Sheared off screws

[J.H.C.]

Hello esteemed luthiers!
While installing a new bridge the other day I clumsily broke off two of the screws holding it down. In hindsight I probably drilled the holes too small. Is there a simple way of getting them out again?
The only way I see it is by drilling a hole right next to it and kinda trying to yank it out sideways...

 

[dwizum]

Yes, sometimes the best option is drilling a bigger hole, getting the broken part out, and then filling the hole with a dowel plug and starting over. At least with a bridge you have the advantage that no one will ever see the repair.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

There’s this. You can buy an extractor like this but you can also make one that’s good enough for a couple of uses from brass tubing. She uses a dowel to plug the hole which is fine but a grain matched plug is even better.

 

[J.H.C.]

Yeah, I'll try the drill and plug thing. Thx for responding, guys!
Oh, by the way, does it matter what wood the dowels are?

 

[vid1900]

If the plug is under the bridge, then you don't have to worry about the species of wood too much.

I often use Bamboo BBQ Skewers in #6 and #8 screw holes.

Even though it's technically a grass, Bamboo is harder than many woods.

 

[J.H.C.]

Cool! Think i got some at home.