Deck Replacement

[Guest]

I have taken the ply deck off my yacht (19 footer) and have now exposed the frames (to the rain). Some of the old bras screws are left in place, seemingly immovable, others have snapped off at frame level plus the thickness of the old deck.

My question is this...before applying the new deck, whats the best way to deal with these old screws? Chop them all off at frame level? Drill them out? Ignore them, have a whiskey and hope they go away?

David

 

[Guest]

Drilling out is great in theory - but almost impossible in practice.

Brass left in place shouldn't have any detrimental effect in the future so personally I would just grind them off.

They will only be a problem if you then "hit" one as you try to drive in another screw to replace the deck. The answer to this is:

1. If they are evenly spaced drill a small (2mm) pilot hole for your first screw and if this misses all the old stubs then space your own set of screws at the same distance apart as the old screws - starting at the pilot.

2. If they are not evenly spaced then drill a small (2mm) pilot hole for each screw before you drill out the full "shank" diameter. If the pilot hits an old stub then just move a few millimetres away and drill another one.

If you do have any unused pilot holes remember to fill them is as paint or varnish won't always seal it.

Best regards )

Ian D

 

[chippie]

I am going to be facing a similar problem when l replace the decks on my trimaran. Having done some small areas I ground the fasteners off at frame level and then slathered the frames with a couple of coats of thinned epoxy and then fastened the epoxy coated ply with ss screws and glassed over it all when finished.
If l were you l would have the whiskey any way.

Good Health

 

[Strathglass]

If they will come out -Take them out
If they won't - Paint them with epoxy
Either way - enjoy your whisky- As I am doing just now.
They wont go away but wont cause you any problems