Broken Screw in front scope base hole

[jareese]

Customer brought me rifle (2 actually) that has the front screw broken off flush with the top of the receiver. It appears he used too long of screws and really cranked on it. I could not get it out, so I drilled it out. Then I drilled for 8-40 keeping the drill off of the barrel threads. I don't have a bottoming tap, so I was going to remove the barrel and finish drilling and tapping that way. Long story short, I had to cut the barrel off, drill and bore the rest of the barrel out of the receiver because the barrel threads were crushed, and by me trying to remove the barrel the 3rd thread in on the receiver is scored pretty bad. The rest of the threads are good, and everything is nice and tight and locks up nice with a test plug cut for 1.0625x16.

Sorry for the bad pic.

My question - who is responsible for the new barrel?

EDIT: I’ve already ordered the new barrel.

 

[Carl S]

I would have spoken to the customer about the possible scenarios of the job before I did any work.i would have drilled down and touched the crest of the tennon thread's so the screw was removed completely.it wouldn't have hurt anything removing the flat spot on the tennon thread's.lubricate through the hole.and gently work the action off the barrel.

 

[tobnpr]

JMO...

Hard to justify to the customer why he should pay for a new barrel, when there (apparently) wasn't a problem with the one he had. You had to have known you were going to need to re-tap the hole, so why didn't you order a bottoming tap instead of opting to attempt to remove the barrel?

 

[jareese]

JMO...

Hard to justify to the customer why he should pay for a new barrel, when there (apparently) wasn't a problem with the one he had. You had to have known you were going to need to re-tap the hole, so why didn't you order a bottoming tap instead of opting to attempt to remove the barrel?

Agreed - I’ve already ordered a barrel, just interested to see what the consensus was.
I “had” a bottoming tap…. Can’t find it.

 

[Clancy]

I’ve taken a bunch of these out with a stuck screw remover. I also saw a friend laser engrave a slot in the head of a base screw and take it out with a flat head screwdriver.

I’m guilty of this at times too, but it sounds like you let your emotions get the better of you. I’d replace the barrel.

 

[jareese]

I’ve taken a bunch of these out with a stuck screw remover. I also saw a friend laser engrave a slot in the head of a base screw and take it out with a flat head screwdriver.

I’m guilty of this at times too, but it sounds like you let your emotions get the better of you. I’d replace the barrel.

I have ordered a barrel.

 

[shortgrass]

I agree with the majority here. You are responsible for the barrel and its proper installation. There was no real need to remove the barrel. Can't find your bottom tap? Order another! Taps don't last forever, anyway!!

 

[Sniperhandle]

The barrel and barrel thread most likely got messed up because the scope base screw was bottomed out into the barrel threads and when you unscrewed it it messed up the threads.

 

[Hal]

Jareese
It takes about a minute to make a bottoming tap out of a regular tap.

The barrel and barrel thread most likely got messed up because the scope base screw was bottomed out into the barrel threads and when you unscrewed it it messed up the threads.

I think you screwed the pooch on this job.

Hal

 

[boltfluter]

Customer brought me rifle (2 actually) that has the front screw broken off flush with the top of the receiver. It appears he used too long of screws and really cranked on it. I could not get it out, so I drilled it out. Then I drilled for 8-40 keeping the drill off of the barrel threads. I don't have a bottoming tap, so I was going to remove the barrel and finish drilling and tapping that way. Long story short, I had to cut the barrel off, drill and bore the rest of the barrel out of the receiver because the barrel threads were crushed, and by me trying to remove the barrel the 3rd thread in on the receiver is scored pretty bad. The rest of the threads are good, and everything is nice and tight and locks up nice with a test plug cut for 1.0625x16.

Sorry for the bad pic.

My question - who is responsible for the new barrel?

EDIT: I’ve already ordered the new barrel.

Sometimes you need to take a step back from the job and think things through. We have all been there and done that! Lol. Good on you for taking care of the customer.. By taking the high road, you will have a customer for life, and he will share his experience with all his friends which will bring you more work. Treat people like you would like to be treated and you will always have work. Such a simple concept, but quite lacking in today's world. Well done.
Paul

 

[jareese]

The barrel and barrel thread most likely got messed up because the scope base screw was bottomed out into the barrel threads and when you unscrewed it it messed up the threads.

That is my thought as well.

 

[kendog]

One time I had a setup slip while cleaning up a Rem 700 bolt face. Boring bar gouged into the bolt about .040". Greg Tannel fixed it for me for quite a few $$. I had 700 bolt for supper the next week or so.