Broke a screw in fiberglass. How do i remove?

[Speedling]

Installing screws for my cockpit cover and apparently needed a slightly larger bit size or something because it snapped the head right off.
No idea what to do now so put the tools away. Best thought so far is to drill right next to it and cover with another snap but then it will stick up a bit.

 

[mark_m]

Installing screws for my cockpit cover and apparently needed a slightly larger bit size or something because it snapped the head right off.
No idea what to do now so put the tools away. Best thought so far is to drill right next to it and cover with another snap but then it will stick up a bit.

View attachment 41506

Do you have easy outs or equivalent set of screw extractors? I had to drill out the fuel hatch bolts and it worked for me on a few of them. I think it would do nicely to remove the broken portion in the fiberglass.

 

[mark_m]

Do you have easy outs or equivalent set of screw extractors? I had to drill out the fuel hatch bolts and it worked for me on a few of them. I think it would do nicely to remove the broken portion in the fiberglass.

https://www.google.com/express/product/12092250789308543035_447222299843447702_6136318?mall=Texas&directCheckout=1

Got this set at Home Depot

 

[itsdgm]

Can you get to it underneath? If so, use pliers and twist it back out the way it came from.

 

[Speedling]

The screw is very small. #6 i believe. I can try the easy out but going to be extremely hard to get it started.

The screw is hardly through the other side. Can't get pliers on it.

 

[Speedling]

Btw the response time of members on this website is absolutely amazing.

 

[Bruce]

Have you tried drilling into it? You might start with a very small bit then keep going up in size.

 

[Julian]

I'd probably drill it out, fill with 5200 and then redrill it.

 

[mark_m]

The screw is very small. #6 i believe. I can try the easy out but going to be extremely hard to get it started.

The screw is hardly through the other side. Can't get pliers on it.

The smallest easy out thing should be able to drill into the broken screw, once you have the 'tunnel' drilled into the screw you flip the bit and use the reverse thread extractor tip. It should work well even with the small #6 screw stud. At worst, it will drill it out and then you will be good to go. I had a panic moment when the screw securing the port Bimini head broke off. I used easy out to drill it out.

 

[itsdgm]

I'd imagine that once the drill bit "bites" It'll probably screw itself all the way through if you start drilling it out.

 

[ncnmra]

I don't have anything to add, other than if you keep going with the holes, use the recommended drill, but add a few in/out strokes with the drill to enlarge the hole. I found that the snaps didn't go in very easily unless I enlarged the hole very slightly, then they went in like butter. Additionally, if the hole is too small, it will likely cause the gelcoat to crack. This was especially true of the snaps that needed to go into the metal frame of the window.

 

[Speedling]

I don't have anything to add, other than if you keep going with the holes, use the recommended drill, but add a few in/out strokes with the drill to enlarge the hole. I found that the snaps didn't go in very easily unless I enlarged the hole very slightly, then they went in like butter. Additionally, if the hole is too small, it will likely cause the gelcoat to crack. This was especially true of the snaps that needed to go into the metal frame of the window.

Well, i have here an ebay special. No instructions. Clips for on the windshield but they pop off super easy. Put some short screws through those but not they pull up that rubber strip. I guess i go buy longer screws or get more of the screw in type to re do it.

Tried the easy out, won't bite. Too much angle how it snapped.
Tried to do a small pilot hole with a 1/16" and no luck there either.
Pliars just ain't happening.

There is JUST enough sticking out that i may be able to take a dremel and make a flat cut and try to drill in center again. Maybe use a pointy stone bit for getting it started?

 

[LyonsAR210]

I broke off a screw taking off one of my seats...I had to cut it off with a dremel tool. Was able to get below the fiberglass just enough so it didn't protrude, then used some 5200 to cover it (it was behind the seat so wasn't worried about the finish). If it shows, you might try a patch kit.

 

[itsdgm]

if you have to make the hole too big for a screw to hold The snap while getting it out, You could always through bolt it in place.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Looks like you're going to need to make a mess to fix it. Try the dremel slit first. If that fails, drill holes all of the way around that broken stud deep enough to get your plyers on it and get a bite. Grab it and turn it out. After its out, fill the area with micro balloons and gel coat it. After that's all dry try it again.

If you can see it and get to it on the backside, this tactic might work from the back but a very delicate task for sure.

 

[Speedling]

Well, i already asked my BIL for my gelcoat back for fixing other cracks and scrapes so cutting it out somehow may be only option but fixable.

 

[Bruce]

Is a snap going over it? If so can you drill 1/16 holes around it in a circle until it comes loose then fill the hole with 5200 or epoxy, let it dry then redrill and cover the spot with the snap?

 

[Speedling]

Is a snap going over it? If so can you drill 1/16 holes around it in a circle until it comes loose then fill the hole with 5200 or epoxy, let it dry then redrill and cover the spot with the snap?

Correct. In fact, if I feel confident enough about the dremel I may just leave it in and try and screw in next to it. There is a small crack in the gelcoat but not the end of the world there. It's a well used and abused boat!
Just trying to get this done before @Shelbyville !

 

[Glassman]

Sell the boat.

 

[Speedling]

Sell the boat.

And build a new one? I could use the motors I guess...