Sorry a very very simple problem

[Swanrad2]

.....that I just cant solve.

Have to remove the fittings from the front bedroom on me Centaur. The screws into the opening port-lights will not undo, I am not an engineer and have no idea what to do next as they will not easily grind off without damaging the window, any hints? I also don't want to strip the head.

 

[VicS]

They are the usual Westerly aluminium framed portlights?

I forget are the screws threaded into the aluminium or are they interscrews with a slotted head both inside and out?

 

[Anonymous]

Have you tried using an impact screwdriver?

 

[Swanrad2]

I think I'll be able to answer that one when I get them off! They are the usual portlights though, my ignorance is blinding, impact screwdriver?

 

[fireball]

impact screwdriver is one that you hit on the end with a hammer and it will jerk in the set direction (anti-clockwise to undo!).
Possibly worth doing the same without an impact hammer if you haven't got one ... don't hit too hard ... or miss!

 

[Dougal]

Using an impact driver can and does (got the t-shirt) cause lots of small stress cracks in GRP.

I ended up having to drill most of mine out. Not that hard really if they're aloy. Even better if they're 'cup' screws, as then the drilling only needs reach the shoulder joint. The remaining screw can then just be tapped or pushed out.

 

[BAtoo]

I'm trying hard not to comment on the "front bedroom".............
is that the upstairs or downstairs one ....??????

 

[macd]

Not being patronising, but I'd urge you to get someone who knows what they're doing to have a look at them. I'm all for self-sufficiency but anything else sounds like a recipe for expensive damage.
If you filled in your bio, you might even find another forumite near enough to volunteer help.

 

[Kawasaki]

Be carefull!
Dont think an Impact screwey will be the right tool for the job!
Excuse Me Lemain!
Boats and screws and steel and aluminium and such like usually mean there is a bit of corrosion evident.
Try tapping the head of the screws firmly but gently with a drift of some sort, the same diameter as the head of the screws, before trying to release.
Get a screwy that is a good fit.
Tap the end of the screwy just before You try to undoe.
If You don't have the confidence to go at it Yourself take macd's advise.

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
Be carefull!
Dont think an Impact screwey will be the right tool for the job!
Excuse Me Lemain!
Boats and screws and steel and aluminium and such like usually mean there is a bit of corrosion evident.
Try tapping the head of the screws firmly but gently with a drift of some sort, the same diameter as the head of the screws, before trying to release.
Get a screwy that is a good fit.
Tap the end of the screwy just before You try to undoe.
If You don't have the confidence to go at it Yourself take macd's advise.

[/ QUOTE ]If you're going to do that then why not use the impact screwdriver? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[BrendanS]

I'd be concerned about the damage to surrounding grp in most boats, if grp

If steel hulled, then a different issue, but not in this case.

 

[Csail]

Small drill and an 'eazyout' safest way.

 

[simonfraser]

i'd drill the head of the screws off, tap out the rest, don't hit it too hard

the screws may not be the worst part

if you're "lucky" the windows have been fitted with sikkaflex and you'll have an even more exciting job getting the frames to come off the grp

do the windows realy have to come out ???

 

[matnoo]

Take a drill and drill the head off the screw. With the head gone, the fitting or whatever youre trying to remove will then just slide off. You will then be left with the thread part of the screw (or screws) protruding from the wall with no heads.

If theyre big, take a hacksaw and cut a groove into the top of the shaft (basically turning it into a slot head screw) and try unscrew.

If they are quite small just try and unscrew them with pliers.

If neither of these work, just file them flat.

Mat

 

[Allan]

Cant be a simple problem with all these answers! I'm not familiar with the screws you have the problem with but would like to add some ideas to the ones above.
Have you tried some sort of release agent? WD40 or penertrating oil?
I have also had some success using a battery drill with a clutch. Use the correct sized driver bit and set the clutch to low, push hard into the screw and slowly increase the clutch setting. On my drill the clutch acts a little like a hammer action.
I have also used a very small blowtorch to heat the screw (clean off oil etc. first!)
I have used impact drivers many times on cars etc. I would never use one near GRP.
Good luck,
Allan

 

[vyv_cox]

<<< Small drill and an 'eazyout' safest way. >>>

With a corroded bolt that's probably 5 mm diameter? I don't think so. As someone else suggested, drill the head off if all release agents, tapping screwdrivers, etc are unsuccessful, although even that is not easy for someone who by his own admission is not the most handy mechanic around.

 

[Hardley]

When trying to undo any screws, especially those in a salty atmosphere, always try to tighten first, even if it only moves a fraction, it will often be enough to break the seal and can then be undone easily.

 

[Swanrad2]

(deliberate and a bit tongue in cheek)

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
I think I'll be able to answer that one when I get them off! They are the usual portlights though

[/ QUOTE ] The reason i asked the question was that if they are interscrews there is a sporting chance that you will get them undone but if they are ordinary srews going into tapped holes in the aluminium frame you are very very unlikely to get them out.

You will easily be able to recognise interscrews beacuse they will have a slotted head visible on both the inside and the outside They are what you will find fixing your main cabin widows . They have male and female halves which screw into each other. Because they are not threaded into the the aluminium they remain easier to undo.

I got the frames on my friend's Berwick refurbished in the "in house" paint technology lab at work a few years ago but I did not help with the removal or refitting.

I agree with all the cautionary words about using an impact screw driver, and because the cabin sides are likely to be slightly flexible one would not work anything like as effectvely as it would on something really solid,

 

[Heckler]

imapct driver normally requires a good twat to engage the spring , gently tapping with adrift willl not damage the surrounds, me and kwacker are old fitters and know that the gentle judicious application of force will sort it.