Broken Torx head...HELP!

[Scout106]

I had a torx head break off while putting a scope in a set of Ruger rings. I have tried drilling it out with my Craftsman screw-outs with no luck; they won't start in the torx head. Brownells tells me to drill it out using a standard drill bit in a drill press. Of course, I don't have a drill press, just handheld drills.

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

[wayoutwest]

Is it recessed in the mount.

If not maybe try to dremmel a slot in it and back it out with a regular screwdriver

If the tips of the star patten are not really messed up try to tap (lightly hammer) the torx in deeper.

[Scout106]

It is recessed and I have tried to tap it loose with no luck. I am sure the tork twisted prior to breaking off. This is an ongoing problem with poorly made torx heads.

Thanks for trying to help. Anyone else?

[pete71]

Go to your toolbox and pick out a socket that is a larger than the diameter of the torx bit but smaller than the screw head. Place the socket on the head of the screw and then tap or smack the socket with a hammer. It works for me. I hope this helps.

[7.62 FMJ]

If you have a dremmel you can cut a slot in it with a cut of wheel and use a screwdriver to remove the screw.The screw would need to be replaced but the mount would still be good.

[Prowler]

See if you can get a very small chisel and pound it into the torx head opening. Try to elongate the hole. Maybe that will get you enough grip to get a small flathead screwdriver in the hole and twist it out. Another attempt would be to get an old flathead screwdrive and grind the edges off so that it can be fitted into the torx head opening. Then twist the screwdriver by using Vise Grips to get more torque...good luck!

[stretch64]

I'm unclear on whether the torx bit broke, or the head broke off the screw. You say your EZOuts won't start in the torx head, so I'm assuming the head didn't break off the screw. If the points are still there in the head, try using a hex key to remove the screw. If that doesn't work, I'd try a left hand drill bit next.

[FMJBT]

I'm assuming that your scope is still in the ring? If it's a decent scope with a warranty, throw it in the freezer for a few hours before trying to back the screw out again. The cold causes the metal to shrink slightly, the screw might be a little easier to turn out.

You may be able to cut a slot in the screw head by using a worn down cut-off wheel in a dremel. Use the wheel on something else until it's only 3/8" or so in diameter, you might be able to get it into the recessed area without damaging the ring. Could you post a picture of the problem area? It would help quite a bit to determine the best way to proceed.

[gunboat]

If you are near 95124, you can use my drill press -- Hard to keep a hand drill from skating --

[donger]

Don't waste your money on those crappy screw-outs. They will make the problem worse. If you can, try to cut a small slot with a Dremel and then back it out with a screwdriver.

[Scout106]

Clarification:
Torx head tip broke off in the screw head below the top edge of the screw head but not enough for another torx screw driver to get into it - almost flush with top of screw. The screw was being tightened into a Ruger ring around a scope which I now need to remove. Cannot get a Dremel into it to cut a new groove without damaging the ring, which I'd prefer to save if possible.

I will meet with Gunboat Monday and use his drill press. Turns out we're only a few blocks from each other and both retirees. Hope that will work.

I really appreciate all the replies. Calgunners are really good folks. Will update this on Monday to let you all know how it turns out.

BTW, anybody know where to get some torx head drivers that will not twist and break? This is the third head that has twisted on me. I think one is better off using the tools supplied by the ring makers like Leupold.

[stretch64]

Can you get the broken piece out with a pick and a magnet? It's going to cause problems drilling if it's still in there. Again, go after it with a left hand drill bit. The drill bit will often remove the screw for you, saving a step. If the tip is wedged in there tight, a left hand bit may knock it loose for you.

P.S. Don't forget to reverse the rotation of the drill press if you use a left hand bit.

[FMJBT]

BTW, anybody know where to get some torx head drivers that will not twist and break? This is the third head that has twisted on me. I think one is better off using the tools supplied by the ring makers like Leupold.

I've used most everything from Snap-On and Husky to Harbor Freight, none of them really impressed me. I've found the best way to keep them usefull is to ocasionally grind the tip back a bit to regain the edge. After a few times of doing that, you run out of metal and replacement is last remaining option.

[Rust]

Another trick that I've used in the past is to super glue or epoxy another bit into the stripped, or in your case plugged screw head and try to back it out once its set up. If you can come up with them I personally think that the left handed drill/run the press in reverse is the best way to get a screw out. But it may be hard to get it started in the hardened torx driver.

[motorhead]

don't try with a hand drill. that never ends well.