Hey everyone,

I have a plastic nosecone being held on by a screw that I can no longer remove. It's a Philips head screw, but it's all reamed out now from me and other trying to remove it. I guess that means I need to take my dremel to it. Question is, what's the best way. To use a drill bit and ream out the screw, or go in from the side with a cutting wheel? Or is there an easier way?

buy a tap kit. they are inexpensive and heck you will need again I am sure. it seems it is pretty easy to round off the heads of the screws and bolts anyway.

A tap would be for repairing or cutting new threads in the backing plate. Not really going to help here. Either use a drill to remove the screw head or the cut-off wheel. The problem with the wheel is that it will ruin the spinner if it isn't already damaged.

Then go out and buy some decent screwdrivers. Stripped/damaged screws are often caused by cheap tools. Don't try to "make do" with something that that just about fits. The right tool for every job makes life a lot easier. More expensive but easier. How many destroyed parts before you have paid for that new screwdriver?

Here's a tip: don't buy your tools at Krogers.

I had the same problem with a Great Planes 2 3/4" spinner. It comes with Phillip head screws that screw into the spinner ok, but are incredibly easy to ream out while attempting to remove (and I have the correct size Craftsman screwdriver). I finally went to the hardware store and purchased a dozen slotted screws which work much better. I had the same problem with the screws supplied with the Hobbico Hobbistar MKIII plane. Why aren't all RC screws the HEX variety? They would seem to make the most since.

i've had the same problem and I use a correct tool, it's the cheap screws supplied by the manufacturer, I drill out the screw and replace the spinner because the back plate ends up messed up.

Good luck with this one.

I would approach this way : Go to Harbor Freight, buy their assortment of left-hand drill bits, and make sure there's a small one. Then chuck a suitable lefthand drill bit in a reversing, variable speed drill, and start slowly removing the screw head.

It is likely that the drill will bite in and start unscrewing the screw, while you are in this process. If so, you can just unscrew it and replace later.

If the screw doesn't start backing out, then stop when you have the head of the screw drilled off, slip the spinner cone off, and the remainder of the screw will be standing up where you can grab it with a visegrip.

And, as has been mentioned, don't use slotted or Phillips screws with spinners, in the future. Use good Allen screws.

Best wishes,
Dave Olson

Also note that many "Philips" screws from the Asian market aren't really Philips screws. They are often JIS point screws. They look just like Philips because they are both cross point screws. But JIS screws have a different angle on the point of the driver, and if you use a Philips driver you will strip them quickly. If you use a JIS driver, you can feel the better grip and you suddenly stop stripping screws out.

Another example is that on many servos, the screw that holds the arm on is often JIS.

Unfortunatly JIS drivers are not always easy to find, but if you get a set you'll wonder how you lived with out them.

As for spinners, I usually replace the screw with a hex head anyway, because hex is just easier than any cross point .

JIS drivers aren't that hard to find. Just need to know how to look.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...rs&btnG=Search

several good sources here

well, yes, obviously they aren't that hard to find (otherwise I wouldn't have 2 sets). But I've never seen them in the local hardware store or even most of the LHSs I've been in. I HAVE seen them in a couple of bigger LHSs, but that was the exception.

The JIS (Japaneze Industrial Standard) are also what most servos use to hold the arms on. This is especially important for the micro and sub micro servos. It sure pays to have a good set of these screwdrivers as most ARF's are imported from the far east or Asia and JIS is the standard there. Fortunately all the local hobby shops stock these screwdriver sets.

Good info here, I never heard of JIS screws before. With any luck I'll be in this hobby for a long time, so I'll look for and pick up a set.

It's funny that Rodney clams that all hobby shops carry JIS drivers. And yet when I was looking for some a few years ago, I tried all the shops in my area and came up with nothing.

Perhapse he meant the shops in his area have them.

I will say that over the last few years, knowledge of JIS screws and the drivers have become more common.

Go to Sears or Home Depot and purchase their 'stripped screw remover'. Basically a left handed bit that will bit into the the screw. You'll have to use a variable speed drill that has a very slow speed. Apply a decent amount of pressure. Works excellent and they have multiple sizes.