Removing a T-10 torque screw

[bsekf]

I am removing the sight bridge on a Ruger #1 and twisted off a T-10 bit. It broke flush with the hole in cap screw, I can't get ahold of it to pull it out. Anybody got a sure fire method of removing the broken piece?

Bill

 

[Egg]

I would try center punching it and drilling down to the bottom of the broken bolt with a small bit. Try to get the center punch as close as possible to the center of the broken bolt so you don't gouge or strip the t-10 socket. Then you might be able to take a small screw and get a thead or two into the hole and pull the broken screw straight up and out. That's what I would do, but as you know, there is a 100 different ways to skin a cat!!!! Hope this helps. Egg

 

[mmcu]

A really strong magnet might pop it out.

 

[DRNewcomb]

Whoa! Either that was a really cheap bit or the screw is way over-torqued. I'd try drilling the broken bit with a right hand drill bit. That by itself may break loose the broken bit.

 

[Hal]

A really strong magnet might pop it out.

 

[jepp2]

sure fire method

Not sure fire, but there should be clearance to allow it to release. If you go the magnet route, get rare earth, they are way stronger. By holding it upside down and vibration might get the broken bit to release. I would try lots of things before trying to drill it out.

 

[Hal]

What do you have to work with ? How handy are you?

If you have a lathe you can make a guide bushing to use in the sight base a get a good center punch mark.
Soak it in a good penetrating oil, not WD-40. Don't rush it.
Sit it up in a vise in the drill press.
Use a New good quality under sized drill bit. The size recommended by your EZ Out.
I you have a Left hand drill bit use it.

Hal

 

[GNERGY]

Do you have a Dremel tool, ( every gun owner should have one ) and use the small cut off wheel and cut a slot in it to use a screw driver to try and unscrew it.
Tarey
Another way to skin that cat.

 

[DRNewcomb]

......I you have a Left hand drill bit use it.

If he is trying to remove the broken bit, it was torqued off trying to remove a screw, counter-clockwise. A left-hand drill bit would not help. If he's trying to remove the screw, that's a different story.

 

[dkhunt14]

I would try a little heat. It might fall out. Matt

 

[jimbires]

just try holding it upside down and wiggle at it with a dentist pick .

 

[savagedasher]

just try holding it upside down and wiggle at it with a dentist pick .

Best answer so far I would turn the screw bottom side up a use a small center puch an tape it backward from the direction it was broke a strong magnet shod remove it when it loosened Good luck and buy better tools . Larry

 

[hogpatrol]

Small center punch on the edge, soak with Kroil for half hour and then see if you can wiggle it loose with a dental pick, scriber or other pointed tool. This assumes it wasn't all lathered up with Loc-Tite. In that case, heat is your friend. Use a soldering iron.

 

[rardoin]

If you have, or can borrow a automatic center punch you can try 'clicking' it at several slight off axis angles in combination with a small pick to try to pry it loose. It will be a bit difficult to drill out such a small hardened object. If you have any friends who are dentists, they could use a small round carbide or diamond bur to cut it out safely....that would take only a few minutes in the right hands.

 

[chardog]

Don't bother with drilling, broken piece is hardened and you won't drill it unless you have special bits. Try a really sharp center punch and see if you can chip it out. Maybe a small metal cutting chisel. Like others said work opposite of the direction you broke it in.

 

[chardog]

Like Rardoin said... So much for starting a post, coming back an hour later to finish it and he has posted what I was thinking.

 

[bsekf]

The big problem is that a T10 is smaller than 1/8 inch. This thing is so small I can't imagine a center punch that small. Hate to destroy the bridge, it contains the rear leaf sight and the scope ring mounting holes, probably a $100 item. Dentist drill, that might work. I am going to think that they are hard. I have already tipped it upside down and tapped around the screw. I will try the penetrating oil and a dental pick.

Keep the ideas coming.

Bill

 

[carlsbad]

if it broke tightening, then you may have a chance. breaking would reduce the load on the screw and loosen the threads. If it broke trying to remove, you likely don't stand a chance since the threads are bound is what caused it to break. a machinist with a milling machine can make fast work of it.

--Jerry

 

[bsekf]

I was loosening them, try to get the bridge off the barrel. I broke 2 other T-10 bits. but they broke with a jagged edge so I could get ahold of them with needle nosed pliers. The last one broke flat. They don't look like they were loctited, so I hesitated to use heat.

 

[hogpatrol]

I have removed small broken screws in a Bridgeport with a small carbide two flute end mill or drill at the highest speed. This is an example, 3/32. I would not attempt this in a drill press.