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A tiny stripped screw on a Cessna 172 in Denver taught me a big lesson
I was doing an annual inspection and a Phillips head on an inspection plate just spun. I had to drill it out, which added two hours to the job. What's your go-to method for dealing with stuck fasteners without making a mess?
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joel2804mo ago
Actually, I'd go straight for drilling it out! All that heating and hammering can mess up the plate or surrounding metal. A good drill bit and steady hand gets it done clean and fast.
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karen3685mo ago
Ugh, stripped screws are the worst. Before I drill, I always try hitting it with some heat from a small torch, not directly on the screw but around the plate. That breaks the corrosion bond. Then I use an impact driver with the right bit and a solid whack from a hammer. It shocks it loose most of the time. If that fails, I'll carefully cut a slot with a dremel for a flathead screwdriver. Drilling is my absolute last resort.
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