatty

he had similar problem last year and as far as I know solved it successfully.

[downwind dave]

i think you will need to get yourself a tap or screw extractor. or, try experimenting with a new footstrap position untill someone offers up a kit..
you can also take it easy on the footstraps in the future by landing forwards on your ass!

[WindePendanT]

I have no idea if this would work, or if you want to experiment with
your gear..
But what about using a metal to metal crazy glue,
to glue another screw to the top of the old one.
Could be a dumb idea, especialy if there's no stem sticking out.
But you never know if your stuck. ha stuck!

[asscrack]

Hey Mike,you will have to get yourself a kit.Drill in the center or the screw and use and easy out tap.I think i have the kit. 380 -1970

[Windsurfish]

Hi,

As long as you are SS screw into plastic, the screw extractor will do the trick. Take care when pilot drilling the broken screw not to "heat it up" too much, or you will melt the insert (easy to extract it, but you will bugger the insert up). Hope you don't get screwed around by the removal.....

[TomS]

Mike

I don't think you will be able to use a screw extractor. Stainless screws are very hard to drill.....You may go through a few drill bits.....Depending on the type of inserts (the large Chinook single bolt insert) you may be able to get another screwhole next to the screw.......best of luck, I've got a spare insert if you need it.

Tom

[morewind]

Success

The screw extractor method worked

Here are the details in case others run into the same problem:

1. drill out the middle of the screw. I used a Makita 5/64" Titanium Nitride coated drill bit. About $3 at CanTire. I drilled down maybe 1/4". I drilled for a couple of seconds at a time, allowing the screw to cool between drillings. No problems with the screw heating up and melting the plastic insert. The broken screw appeared to already have a tiny hole down the middle. That allowed the bit to nicely track into the screw. (but I wonder if this hole was partly responsible for the breakage?).

2. remove broken screw with Mastercraft No 1 screw extractor (1/8" - 1/4' size). About $6 cost at CanTire. I turned the screw extractor with a vice-grip.

It came out pretty easily.

Big thanks to everyone who either posted their ideas here or PM'd me

[JL]

Then it's official...Morewind has a screw loose.