screw heads sheared off

hamco · Post by **hamco** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:10 pm

I am replacing new door handles. I've taken off the old ones,but when screwing in the brass screws for the new handles, 3 of the screw heads have sheared off. I can't get a grip on anything to get them out and Iam stuck on what to do next without ruining the door. Can anyone suggest anything please? Also the door has glass panels which they have gotten some paint on the glass. Any suggestions for getting gloss paint off of glass would be welcome.
Thanks

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:25 pm

Removing the paint is the easy bit. Use a razor blade or stanley knife blade. As long as it is glass nor polycarbonate, perspex or stained/transfers.

As for the screws, sound like perhps you been doing them up a tad too tight, or not drilling a big enough pilot hole.

I think what id be inclined to do if theres not enough stuck out is to very carefully chisel a small piece away that will be covered by the handle once refitted. That will allow you to get some vise grips or similar onto it.

Drilling the screw could be another option, but id guess the screws could be a bit small to make this viable...

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 7:44 pm

this has happens as hitch says not drilling a big enough pilot hole. sometimes you can just about get a screw in at the side of it. alternativly see if you can get some bigger handles. them make sure you drill a good pilot hole.
when putting brass screws in there should be very little resistence.

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:30 pm

Are you a fan of impact drivers to avoid pilot holes or are they too brutal in this scenario

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:36 pm

ski they are totally inapropriate for this job. with brass screws easy easy catchy monkey springs to mind.
impact drivers are great for whacking normal screws in tough circumstances.

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:45 pm

I often think that I go for the impact drive too quickly as the result with it with the longer screw and/or thicker/harder wood is so good.

Cheers

Gadget · Post by **Gadget** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:49 pm

[quote="skiking"]with the longer screw and/or thicker/harder

I totally agree!

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:50 pm

I'm starting to learn, even if it is by mistake

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:54 pm

skiking wrote:I'm starting to learn, even if it is by mistake

best way of learning.
though it doesnt feel like it at the time

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 9:32 am

Brass is too soft to take much torque. I drill a good pilot and then run a steel screw in and out to cut the thread. The brass screws then go in nicely with no damaged heads.

DWD

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:03 am

dewaltdisney wrote:Brass is too soft to take much torque. I drill a good pilot and then run a steel screw in and out to cut the thread. The brass screws then go in nicely with no damaged heads.

DWD

Top Tip

I'll be filing that one away for the future

Gadget · Post by **Gadget** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:55 am

dewaltdisney wrote:Brass is too soft to take much torque. I drill a good pilot and then run a steel screw in and out to cut the thread. The brass screws then go in nicely with no damaged heads.

DWD

Sometimes the handle packs come with a steel screw just for doing that!

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:10 pm

not the cheap stuff I have bought!! Where is best place to buy decent door furniture?

hamco · Post by **hamco** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:48 pm

thanks for your help everybody. I know what to do next time. I'll have a go with a chisel meantime and see if I can get them out.

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:06 pm

I always like to put brass screws in by hand, or screws in anything delicate. Its supprising how easy it is to feel the feedback that you get from a good screwdriver handle