Broken Screw Removal............

[Laredo]

I have a Fender TeleStyle P-Bass and the String Tree screw is broken in the Headstock............I just got the bass and noticed the round String Tree was loose, so I just gently tried to tighten it when the screw just broke off clean with the neck. Since it happened with so little pressure I was surprised...........Upon further inspection it looks as if it was a cheap screw, that had a possible bubble, or defect in the metal. What's done is done, but I was just hoping to get some pointers on removing what is left of the screw to re-install the String Tree..............Has anyone run into this Any help, or advise, is greatly appreciated!

[PJaye]

Here's one way that I know of:

If it's too close to grab now, you can use a small diameter Dremel burr (a narrow one, like 1/32", 1/16") and carefully remove just enough wood - moving around the screw counter-clockwise. (Try to keep pressure off the screw itself). After, grasp the exposed peice with kneedle-nose pliers. A steady hand and precision is needed.

However, if the tree (part) is wide enough (most likely), any blemish from the Dremel cut will be covered when you reinstall it. You also might want to check the depth of the factory hole against the replacement screw so that it doesn't happen again! Use a pinvise and small drills there.

[Ely]

Oh man, I was trying to install some EMGs in my bass last night and first two of the screws stripped, then one actually broke off halfway in the bass. It was horrible. I took it to a repair guy, but I don't know if my baby will ever be the same.

[Cutty]

Originally Posted by Laredo

I have a Fender TeleStyle P-Bass and the String Tree screw is broken in the Headstock............I just got the bass and noticed the round String Tree was loose, so I just gently tried to tighten it when the screw just broke off clean with the neck. Since it happened with so little pressure I was surprised...........Upon further inspection it looks as if it was a cheap screw, that had a possible bubble, or defect in the metal. What's done is done, but I was just hoping to get some pointers on removing what is left of the screw to re-install the String Tree..............Has anyone run into this Any help, or advise, is greatly appreciated!

Yes i did!i had to drill it out with a small drill just a tad larger then the broken screw,do it on a bench drill and then you know you will be drilling vertical,afterwards, i filled the hole with epoxy,let it set,and re-drilled a small hole for a new string tree,job done!and you can't see anything,hope this helps.

[Pilgrim]

Probably the strongest fix would be to carefully remove material around the old screw using a tiny Dremel bit until you can grab it with small needlenose pliers and twist it out. Then you need to plug the hole; drill an appropriate size hole using a drill press, insert/glue a hardwood dowel into the hole, cut off and finish the dowel, then re-drill a pilot hole in the dowel and mount a new string tree. If this is done with great attention to detail, the resulting dowel plug should be small enough to be invisible under the round string tree.

[lonote]

Go to the hardware store and get an "easy out." It will have instructions.

[Jazzdogg]

Laredo, if you have good Karma this kind of broken screw remover will work without touching the wood itself:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...crew%20removal

When those don't work, these will:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...broken%20screw

Good luck!

[202dy]

Stewart MacDonald used sell a set of screw extractors that looked like small precision screwdrivers. But instead of a flat or Philips head they had four or more hardened points. The points are pushed hard into the broken screw and the tool is used back out the screw like a regular screwdriver. They no longer appear to be in there online inventory. If you can find these tools they will serve you well.