How to remove stuck allan screw?

Mando Commando · 15-07-2011 8:48am #1

Hi all,

Picked up a secondhand JG bar 10 there yesterday, just looking at it now - One of the allan screws that hold it together, the one that's just forward of the mag release is firmly stuck. Plus the head is sheared so an allan key won't budge it. It's had a slightly heavy paint job done on it, perhaps paint has clogged it up.

Any ideas for how to get it out or how to move forward from here?

Cheers in advance.

Private Snafu · 15-07-2011 8:58am

Best bet is to use an extractor, they're made for this kind of thing

You'll be able to pick them in in any decent hardware shop.

Mando Commando · 15-07-2011 9:01am

Nice one! is an extractor a hand tool of some kind?

Mando Commando · 15-07-2011 9:04am

Ah I get it! - just looked them up, cheers Iperozzi

Leftyflip · 15-07-2011 9:37am

Mando Commando wrote: »

Ah I get it! - just looked them up, cheers Iperozzi

If that fails - you should be able to cut a slot in the screw head with a dremel and use a screwdriver to get it out. A releasing agent works wonders. Yes I mean WD40 - just a short spray on the screw and leave it sit for a while. If that doesn't work. Or indeed Lucy's* advice - break out the drill...

*I intended to call Luca Lucy. :P

Private Snafu · 15-07-2011 9:40am

Won't be so easy if the screw is recessed

and you have a job that needs doin.... That counters at zero kid

thermo · 15-07-2011 2:08pm

you could also drive a similarly sized torx bit into the rounded hole.

hightower1 · 15-07-2011 2:40pm

A trick I use for stripped screws is to dap a bit of strong superglue or epoxy to the head of the alan key and place it fush against the head of the screw. Leave it to dry overnight then you should be able to unscrew it no problem, you can then leave the alan key / screw in nail polish over night to retrieve the key or screw (so you can bring to a hardware shop to make sure yo can get a right size replacement). Handy if your stuck in a pinch and need to get a non essential screw out asap.

NakedDex · 15-07-2011 9:53pm

Drill. Seriously, it's the best method as long as you're not hopeless with a power tool. Drill out the head, switch bits and drill a bore half the size of the screw shaft diameter. Switch the bit for an easy-out, remove screw.
Job done, no faffing about. I've done it a thousand times on aircraft. If it's the preferred method on a Boeing or Airbus, I can't see any issue on a plastic rifle.

Leftyflip · 15-07-2011 10:06pm

lperrozzi wrote: »

Won't be so easy if the screw is recessed and you have a job that needs doin.... That counters at zero kid

Done it countless times on a Bar-10, quite easily done lad :P

How to remove stuck allan screw?

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