broken plane screw

[Tim Bieker]

Hi guys,
I have just inherited a decent type 16 no 4 stanley from my wife's grandfather. I also got a #78 and a #39 3/4. All are needing of attention and I'm confident that I can get them back to looking good and being good workers. My only issue is the no 4 rear tote screw. The tote is long gone and the screw to hold it is broken flush with the base. I have seen easy outs and have an idea how to use them but this is quite small and on an angle. Is this really my only choice to try or is there another idea someone here has tried. I'm sure this sort of thing has happened before. Thanks Tim

[Jim Koepke]

Howdy Tim,

If you are in the Pacific Northwest you are welcome to my help.

Otherwise removing the broken screw depends on what you have available to you in the way of shop tools.

The first step would be getting some oil into the threads to help in the removal process. The longer the oil has to soak in, the better.

Easy outs are great in theory. The hardest part is in drilling the pilot hole in what is left of the broken bolt. If you have a reversible drill motor you might want to see if any of the larger hardware stores in your area can supply left hand drill bits. My experience in using these is the remnants of a broken screw or bolt is removed without the need of an easy out. The thread on the Stanley tote is 12-20. My memory of what size easy out and drill bit combination should be used on that isn't working at the moment.

If there isn't a local supply, try McMaster-Carr:

https://www.mcmaster.com/left-hand-drill-bits

jtk

[lowell holmes]

https://www.homedepot.com/s/easy%2520out?NCNI-5

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-5-Piece-5-in-Steel-Screw-Extractor-Set/999957791?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-ToolsAndHardware-_-MechanicsTools-_-999957791:Kobalt&CAWELAID=&kpid=999957791&CAGPSPN=pla&store_code=2821&k_clickID=go_625706834_34613746030_111132553990_au d-376239882613:pla-258645562453_c_9027818&gclid=CjwKCAiAl7PgBRBWEiwAzFhmmoS1GoLk1B3LIf-vfghW5ITJGxKbEV5cqy8IJv-XJyY3ZgeN1HOsCBoCLhMQAvD_BwE



Both stores have easy outs

[Rob Paul]

Use penetrant to lube the threads and let it soak in for a day. Place a nut over the screw remnant and tack weld it to the screw (but not to the casting). Use a wrench to unscrew the nut/screw. If that doesn't work, weld on a new post (although its a little tricky to get the angle exactly right. I used an old partial handle split in half to create a guide)

[Tim Bieker]

thank you, I will try the easy outs or left hand bits first. Welding skills a little lacking