I have a FCS screw that is worn and can not get it to come out. I’ve tried bigger size hex wrenches to remove it, but none will catch anymore. It is in the plug and none of it is exposed where I can grab it with some wrench or vice grip. And it is not exposed on the bottom of the plug either. It looks as though if I could get one more turn out of it I could get some vice grips on it and remove it. I can see the head and see that it is worn all around the head. I’m currently trying to attach a hex wrench to it with some fast acting epoxy, and hopefully when it dries I can turn it enough to expose it to get the vice grip on it. Is that a good way of doing this? Does anyone have any ideas, in case this plan doesn’t work? Anyone have something like this happen before, and have a trick? I talked with someone who has the screw set tool and they said it won’t remove the screw but will retread the hole afterward. Any help would be great.
I have used a dremel with a small grinder tip (dental)on the screw.It heats up the screw and the plastic melts enough for the screw to fall into the base of the plug.Then use a new screw to rethread the plug.
Good luck,
Ian
Oversize hex and glue have always worked for me. You can get these hex screwdrivers from Sears. They give a fair bit more purchase on the head. But if it’s stripped already, then drill it out
Then drill a new hole on the other side of the box for a new hex screw
Don’t lubricate screws, tho - they just cut through the fin tab!
I have had some luck with star ( Torx) bits. They are slightly tapered, so sometimes you can jam 'em in, and with some pressure maintained it can get ya that last little bit to get it out.It might be a #15 torx that works, I don’t exactly recall.
Then, replace all the little hex head screws in all the other FCS plugs. 'Cos chances are they are a bit worn too. And they’re cheap. Lube 'em with just a skosh of wax and there ya go.
Hope that’s of use
doc…
An easy out tool is what I use…but if that’s not in your realm…just use a old hex key and superglue it in…let it dry completely…and
Wal-la…set screw out !
Well, i tried the the epoxy to the screw and hex wrench, didn’t work, maybe made it worse becasue there maybe some epoxy in the tread now. I started to do the dremel with the bit, but it was just cutting into the plug. Thanks for the ideas, but nothing has worked. I’m starting to think my only choice is too remove the plug and replace it. Thanks again.
Do what Herb said - use an easy-out bit. Ask for one at Home Depot. Get it small enough to barely fit into the head… cinchy
ok I’ll stop the home depot today to get one. I’ll just ask someone there for it, cuz I have no idea. Thanks again.
Take an FCS screw. with you to Home Depot. Show the guy the screw and he’ll get you the easy-out you need.
I always know I can count on Swaylocks to get me where I want to go. Thanks guys I got it out. Kinda a combo of things. Went to home depot and yea I took a screw and key with me. Found a guy and asked about an easy out bit, he looked at me like a lost puppy. So I looked around now knowing that there should be a bit like it, so I looked in the drill bits and down a screw extractor kit, so I bought. Brought it home and tried to screw it into the screw but it wouldn’t catch. So I kept screwing it, finally it didn’t catch (screw into the screw) but it must of heated up the plug and pushed the screw thru the down. Grabbed some plyers and pulled it out. Got new screw and re-did the hole. Thanks guys, I won’t of known what to do. Thanks Again, super easy after I listen to you guys.