Avoiding or removing broken tuner screws

[Gavin1393]

Not too many have posted issues on this but I know I have snapped a few in my 28 builds to date!!

The best solution is to avoid the problem in the first place. Using a 2mm drill bit, drill the hole for tuner screw to the appropriate depth, then use the screw started bit from the Guitar Repair Tool Kit pictured below.

If you choose to ignore this and break the screw in the hole you have little option but to use the screw extractor (pictured below) and then plug the hole, repaint and start again with that hole.

[keloooe]

That was the first thing I thought of Gav!!!

[Gavin1393]

What was?

[MikeL]

You guys with the cool toys .... My kit comprises a jigsaw, hammer drill, screwdrivers and pliers

[wokkaboy]

thanks for the tips Gav, I've never broken a tuner screw (touch wood) but have broken the drill at least twice. I use a 1.5mm drill for a tighter grip on the thread so my risk of breaking a 1.5mm drill is much higher.
What do those kits cost roughly ?

[keloooe]

Quote from Gavin1393 on June 6, 2013, 10:41
What was?

The Screwdriver set and the cutter was the first thing I thought of!!!

[Gavin1393]

The screw extractor kit is a ridiculous $65....so avoidance is far better than needing a cure. The tool kit was $40 which I also felt was on the expensive side, but I liked the kit so much I bought a second one... actually the second one was forced on me because the screw starter bit (which is extremely useful) snapped in one of the metal tuner cases because the metal hole was too narrow. I now check these every time....expensive lesson learned!

[keloooe]

Yer, I have the screwdriver set waiting for me to pay up the $136 (my order also has a razor file, an overwound humbucker, the ESP Multi Spanner, and also a Tremolo Spring Installer)

[rhay]

One of the pre-toy period methods used to be using a check-plate and drill - cheap but not always easy.

It involved using a piece of steel, with a hole the size of the screw shank, as a guide - check-plate. The plate is then clamped over the broken screw, aligned with the guide hole directly over the top, then carefully use a drill bit to drill out the stuck screw shank.

It was advisable to flatten-off the exposed end of the screw (if possible), so the drill would not be deflected by a burr. It was also a good idea to get one of the older tradesmen to do fix........it was pretty tricky.

I reckon $65 sounds pretty good!

[dingobass]

Like Gav, I bought a second screw driver set but not 'cause I broke one... just 'cause I loved it so much I wanted a spare. (ended up giving to a buddy for his Birthday, he loves it as much as I do)

The screw extractor kit is one of the best gadgets I own.
The plug cutter has come in very handy on a few refit, restoration and upgrade jobs.
It has more than paid for itself

The thing with good quality tools is this. Pay the dollars and you will have a tool that should last a lifetime AND pay for it's self.