What Method for Removing Broken Screw?

[swathdiver]

Finally getting around to building the Hawken pistol my father gave me for Christmas in 1981!

Some time ago I attempted to fit the wedge plates and broke a brass screw off inside the walnut stock. The remnant is about 1/4" deep. What would be the best way to remove this broken screw without damaging the stock and being able to reuse the hole for a new screw? Do they make easy outs this small? Drill through it? I'd hate to stain the stock with 3-in-1 oil.

 

[64Springer]

Drill it out.

No need for lubrication because it's a brass screw.

Plug the hole with a hardwood dowel using waterproof glue. Don't use poplar or oak from the DIY store. Maple, cherry, walnut, etc.

Pre-drill for new screw.

Insert new screw.

Don't snap off new screw.

 

[ppg1949]

Somewhere there is an easy out that small but where is the question? You might try a left hand drill bit. They sometimes will work like an easy out.
I bought some lefties just for that reason.
Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[64Springer]

Is the screw flush with the stock.

If so, remove some wood from around the screw and use needle nose pliers to grab the screw and twist.

You'll still want to plug the existing hole with a hardwood dowel.

Not poplar or oak from the DIY store. Use maple, cherry, walnut, etc.

 

[M. De Land]

Finally getting around to building the Hawken pistol my father gave me for Christmas in 1981!

Some time ago I attempted to fit the wedge plates and broke a brass screw off inside the walnut stock. The remnant is about 1/4" deep. What would be the best way to remove this broken screw without damaging the stock and being able to reuse the hole for a new screw? Do they make easy outs this small? Drill through it? I'd hate to stain the stock with 3-in-1 oil.

I'd use a pointed soldering iron to heat the end of the broken screw shank to where it breaks it's grip on the wood but maintains the thread profile albeit a bit chard. I doubt it will even be seen under the wedge plate when completed. You should be able to back it out with needle nose pliers or some small nose forceps gotten at O'Rielly's auto .

 

[CuNosecap]

Search for screw extractor. Rockier has a tube like device that will cit a tube around the screw, leaving a hole for a plug. See if this link helps:
https://www.rockler.com/screw-extractor

 

[CuNosecap]

Those extractors are great for furniture but even the smallest will leave an unsightly hole that will be difficult to conceal or camouflage on a gun stock.
Best wishes for a happy result.

 

[swathdiver]

Is the screw flush with the stock.

It's about 1/4" below the depth of the inlet for the wedge plate.

Everyone has given great advice, thank you! I'll keep you posted on the results.

 

[deerstalkert]

if for some reason you are unable to extract that screw, an alternative is new escutcheons, slightly longer with the height the same. re-inlet the new hardware then drill a pilot hole for the screws. pilot holes are screws best friends.

 

[Encore50Cal]

Carbon Steel Screw Extractors - EZ Out

They have some small easy outs. You can google and find smaller if needed.

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

If you can drill a teensy hole down the center of a brass screw imbedded down in wood, you might as well drill it the rest of the way out.

 

[deerstalkert]

It's about 1/4" below the depth of the inlet for the wedge plate.

Everyone has given great advice, thank you! I'll keep you posted on the results.

so, Swathdiver, did you get unscrewed yet? however you do/did it please share. us old dogs love new tricks.