Don't Let Broken Fasteners Break Your Heart

摘要

Picture the scene - you are tightening or more likely trying to undo a screw, stud or bolt and that dread hits your stomach as the torque suddenly changes, it all gets easier and the head or stud just comes away. Horror! It always happens with an assembly/job that is near completion or has a great deal of time/money invested in it. This has happened to me personally quite a few times. In recent years dealing with vintage cars (1930's) I have been asked many times if I can remove bolts/studs that have broken into old castings etc. There is unfortunately no definitive solution to this sort of problem. I have found that each one is a special. However, I thought penning this article would assist newcomers and maybe there would be some ideas for the more experienced to carry away in the 'techniques to pull me out of the mire' toolbox you carry in your head.