[psilvers]

I have a Hagen's wire bender and I was trying to change the plate that allows you to use heavy gauge wire - I had been bending some .051 gauge wire. I wanted to bend something a little lighter for spinnerbaits and I stripped the cap on the screw. i tried a screw extractor, but that didn't seem to dig in. Thus, I couldn't turn the screw and get it out. hagen's was kind enough to send me some replacement screws for free, but I still need to get the old screw out. Any ideas? If nothing else, and if I can get a chance, I will take it to a machine shop.

Thanks,
Pete

[cadman]

Pete,
Can you take a pic of the problem area. If it's the stud of the screw stuck in the threads, you can drill a small hole in the stud, then take a small screw extractor and put it in the hole and back it out. I can't say this is correct with out a pic. I have the Hagen's also, so I will be able to relate to you once I see it.

[psilvers]

Cadman,

I tried that already. I bought a small screw extractor, but I couldn't get the darn thing to bite into the screw so that I could back it out. I did drill the pilot hole - I have successfully used screw extractors before - but I was afraid to drill a pilot hole that was too large.

Pete

[kelly]

You might be able to cut a slot in it with a dremel. So you can use a flat screw driver to get it out. I am surprised the extractor its not getting it out. Did you put some penetrating oil (wd-40)on it and let it sit. As a last option you could heat it with a torch but burning off the paint you would have to repaint it. Probably have powder paint any ways right. Be Shir to heat the part not the screw. heat expands. If you can get something to grip. Wrap a paper towel around it (a screwdriver) to act as a heat sink trying to keep the screw cool. Do not heat it to a red if you do it will need to be tempered.
If you have heated it to hot. The way you would temper it is heat it to a red, or if its magnetic heat it till it loses the magnetic pull. Cool it fast in oil not water. Any oil the old stuff out of your car. It will burn like fluxing so use protection and out doors. Water makes a steam jacket and at times warps it or cracks it. Then Polish a part and heat it to a blue and let it cool slow. That is app. 700deg. That is two steps. High temp cool fast heat low temp cool slow. Another easy way to get your low temp it to put it in your lead melter for 5 or 10 min. Just after the lead has melted. Then cool slow. If you leave it on the first step it will be brittle and brake easily.

[papamark]

try a Left twist drill bit, I useto use these all the time when extracting broken bolts.

[psilvers]

Thanks Mark. I took it to a machine shop and that is exactly what he did.

Pete

[papamark]

Hey, no problem, I had busted alot of extractors until I started doing that.