New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Alternative to drilling out fittings
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Alternative to drilling out fittings
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
rb_stretch View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 23 Aug 10
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 742 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rb_stretch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Alternative to drilling out fittings
    Posted: 15 Jan 13 at 7:03pm
Back to my Albacore again.
I've got a front bouyancy tank bung fitting that was fitted with steel fastenings which have rusted badly. I cannot tell if they are screws or not as there are no discernable grooves or markings. The problem is that I cannot get a drill to them because the base of the mast step is in the way, see photo.
 
 
Anyone have any ideas as to what the fastenings may be and how I could get them out?
Back to Top
JimC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 17 May 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6660 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 13 at 7:09pm
I think I'd treat 'em with a phosphoric acid based rust treatment, leave them in and and hope for the best! The only alternative I can think of is to grind the tops off with a dremel, grind them to below gel coat level, fill, and put a new fitting in with the screw holes in a different place...

If you do decide to grind them off I strongly recommend putting the boat on her side while you do the work because the access is so much less torturous if you do.
Back to Top
kevg View Drop Down
Posting king
Posting king
Avatar

Joined: 13 Dec 05
Location: Wrexham
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 120 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kevg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 13 at 7:21pm
If you did need to drill the heads off could you use a right angled drill attachment?
Back to Top
Jack Sparrow View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 08 Feb 05
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2965 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jack Sparrow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 13 at 7:47pm
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001JDGMGS/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000T9R0B4&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=12XQFMKK3Y3370GHT3TX
Farr 3.7 Class Website
Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group
Back to Top
Andymac View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Apr 07
Location: Derbyshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 852 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Andymac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 13 at 8:42pm
I'd think about sacrificing the (softer) bung socket, carefully chisel/score through just to the side of the fastening. Once the bulk of the socket is removed from centre. you will just be left with the fastenings x 2 through little 'washers' of plastic. Place mole grips on remnant and unscrew.
Back to Top
rb_stretch View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 23 Aug 10
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 742 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rb_stretch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 13 at 9:04pm
Originally posted by Andymac

I'd think about sacrificing the (softer) bung socket, carefully chisel/score through just to the side of the fastening. Once the bulk of the socket is removed from centre. you will just be left with the fastenings x 2 through little 'washers' of plastic. Place mole grips on remnant and unscrew.

That's a good idea. There is an inspection hatch not too far away so if I can contort myself into the right position I'll try and feel what is actually behind, screw threads or otherwise.....
Back to Top
JohnW View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 07
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 552 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JohnW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 13 at 9:35pm
Almost certainly self tapping screws on a Speed Alb so Andymac's suggestion is the way to go.
Back to Top
JimC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 17 May 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6660 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 13 at 10:04pm
Originally posted by Andymac

Place mole grips on remnant and unscrew.


Just so long as there is room to manipulate the mole grips... I was assuming there wouldn't be...
Back to Top
rb_stretch View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 23 Aug 10
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 742 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rb_stretch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jan 13 at 5:28pm
There's an unspoken rule in boating that any job will take 3 times longer than expected. Well today I went to the boat to investigate further and broke the rule. After a bit of prising with a screwdriver the whole lot came out.
 
 
Not only were the screws really badly corroded, but the hole for the plug and the holes for the screws were really oversized. Obviously a bodge job on all fronts, thankfully.  Expect I will need a lot of sikaflex to hold a new one in.
 
Here is the offending plug. The chip off the bottom screw came from me poking the rust with a screwdriver to see if I could uncover the head. I reckon mole grips would have destroyed them before getting them to turn.
 
Back to Top
JimC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 17 May 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6660 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jan 13 at 6:00pm
That's a good result really. Did the screws come right out or are ends left in there? Clean all the rust off with Tcut or some other abrasive olish, fill the holes with filled epoxy and away you go:-) If the main hole is too big you could pad that with epoxy too:-)

Reckon those have to have been steel screws, very odd for stainless to go like that unless there's serious electrochemistry involved.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy