Author Topic: Tuner bolt broke off.. (Read 4951 times)

_tom_ · « **on:** December 07, 2006, 04:24:07 PM »

Me being the idiot I am, accidentally overtightened one of my tuners bolts and now the broken off bit is stuck down inside the tuner. Any ideas for removing it? The only thing I can think of is getting some JB weld or something, putting that on the edge of the broken bit and hope to stick it back together then un-thread it out? Heres a pic, its that gold-ish bit if you cant tell -

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2006, 04:45:05 PM »

That's a bit of a pickle :roll:

I would avoid putting glue anywhere near it. Chances are that you'll break the tuner.

Personally (and I could well be wrong), I would try to make a little groove in the broken bit, perhaps with a small screwdriver or something similar, and use this to slowly unscrew it.

Shag101 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2006, 11:07:02 PM »

I'd go with ToneMonkey and try to find someone with a dremel and make a slit in the top of the broken screw and now its like a flat head screw.

_tom_ · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2006, 08:09:08 AM »

hmm its too small to fit a dremel bit on the broken bit, even my small flat head screwdriver hardly fits down it :(

Whats worse is mum only bought me these about a week ago for my birthday! Why couldnt I leave it the way it was.. :lol:

Philly Q · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2006, 12:04:25 PM »

Even if you manage to get the broken bit out, I'd guess it's not going to be fixable.

I'd contact Wilkinson - or rather the shop your Mum bought it from - and ask for a replacement. A metal tuner shouldn't break being tightened on a wooden headstock!

Even if it was your fault for overtightening it, they needn't know that.

_tom_ · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2006, 01:10:02 PM »

Trouble is.. I got it off a shop seller on ebay so I doubt I'm as likely to get a replacement. I'll try to find wilkinsons email or phone though.

Dakine · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2006, 02:07:42 PM »

Tom, a small 'easy out' is what I would use. They are reverse thread drill screw bit. Basically ya drill a small hole (pilot hole) then (using a tap) use the easy out to remove the screw. If this is not possible/too tight you could try summit like a dab of metal glue on a nail or summit. That is prob. cast and heat will make it brittle/break. I will keep thinking though.

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2006, 02:10:43 PM »

I can supply you the top bit if you can get the broken bit out.
or send the tuner to me and I will try to fix it if you run out of steam with it

You need to find a way to get a grip on the broken bit to unscrew it out and then you can replace it

Address on website if you need some help

Shag101 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2006, 02:15:04 PM »

Did it break off smooth?
If there is a ridged edge to it maybe you can just stick a flat metal object like a real small screwdriver for eyeglasses in there vertically and hit it with a hammer on an angle in the direction to loosen.

_tom_ · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2006, 03:46:48 PM »

It broke off with a ridge, but its facing the direction to tighten it, not loosen it :(

Dakine an easy out wont work I dont think, as its a bolt like these - http://www.axesrus.com/axemachine_files/38bush.jpg

Kilby · « **Reply #10 on:** December 08, 2006, 04:18:39 PM »

Am I right in thinking it's the (for want of a better term) 'collar' that has broken not a screw.

If so then something tapered allow you to get some movement on it (you may need to wrap something with a bit of grip around it first.

As that pic looks like the tunnel I have through my left earlobe.

Rob...

_tom_ · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2006, 04:44:59 PM »

Yeah, I think they're called the bushing bolts or something. Its a really small gap, I cant currently find any screwdrivers to fit inside to try and dislodge it.

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2006, 05:49:55 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

I can supply you the top bit if you can get the broken bit out.
or send the tuner to me and I will try to fix it if you run out of steam with it

You need to find a way to get a grip on the broken bit to unscrew it out and then you can replace it

Address on website if you need some help

Yes the collars can be difficult to extract
We use a pair of metalworkers scribes (like over-sized needles) to dig into the broken but (usually diagonally opposite each other and rotate the broken bit out

Kilby · « **Reply #13 on:** December 09, 2006, 01:06:21 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

Yes the collars can be difficult to extract
We use a pair of metalworkers scribes (like over-sized needles) to dig into the broken but (usually diagonally opposite each other and rotate the broken bit out

when my dad was removing stuff like that he would normally have tapped a thread (with the opposite roation) into the bush / collar and then inserted a screw. The action of tightening the screw (fairly gently), would cause the stuck item to unscrew. But then he did have all the relevant items at hand.

Rob...

_tom_ · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2006, 01:12:47 PM »

Yeah, it just seems like it'd be too small to drill/tap a hole in it as theres hardly anything there!

Anyway I'll send it off to Feline on Monday to see if Jonathan can get it sorted :)