How do you remove a broken brass screw from my bath tub?
Question:I was trying to remove the pop-up from the bath tub when both brass screws or bolt heads snap off. The stem is sticking out and can easily be grabbed however the stem/screw will not budge. The screw is to small to drill. I used various lubricates to loosen it but that didn't work. would heat and lubricate work? or what else can I try??
Answers:
I wouldn't use heat, you may damage the tub. You can drill it out and use an easy out, I have some that are needle thin so it's out there. Go to "Ace hardware" or Home Depot, tell them the problem and the size of the screw and get an "E-Z out" and a drill to fit.
Heat the screw up, using a punch and hammer hit the screw sharply maybe 3 times and then try to get it out with vice -grips.
You can try to punch it out,. If that does not work, You will need to drill out the screw. Be very careful not to damage the threads. This is done by using a drill bit about 1-2 size's smaller than the screw. Then use WD40 on the holes, then take a drill bit one size larger in reverse direction to undo the screw.
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