Broken Torx head...HELP!

[Scout106]

Well, I tried using the drill press with no luck. Couldn't penetrate the hardened torx head and it wouldn't come loose. I ended up cutting through the ring and the screw. Saved the scope but didn't do the ring any good, but then the lower half of the screw is still lodged in the lower half of the ring.

Thanks to all for your suggestions and especially to gunboat for the use of his drill press and time.

[ar15barrels]

I guess I'm too late, but reverse drill bits are where it's at.
Carbide drill bit would have taken out the remains of the torx bit.
All this needs to be done in a rigid clamped setup such as a milling machine for best results.

[Riodog]

Ar-15 is right. When you're going after broken screws this small they can be a ***** with out the proper setup and the knowlege of "HOW". If you need another Ruger mount holler as I have many just laying around that you are welcome to. Need to know the highth and I'll send it your way.
Rio

[swerv512]

I just had a torx bit break recently too. turns out i was over-torquing the torx allen-tool. I was installing my scope on some leupold rings when the tool snapped with the head still inside the screw top. i ended up using a dremel on the screw- needless to say it messed up up the rings pretty bad...
i havent found a size T-15 that wont deform when using the slightest bit of torque. ...

[JTROKS]

I don't have a drill press

I have an 8" Delta Drill press I'd like to sell for $50. I bought it for $99.95 from Home Depot a few years ago.

Or if you're in my neck of the woods bring it over so we can drill a hole to tap it out. I don't have any broken screw tap through.

[rue]

I use snap-on torx bits in a snap-on screwdriver. If you use a bit it's a little stronger and less likely to break. Another trick I learned while working at a car dealer is to dip the torx bit or end of the torque screwdriver into some valve grinding compound. It will give you more grip when you tighten or loosen the torx fastener.