Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: OOPS! -- I broke it!!!

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 10-15-1999, 03:50 PM:

I was checking the gate alignment on one of the Century (MSC-TA -- Turret) projectors at TT17 this morning.

The film was getting scuffed and the proj. was 'dandruff-ing' pretty bad. It was noisy too.

I've done it a few times, so I don't have any problems actually doing it. (The 1/4 inch allen wrench thing.)

I loosened the 1st screw that holds the gate slider, OK. When I went to loosen the second one(Left one)the allen wrench broke off in the screw head! (At least it was a Craftsman )

I was able to get the other one back in and the proj. is running OK, now but the piece of the wrench is still in there!

It's just the 'ball' part of the wrench. It's broken off flush with the head of the screw. I can't pull it out with a pair of needle nose pliers. I can't use a jeweler's screwdriver to pry it out either. I tried using a small drill to make a little hole in the broken piece so I can use an EZ-out but 1) The drill I have won't fit in the tight space 2) The metal is too hard.

Like I said, it's still running, but if we gotta' do any repairs in the future, we're SCREWED! (Pardon the pun)

Any suggestions?

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 10-15-1999, 04:23 PM:

Yes, don't use allen wrenches with the ball.

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 10-15-1999, 04:44 PM:

I love Allen wrenches with the little ball.

Posted by Rick Long (Member # 213) on 10-15-1999, 08:22 PM:

I too have done this, usually about half an hour before show-time. You use words you never thought you knew when this happens.

The allen keys with the ball ends are great as long as you do the final tightening with the short end. Of course, I always realize this after the ball is impossibly "welded" within the hole. This is hardened steel, so I doubt if you'll have much luck drilling.

Only solution I have found works is to loosen the opposing screw, then use a small hardened screwdriver blade and hammer the rim of the screw counter clockwise until it loosens enough that you can remove it. PLEASE USE A FACE-MASK WHEN DOING THIS. It will, of course, be necessary to replace the screw (found in most decent hardware stores under "fasteners").

An alternative is to take off the assembly onto which this is mounted, and take it to a machine shop. Shouldn't cost much, but you will probably get the standard lecture on the proper use of tools.

Good luck.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 10-19-1999, 03:49 PM:

Well, I won't be using a ball-ended wrench on this kind of job anymore. The one I have was suddenly converted in to a regular wrench!

By the way, I was LOOSENING the screw when it broke. (Who the HE** puts 'em in so tight?) Also, it's recessed into the bracket. Maybe I can find a longer length drill meant for drilling hard steel. Regular "jobber" drills won't cut it.

Anyway, I was able to get the projector back into alignment. I loosened the other screw and swiveled the gate back into alignment. Seems to be okay for now. I'll just let it be and sleep on it for a while. That idea about making a notch and tapping it out seems to be the best so far.

Posted by Rick Long (Member # 213) on 10-19-1999, 09:28 PM:

If somebody there is worried about a screw coming loose, introduce them to "Loctite 242". Available at most hardware and auto-supply stores, this liquid comes in a small squeezable tube. One simply puts a little of this on the thread before inserting the screw and tightining it snugly - not overtight.

The liquid hardens, and the screw cannot loosen. It can be removed by normal means.

CAUTION - Use only 242 NOT 262. To remove a screw set with 262 requires a blowtorch. Please read the package instructions to make sure you have the correct type.

Posted by Alan Brandt (Member # 426) on 04-10-2000, 06:10 PM:

Try dabbing the broken piece with a little frethonite. It may stink for a few minutes but after the liquid sets in place, the hardened steel around the busted allen wrench crumbles like a fried fig newton, thus only exposing the piece of allen wrench.