Broken Screws While Installing Tuners...

[guitardustin]

So I purchased a new warmth tele neck and a set of vintage style tuners a few weeks back and just got around to installing everything.

So I measured everything out and did a nice job of predrilling on the back of the neck, and basically went down the line and put in each screw about half way to make sure everything was lined up nicely.

It all looked good so I continued, and as I started twisting, 3 different screws broke off at the halfway point inside the wood :facepalm Yes I'm fully aware that I should have stopped after one, but it was in the heat of the moment and I figured it wasn't that bad...

They are waaaaay too far in to pull out at this point, so any idea as to how the heck to remove the half broken screws?

[guitardustin]

Would a simple screw extractor work? It's pretty obvious that:

1. I drilled the holes too small at 1/16
and
2. The supplied screws were absolute crap

[JUSTJOB]

It sounds like they will have to be drilled out at this point. Try getting a reverse twist drill bit and drilling out in reverse, sometimes it is enough to grab and twist the screws out. If that doesn't work then I suppose you could also try drilling and then using an easy out too. It seems as your pilot holes were a bit too small to begin with. Good luck, and take your time.

[guitardustin]

It sounds like they will have to be drilled out at this point. Try getting a reverse twist drill bit and drilling out in reverse, sometimes it is enough to grab and twist the screws out. If that doesn't work then I suppose you could also try drilling and then using an easy out too. It seems as your pilot holes were a bit too small to begin with. Good luck, and take your time.

Ugh Thanks for the help. I'm just afraid that any extraction attempt now will make the holes too large and wasting an entire neck

[JUSTJOB]

Remember, sharp new drill bits, ( use a center punch 1st), take your time and go slow. Best of luck to you!

[ToneBrokerBill]

Best of luck with the extraction.

On most tuners, the supplied screws are junk and prone to breaking. Having learned the hard way, I now have a box of quality screws in that size, and I throw the supplied screws in the trash.

[Oakvillain]

You will have to drill out with quarter inch bit. Fill with dowel and glue and start again. Pre drill into hardwood. When drilling Out the screws use a drill press and firmly secure the neck. Good luck.

[Doctor Morbius]

The same thing happened to me using the supplied screws for vintage Gotoh tuning machines I purchased with a Warmoth neck. And yes I drilled a pilot hole that should have been plenty large enough. I stopped at 1 broken screw though. I ended up using some screws that came with Fender/Ping tuners instead.

I agree with the poster that stated the screws that come with tuners are crap. One day when I remember it and hit a hardware store I'm going to stock up on stainless steel screws that are the same size as the stock Fender screws. The Gotoh screws are a weird size and shape.

[JDJ]

Place a drop of oil on the threads next time. Or turn the threads on a bar of soap.

[guitardustin]

Thanks guys

I definitely screwed this one up bad. I'll just take it into the shop on monday and see what they can do :facepalm

You're going to laugh but I tried to make one of the other holes a bit bigger and went all the way though....

Goodbye $300 I'll never see again

[TwoTubMan]

On most tuners, the supplied screws are junk and prone to breaking.

100 % correct. Even the screws that come with Waverly's are garbage.

[Ron Kirn]

You wanna make you one of these .. . about 1/8th d.....

http://www.amazon.com/WoodRiver-Screw-Extractor-1-4/dp/B0032YWQ26/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1338692883&sr=8-14



it's easy with a piece of stainless tubing from McMaster-Carr part # 8989K112

using 'em is pretty self explanatory, Just don't cut through the headstock.

and yes... NEVER use the supplied screws that come with parts.... get good quality Stainless from McMaster-Carr.... or a well stocked hardware store.

Ron Kirn

[guitardustin]

You wanna make you one of these .. . about 1/8th d.....

http://www.amazon.com/WoodRiver-Screw-Extractor-1-4/dp/B0032YWQ26/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1338692883&sr=8-14



it's easy with a piece of stainless tubing from McMaster-Carr part # 8989K112

using 'em is pretty self explanatory, Just don't cut through the headstock.

and yes... NEVER use the supplied screws that come with parts.... get good quality Stainless from McMaster-Carr.... or a well stocked hardware store.

Ron Kirn

Thanks. I wish I had known the secret screw rule prior to putting all 6 in...

[PixMix]

I use bees wax always when driving screws into wood.

Place a drop of oil on the threads next time. Or turn the threads on a bar of soap.

[RAILhead]

It's no big deal at all -- just drill them out using a slightly larger bit. I've done it before -- we all have. No need to go crazy and use a 1/4" hole as previously mentioned. Drill them out, being careful of the depth, and fill them back in with your filler of choice. Let it dry for a day or so, then redrill with the proper pilot hole size.

I've only built 13 necks, installing machines on all of them, and I've never had any issues with stock screws. It sounds to me like your pilot hole was too small, plain and simple. Remember: the screws are only there to help maintain tuning machine alignment -- the aren't there for support.

CLARIFICATION: Since learning from my mistakes, I have built 13 necks and never had any issues with stock screws.

[guitardustin]

It's no big deal at all -- just drill them out using a slightly larger bit. I've done it before -- we all have. No need to go crazy and use a 1/4" hole as previously mentioned. Drill them out, being careful of the depth, and fill them back in with your filler of choice. Let it dry for a day or so, then redrill with the proper pilot hole size.

I've only built 13 necks, installing machines on all of them, and I've never had any issues with stock screws. It sounds to me like your pilot hole was too small, plain and simple. Remember: the screws are only there to help maintain tuning machine alignment -- the aren't there for support.

Thanks! When you say "drill them out" do you mean use an extractor or just the normal bit?

[RAILhead]

Thanks! When you say "drill them out" do you mean use an extractor or just the normal bit?

I just drill them out with a slightly larger metal bit -- but I have a drill press and the proper stabilizing hardware. :aok

[Dale]

I have never been able to get them to drill out well for some reason. I do not find that easy to do. I think I need a better base for my drill press though I would say that is my issue here.

[Sweetfinger]

Thanks guys

I definitely screwed this one up bad. I'll just take it into the shop on monday and see what they can do :facepalm

You're going to laugh but I tried to make one of the other holes a bit bigger and went all the way though....

Goodbye $300 I'll never see again

If the screw is hard to put in, or you are stripping the head, even a little, STOP! Even the cheapest, crappiest screws work fine. The only time I've broken them is when I was doing something stupid, like not drilling out the holes properly.
Also, there have been several threads on TGP over the years on proper extraction of a broken tuner screw. Drilling other holes around the broken screw is not the preferred method.....That screw extraction could have been done with no visible sign of repair... until it was made even worse.

EDIT: Here's an old thread where the OP shows you how not to do it. Further down is the preferred method with brass tubing
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=859022

[force_quit]

I'm wondering if the experience folks can help a novice like me? What size and type screws are "best" and what size pilot bit?

I had a really nerve wracking time putting vintage tuners on a maple Strat neck. It turned out okay, but I had to bump up pilot diameter twice and used wax on the threads. It still felt like the screw head was in danger of twisting off.

[Digitalman]

Thanks! When you say "drill them out" do you mean use an extractor or just the normal bit?

I did this once changing tuners on a tele. The smallest screw extractor I had was too big to pull the broken screw out. I got a really small bit and drilled a hole through the center of the broken screw, which eventually collapsed and came out in pieces. Just use a smaller, sharp bit and go slow. A pilot hole should be the size of the shaft of the screw, minus the threads.