Broken screw in pickup mount hole

[seagulc]

I just finished drilling the holes to mount my pickup rings to the guitar, and one of the 4 screws broke at the head when I was about to finish screwing it in. The screw is now stuck in the body and I have no idea how to remove it - stupid cheap screws. Anyone have tips?

 

[Mor Paul]

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=519.0

DO NOT USE A DREMEL

DO NOT USE EXTRACTORS

There is one, and only ONE way to effectively remove the screws broken below grade.

First of all, the screw is in there because its TIGHT to begin with, so the extractor is not going to do much, as it took a full slot on the head to break it clean off instead of moving the threads.

Here's how to fix it.

Go down to the local hobby shop, but also, welding supply places have similar.  Get some steel tubing that is "just bigger" than the body of the screw.  Now take your dremel, or a hand file, and make some nice even, and sharp, V notches in the end of the tubing. Cut about an inch of the tubing (with the notches on the end) and place it in a crank drill.  Now drill over the end of the broken screw - in the same direction you want to turn the screw.  Go slow, light pressure and remove wood a bit at a time.  Soon, the screw will come out, with a little wooden plug too.  Now, go back down to the hobby shop get some small maple dowel, and plug the hole.  When the glue is dry, redrill it.  And try again.  You'll not see "the repair" because the tuner and screw head cover it.

This is the only way... trust me trust me trust me.

My reference is Frank Ford:  www.frets.com

I've used this method myself on several used guitars I've gotten, that had broken tuner screws.  In every case, it worked flawlessly.

Should be able to be adapted for pickup mounting rings.

 

[jackthehack]

A pair of small needle-nosed vise-grips will allow you to get a hold of and screw it back out; they can come in handy around the house as well.

I've had this happen a couple of times with tuner and P90 mounting screws; to avoid make sure you drill the pilot holes deep enough, and lightly lube the screw with something - people here have suggested everything from soap to goose grease before - before installing.

Same tip/trick will work for when you ream out those tiny Phillips slots instead of busting the head of the screw off...

 

[Watershed]

This guy did a great job:
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=10082.0

This is also a screw extractor:
http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/broken%20screw%20extractor.jpg

I think CB was talking about a mechanic's screw extractor:
http://z.about.com/d/homerepair/1/5/V/3/-/-/screw_extractor.jpg
This is what you would use to get out a neck insert.

 

[seagulc]

Thanks for the tips guys - I couldn't get the screw out but there was enough leeway to move the mount over a little and drill a new hole. This time I made sure to drill deeper and I lubed the screws a little, it all worked out.

 

[-CB-]

No I am NOT talking about that typical screw extractor you mentioned last

I am talking about a home brew type, tubular, to fit tiny screws, of the first type you mentioned.

I've never seen a commercial one small enough for tuner screws, pickup ring screws, etc.... so you make your own.

 

[Watershed]

No I am NOT talking about that typical screw extractor you mentioned last

I am talking about a home brew type, tubular, to fit tiny screws, of the first type you mentioned.

I've never seen a commercial one small enough for tuner screws, pickup ring screws, etc.... so you make your own.

Hey my bad, it's great idea.
You may want to check these out.
http://tltools.com/tlt/product.asp?mscssid=BRQNDBN7QV8H8KMHENJWDGC19NFC05M8

 

[-CB-]

I've seen those.  Never used one.  The tubing trick is too inexpensive for me to try anything else - cheepo bastardo moi.