Removing Loctite screws??!!
#11
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 104
Man it doesn't have to be this confusing for the average Joe. It doesn't matter what the thread pitch is on the ring cap screws. Just get a friggin drill bit large enough to drill off the head of the screw from the shaft of the screw and remove the scope ring caps. Then buy a new set of rings.
#12
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079
Some of those little screws are hard crap. I have one broke screw in my rifle and one in my muzzy that I can't get out. Even a carbide drill bit wouldn't dent it. I'm going to carry them to a gunsmith with a gun drill press and see if he can get them out.
#13
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: S.W. Pa.-- Heart in North Central Pa. mountains-
Posts: 2,600
I agree with several of the previous posts..... If you have or have access to an electric soldering gun, apply heat directly to the screw head for several minutes. It should break the bond. Also be sure you are using a proper screwdriver or screw wrench... once it starts to come out, keep it coming!!
#15
Spike
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 43
I bought a $210 Redfeild scope to put on my 30-06 springfeild this year. I went to remove the screws on the old scope and broke two alan wrenches trying too remove the screws on the rings. Turns out the idiot who had the gun before me put red loctite on ALL OF THE SCREWS, instead of just the base bolts. Any ideas on removing them? I think if all else fails I will try heating the screws up, but I'm scared I'll damage the scope.
#16
I go along with Bigbulls. Drill it out and buy new rings. You'll never get it heated up enough to break the Red Loc Tite loose..The heat that would be needed is bound to ruin the scope.
That Red Loc Tite is some powerful stuff.
That Red Loc Tite is some powerful stuff.
#17
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,834
I have used both a soldering gun and a hairdryer to do this. Both have worked for me. I had a buddy do the allen wrench with a small torch and turned it with a lockwrench. Its your call. Cut it with a dremel tool and pitch the rings and do it right next time and myself. My .02 cents.
#19
Man it seems some of you guys like to cut and destroy things.
Heat is the simple answer. The soldering iron I imagine would work. You could probably grind a tip just to fit in cap screws (allen heads) and another to fit in screw slots.
I use a couple cheap screwdrivers and allen wrenches that I heat up to glowing with a MAP gas torch. Get a couple of them glowing, let one sit it screw and after 5 seconds or so put a fresh glowing one in and them use a regular screwdriver or allen wrench to loosen. The glowing ones don't usually work to loosen because they are so soft from the heat. That is also why I use cheap screwdrivers and allen wrenches for the heat work.
Over the years I've had to deal with so many seized, galled, rusted, broken or frozen nuts, bolts or studs I've found that heat is one of my best friends - even if it has to go to the hot wrench!
Heat is the simple answer. The soldering iron I imagine would work. You could probably grind a tip just to fit in cap screws (allen heads) and another to fit in screw slots.
I use a couple cheap screwdrivers and allen wrenches that I heat up to glowing with a MAP gas torch. Get a couple of them glowing, let one sit it screw and after 5 seconds or so put a fresh glowing one in and them use a regular screwdriver or allen wrench to loosen. The glowing ones don't usually work to loosen because they are so soft from the heat. That is also why I use cheap screwdrivers and allen wrenches for the heat work.
Over the years I've had to deal with so many seized, galled, rusted, broken or frozen nuts, bolts or studs I've found that heat is one of my best friends - even if it has to go to the hot wrench!
#20
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 538
Are you sure it's Loctite red? If so, heat should do it. Many times people assume "loctite" was used when in reality the screws were way over-tightened. Over-tightening stretches the threads and can make removal difficult. I'd try heat first. If that doesn't work, drill off the head of the screw to relieve pressure on the threads. Remove rings. The screw may simply back out now. If not, shock the tip of the screw with a punch and hammer and try removing again.