Stainless self-tapper - snapped, how to remove?

[bpbpbp]

Happy January everyone!

I'm seeking ideas how to extract a 10mm stainless hex headed self-tapping screw that has head snapped, screwed into stainless steel tubing.

I am unable to reach the exposed half inch of thread with my angle grinder due to it's location in a groove with surrounding obstructions

 

[DinghyMan]

Something like the Irwin extractors usually works - BOLT-GRIP™ Bolt Extractors - Tools - IRWIN TOOLS
They do a small set specifically for broken off screws - found them Irwin 394100 Power-Grip Fastener Remover Set for Damaged/Rounded Nuts

Other suppliers are available .....

 

[bpbpbp]

Thank you
I have a set of these but they are all too big and designed for rounded heads I think - I have snapped the head of the self tapper so only the 4mm or so thick thread is left - in a narrow groove

 

[penberth3]

Thank you
I have a set of these but they are all too big and designed for rounded heads I think - I have snapped the head of the self tapper so only the 4mm or so thick thread is left - in a narrow groove

Vise-Grips, if there's enough to grip? If not either drill it out, not easy, or brute force - punch it through then make good the damage!

 

[Poignard]

If you have adequate access from the open end of the tube you could use a long drift and a hammer and knock it away from you. Then use a length of stiff wire with a loop formed in its end to pull it towards you.


Repeat until it is sufficiently loosened to be able to be extracted with a pin vice, pliers or forceps.

Anoint with Plusgas before starting.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Try a left handed drill bit.
Punch a centre in the top and drill anti-clockwise

Either you'll drill out the self tapper or remove it.

Or even more straight forward, drill it out with an approriatly sized drill bit.

You could punch the top, and start with a small bit and work uo size by size until you a have the desired hole.

If the broken end falls in you can just extract it through the open end you took the photo though

 

[Poignard]

How far from the open end is the broken screw?

 

[greeny]

Photos are not very clear so difficult to assess situation fully. But from what I can see -
Dremel with a disc cutter in it and cut off flush. Then try to get a centre punch in to make a centre, then drill out staring small and increasing to screw diameter. It's stainless so try to keep it cool while cutting off and drilling or it will get harder as the material work hardens.( some work hardening may have already be apparent on the screw from manufacture) Stainless screw in stainless may have resulted in a cold welding taking place so turning it out may well be nigh on impossible given it's difficult position.
What is the wall thickness of the tube. If its thin you may be able to cut off the screw flush, drill as much as possible and then just punch it out. Then use a bigger screw to refit,

 

[thinwater]

Vise-Grips, if there's enough to grip? If not either drill it out, not easy, or brute force - punch it through then make good the damage!

View attachment 187757

^^ this. But give it a good long (at least hours and overnight is better) soak with penitrating oil first. I like PB Blaster, but AFT and acetone is very good. It looks like there is a lot sticking out.

 

[William_H]

I would try to grip the screw with a drill chuck. Attached to a drill or removed. Of course heat of the base material and penetrating oil will help. ol'will

 

[rogerthebodger]

If its a stainless steel screw in a c=stainless steel tube, I would weld over the screw from both sides and gind flush and redrill the hole

 

[Bouba]

If its a stainless steel screw in a c=stainless steel tube, I would weld over the screw from both sides and gind flush and redrill the hole

Yes that would be my approach.....if you needed the screw out....then I would put a blob of weld on the screw...this would give something for the mole grips to grip...and you have the welder out ready to fill the hole.
I would use a simple arc welder (stick welder) with stainless rods....I would use a short rod, because your target is very small and it will be easier to aim....and I would use an auto darkening helmet, so that you can guide the rod exactly to the screw head

 

[rogerthebodger]

Yes that would be my approach.....if you needed the screw out....then I would put a blob of weld on the screw...this would give something for the mole grips to grip...and you have the welder out ready to fill the hole.
I would use a simple arc welder (stick welder) with stainless rods....I would use a short rod, because your target is very small and it will be easier to aim....and I would use an auto darkening helmet, so that you can guide the rod exactly to the screw head

That exactlly how I would do the job

 

[penberth3]

I would try to grip the screw with a drill chuck. Attached to a drill or removed. Of course heat of the base material and penetrating oil will help. ol'will

No chance. You'd never get a drill chuck tight enough. Use Vise-grips.

 

[penberth3]

If its a stainless steel screw in a c=stainless steel tube, I would weld over the screw from both sides and gind flush and redrill the hole

Welding and grinding inside a tube? Good luck with that!

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Yes that would be my approach.....if you needed the screw out....then I would put a blob of weld on the screw...this would give something for the mole grips to grip...and you have the welder out ready to fill the hole.
I would use a simple arc welder (stick welder) with stainless rods....I would use a short rod, because your target is very small and it will be easier to aim....and I would use an auto darkening helmet, so that you can guide the rod exactly to the screw head

We have seen your welding it's most probable that should you attempt such a task that you would burn a hole big enough for the screw to simply drop out.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Welding and grinding inside a tube? Good luck with that!

Don it lots of times yes you have to be careful not to over the heat the stainless most decent welders could do it

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Don it lots of times yes you have to be careful not to over the heat the stainless most decent welders could do it

That rules Bouba out then

 

[rogerthebodger]

That rules Bouba out then

Con't comment a I have never met Bouba or most others forum members for that matter

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Con't comment a I have never met Bouba or most others forum members for that matter

But he has unbelievably posted a picture of what he called welding and most would use the well known phrase of seagull shit.