Head Snapped Off

[djm2]

Hello,

Perhaps somebody here can give me a tip. I had replaced the handle on my DE89 with the Ikon handle and somehow -- I suspect that somebody dropped it while cleaning -- the head snapped off with the screw embedded in the handle and slightly recessed. I doubt that I can get a pliers on it, and if I can I am not going to get any leverage to remove it. The DE89 head is clearly shot.

I'd like to safe and use the handle on the R41. Does anybody have an idea as to how I can remove that embedded, threaded screw?

Thanks in advance.

 

[cb91710]

Use a reverse-twist drill bit.
Attempting to drill it out with a normal bit will also tighten it, making it harder to remove with an Easy-Out.
Using a reverse-twist bit will not only not tighten it... it might remove it without needed to progress to the Easy-Out.

 

[BBrad]

Use a reverse-twist drill bit.
Attempting to drill it out with a normal bit will also tighten it, making it harder to remove with an Easy-Out.
Using a reverse-twist bit will not only not tighten it... it might remove it without needed to progress to the Easy-Out.

+1 - best way to do it!

 

[Trouthunter]

I would go with a screw extractor - do it right to protect the handle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw_extractor

i use these all the time. If needed, drill a small stayer hole in the threaded shaft piece to be removed, then the extractor will bite and back out the stud.

 

[celestino]

How unfortunate and good luck!

 

[tinashubby]

The threaded portion of the head shouldn't really be in the handle tight, unless it bottomed in the threaded handle. You may be able to do something as simple as carefully gluing something such as round toothpick (with the tip squared off) to the broken end with some five minute epoxy and just unscrew it? I'd give it a try before breaking out the power tools.

 

[VerbaVolant]

Hello,

Perhaps somebody here can give me a tip....

The threaded portion of the head shouldn't really be in the handle tight, unless it bottomed in the threaded handle...

Pictures, we want pictures!

 

[JeffOlson]

Good advice from several members.

There seem to be quite a few posts recently about pot-metal failures. They are almost as common as the home-button failures on my family's iPhones...

 

[djm2]

OK, some good ideas. It might take me a while to get the kit I need and do the project -- I am blessed with being slammed with clients right now, and in today's economy I don't want to hose that up -- but I have made some notes and will get this done. And OK, I will take some before and after pics to let you know that this is legit.

 

[Invicta]

The threaded portion of the head shouldn't really be in the handle tight, unless it bottomed in the threaded handle. You may be able to do something as simple as carefully gluing something such as round toothpick (with the tip squared off) to the broken end with some five minute epoxy and just unscrew it? I'd give it a try before breaking out the power tools.

I agree. It cannot be tight and should come out easily after a suitable diameter plastic or similar stick is epoxy glued on. However keep the epoxy off the handle.

 

[Jim]

Quick fix- ball up a rubberband, add some pressure and twist- it may back out easily.

 

[MacDaddy]

Quick fix- ball up a rubberband, add some pressure and twist- it may back out easily.

I'm with Jim, here. Before you get crazy with the tools or glue, try something like that or a pencil eraser that will get enough purchase on the sheared end of the shaft to twist it out. When my wife broke mine there was enough left that I was able to just press my thumb down into the hole and back the broken piece out. It doesn't take any real force at all, you just need to be able to get to it.

 

[djm2]

I almost embarrassed to say that it ended up being quite easy. I simply pressed the fleshy portion of a finger into into the opening where the flesh snagged an edge of the broken screw, and backed it out. I was clearly over-thinking the difficulty for this problem, but I will remember these solutions for other problems. Thanks all.

 

[tinashubby]

Glad to hear about your success, well sort of...
My next suggestion would have been to just send it to me and I'd dispose of it for you.

 

[Copierguy]

Post a picture of your thumb at least.....these guys are big on pics.....

Congrats!!