Broken tuner mounting screws

[Mound of Sound]

So, I just buy this G&L L-2500 from the guitarsbyleo.com forum. It's a 2001-02, incredible shape. The thing is almost unplayed. Looks and plays beautiful. I was going to change the strings today, and I noticed something disturbing. 2 of the screws that hold the B string tuner on the back of the headstock are broken. It looks as if the heads of the screws are snapped off.

If I need to take this to a professional to get fixed, I have no problem with this. I'd like to try to take a shot at it myself first. I need to somehow get the old screws out. I know they make screw extractors, but I don't know if they make them small enough for screws like this.

Also, anyone know the size of the screws used? I'd like to see if I can get replacements for them at a hardware store without having to buy a whole new set of tuners. I could probably get by using the 2 good screws on opposite corners. Let me know what all of you experts think about this....

Thanks in advance.

[whitedk57]

Even if you used a screw extractor, you could always bore out a bigger hole and put a dowel in it. Wood-glue it in and then saw it off flush.

[Chopper]

google

[VS]

Carefully remove one of the screws from another tuner and take it with you to the hardware store. Looks like a #4 wood screw by 3/8's length, but it's nearly impossible to tell by the picture. It also looks like it had a hard fall or something of the nature. The way the plate is shifted and the metallic residue to the right of each hole gives that indication. -Luke

[VS]

PM'ed.

[GreggBummer]

Similar situation here:

I am refinishing/modding a 1994 Fender MIM Squire Series PBass. When I purchased the bass (for $10 at a thrift store) it was in bad shape. It looked like it was left outside for a few months. All of the hardware was rusted.

During the removal of the tuners, one of the screws snapped off at the head, with the shaft stuck inside the wood. Very similar to the OP's situation.

I don't have a screw extractor, so I may have to buy one. Not sure how to proceed after that.

FWIW: This is the biggest, most complex mod/refinish I have tried to date. I am very new at this stuff.

[VS]

If you can find a screw extractor small enough for the job, this should help.

http://gzunino.wordpress.com/2008/02...-broken-screw/

-Luke

[GreggBummer]

Originally Posted by VS

If you can find a screw extractor small enough for the job, this should help.

http://gzunino.wordpress.com/2008/02...-broken-screw/

-Luke

That IS helpful! Thanks Luke!

[GreggBummer]

If I can't find a screw extractor, I may "chip around" the hole. The top of the remainder of the screw is sort of exposed. I will then dremmel a slot and extract with a flat head screw driver.

I don't know where I will find a dowel that small... but I can use wood filler in the hole. Or maybe epoxy would be better? I'll have to redrill the hole after its filled anyway. The hole will be covered by the tuner once it's installed.

Thanks again.

[praisegig]

You can make your own extractor from a piece of steel tubing and file teeth into the end. This acts like a small tubular hole saw that cuts the wood around the shank of the screw, when deep enough then pop the area out with a punch. Then drill hole for a plug. I've got a few that my dad had, and they work pretty well.

Since there is no load on the screw, you might be able to loosen it by using a piece of rod super glued to the screw shank. Once cure, slowly twist the rod CCW to remove.

Also, using a small drill bit, drill numerous hole around the outside of the shank, then break the wood/screw out using a small punch. Fill and redrill

Added link...http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...ractor-14.aspx