Need help removing broken screw from RDA post

[NickWhit1992]

So, I was hanging out at a B&M I just found here, flirting with the gal behind the counter, and somehow I walked away with both a number, and an rda that a friend of hers was going to toss that she saved. It's almost identical to my beloved Helios, but slightly bigger. I've been looking for a bigger version of my Helios forever, so obviously I would love to be able to use it. The problem is, one of the center post holes has a screw stuck in it with the head snapped off below where I can grab it with pliers. I'm sure I have a suitable replacement screw, but how can I remove the broken one without destroying the post? Y'all have helped me greatly in the past, so don't fail me now!

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[roxynoodle]

You can try an easy out or drilling it, but I think I would recommend a vise to hold it. A drill press wouldn't hurt either due to the need to be precise.

 

[iamthevoice]

Use a screw extraction bit or drill out center of screw and insert a small bolt. Once threaded in, it has more friction than the screw against the post and you'll be able to grab it and back out the screw shaft from the post. Good luck! And good job with the number

 

[NickWhit1992]

You can try an easy out or drilling it, but I think I would recommend a vise to hold it. A drill press wouldn't hurt either due to the need to be precise.

I've got it locked in a vice right now. Unfortunately, I'm in Colorado, and my drill press is in Florida. I've got a carbide tip on my Dremel, I'm probably going to end up using that to try drilling it, but I'm waiting to see if I can find a better solution because I'm worried about slipping and ruining the threads.

Use a screw extraction bit or drill out center of screw and insert a small bolt. Once threaded in, it has more friction than the screw against the post and you'll be able to grab it and back out the screw shaft from the post. Good luck! And good job with the number

I've never seen an extraction bit small enough for this screw, unfortunately. I like the bolt idea though. As far as the number goes, she just wants me for my modding [emoji13]
She took one look at my redneck cardboard/duct tape dual 26650 tube and started drooling. Once I fogged out the shop in 3 hits, it was all over. Think maybe I'll call her up and invite her to an upcoming cloud competition I'll be competing in. Helluva first date, huh? [emoji41]

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[iamthevoice]

I've got a set similar to this: Alden 4507P Micro Grabit Broken Bolt Extractor 4 Piece Kit - Threading Tap Extractors - Amazon.com

 

[NickWhit1992]

I've got a set similar to this: Alden 4507P Micro Grabit Broken Bolt Extractor 4 Piece Kit - Threading Tap Extractors - Amazon.com

Wow, those definitely belong in my workshop. Or, since I'm here and it's not, my little tool kit. However, I've solved my problem. It occurred to me that I was looking at the problem like a normal, sane person. Once I turned my usual thought process towards it, I came up with a highly impractical, yet extremely effective way to fix my problem. I ripped the center post out of both drippers, then modified the bigger one to fit the post from my Helios. Problem solved! Works like a charm. So essentially, I just gutted an RDA that I paid for, to fix one I got for free. That's just how I roll [emoji111]
But thanks for your help, guys. I'm sure it'll help me out in the future.

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[David1975]

Do you have access to left handed drill bits? I wouldn't imagine the screws all that tightly screwed in (unless it's cross threaded), so a left handed drill bit and reversible drill would be my first choice.

 

[NickWhit1992]

Do you have access to left handed drill bits? I wouldn't imagine the screws all that tightly screwed in (unless it's cross threaded), so a left handed drill bit and reversible drill would be my first choice.

I gave up on removing it. Upon further inspection, I noticed the other ones were a little rusty, so I decided not to mess with it at all. Instead I took the center post from my Helios and swapped it into the as yet unidentified dripper.

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