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What screwdriver for 1171 threaded pins?

wagudc
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
On similar type gun screws and other antique watch bracelets I have soaked in penetrating oil overnight and as @Archer suggested- made sure I have made any modifications necessary to the blade to meet the head perfectly. Some of the flush-fit blued decorative screws on antique firearms- you only get one shot.
Holding the bracelet in a bench vice and the blade by a locking pliers has allowed me great control and slow application of downward force as I turn when necessary.
If you take it easy and slow and think it through before you have at it, it will come out easier than you think.

Thank you, all good advice. Had some barbarian not destroyed the screw head before I got to it, I am sure it would have worked. The walls of the slot are about 135° from horizontal.
 
JwRosenthal
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wagudc wagudc
Thank you, all good advice. Had some barbarian not destroyed the screw head before I got to it, I am sure it would have worked. The walls of the slot are about 135° from horizontal.
I am pretty handy when it comes to this kind of stuff- but others are handier. Perhaps give your watchmaker a whack at it before you throw the baby out with the bath water
- and worst case, they can possibly tap and redrill for a lager screw?
 
Dan S
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I am pretty handy when it comes to this kind of stuff- but others are handier. Perhaps give your watchmaker a whack at it before you throw the baby out with the bath water
- and worst case, they can possibly tap and redrill for a lager screw?

If you are careful, you can often drill out the screw without damaging the threads using a bit that is slightly smaller than the ID of the threads. Once the screw is hollowed out, the screw can either be removed, or the remnants can be carefully picked out of the hole. You can touch-up the threads afterwards with a tap if you're worried about burrs. I have done this many times on somewhat larger screws, and my watchmaker has done it for me on bracelet screws, although I had to buy him lunch afterwards. 😀
Edited:
 
wagudc
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I am pretty handy when it comes to this kind of stuff- but others are handier. Perhaps give your watchmaker a whack at it before you throw the baby out with the bath water
- and worst case, they can possibly tap and redrill for a lager screw?

The nearest real watchmaker is a 5+ hours drive. I took it to our small town clock and watch guy, and he took one look at the screw and said he wouldn't touch it. I plan to take it to the watchmaker next time I'm in the city. For now, it is fine. I have to have it on the smallest micro adjust position If I can get the last link out, I'll be able to back it off a bit.
 
wagudc
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Dan S Dan S
If you are careful, you can often drill out the screw without damaging the threads using a bit that is slightly smaller than the ID of the threads. Once the screw is hollowed out, the screw can either be removed, or the remnants can be carefully picked out of the hole. You can touch-up the threads afterwards with a tap if you're worried about burrs. I have done this many times on somewhat larger screws, and my watchmaker has done it for me on bracelet screws, although I had to buy him lunch afterwards. 😀

I thought that would be the case. It is not something I am up to doing myself. Sounds like a job for a watchmaker.
 
Dan S
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wagudc wagudc
I thought that would be the case. It is not something I am up to doing myself. Sounds like a job for a watchmaker.

Or a good machinist who does precision work, if you have anyone like that around.
 
wagudc
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Dan S Dan S
Or a good machinist who does precision work, if you have anyone like that around.

Good idea.
 
JwRosenthal
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wagudc wagudc
Good idea.
If there is a gunsmith in the area- they may be able to do it too. I have had gunsmiths get 100 year old sheared screws out and look like nothing happened...although rarely this small.
 
wagudc
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Just an update for you all. When I was in a bigger city I was able to take the bracelet to a watchmaker that was able to get the screw out. He had to clean the slot up with a rotary tool of some sort, but he was able to get it out.
 
Denarius
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hoipolloi hoipolloi
Sometimes they used Loctite ....🙁

Was going to say this, Loctite depending on what strength could be stronger than the screw head itself, in this case heat on the thread side would be needed to release the thread.
 
JwRosenthal
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Good news! Was the threaded slot salvageable so use new factory screws?
 
wagudc
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Good news! Was the threaded slot salvageable so use new factory screws?

Yes it should work out if I need to ever add the link back a new screw should do it.
 
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