No passwords, No popups, No cost, No AI:
we earn from 'affiliate link' purchases, making the site possible

Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

  The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989

-----

How to remove steel machine screws tapped into aluminum

8-32nf machine screws were used to tap a hole in an aluminum decorative front and left in place. I now have to remove the steel machine screws, but the aluminum fillings from the tapping are becoming trapped in the threads of the steel machine screws, are jamming, and causing the machine screws to break off in the aluminum. Is there any way that anyone knows of to remove these machine screws without breaking them?

Mike Tinker

2006

2006

Maybe dissolving them with nitric acid. It will attack steel but not aluminum. Confine the acid making a pool with putty to avoid run-off. Use rubber gloves ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , goggles ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , the minimum amount of acid and be careful. Disposal may require neutralization with an alkaline and further advise depending on volume.

Guillermo Marrufo

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: