Broke tuning screws off in headstock

[Pacifik]

I was tearing down my diplomat and broke two of the screws that were on the tuning keys at about a 1/16" down in the hole. I did a lot of reading on how to repair it myself, but didn't like the idea of using a home made serrated tube to pull it out. What I ended up doing was using a very narrow tapered diamond drill bit and a drill press. Using that I put a hole down the length of the screw. Then bumped the size up with some titanium bits one by one until I could get a small dowel to fit the hole. These are tools I already had, but it ended up working as well if not better than the tube extracting method I kept reading about. A luthier is probably the easiest ruote to take, just not the cheapest and I like to do things myself. Thought I'd share, unfortunately I didn't take any picks of the process. I'll remember to if there's a next time, knock on wood.

[96tbird]

Better than a tube? A self guiding, zero chance of wandering, one operation, serrated tube? I doubt it, sounds like it took you a while and a drill press is mandatory. Glad you had success but you are wrong about the brass tube trick.

[Pacifik]

I don't doubt that the tube method works fine, I just don't want to make a tool when I have so many available. It took me about 45 minutes to get everything setup and install the dowels. The diamond bit I have doesn't wander it's less than a half inch long, and its actually a bore grinder on a very small scale. I use it for making holes in the side of screws and small chain links to make shift linkage.