View Full Version : Stripped Screws in an aluminum mast
In working on the boom of my 1986 C30 I have broken the head off of one screw so far. Is it OK to just drill it out and retap the hole. Is aluminum weird in any way.
Trevor - SailboatOwners.c
02-24-2005, 01:40 am
Hi Rick - Go ahead and drill the hole out and re-tap with larger hole. Aluminum is relatively soft, but the only difference that should make is an easier job! I drilled and tapped holes into my aluminum mast for mast steps some time ago and had no problems. Best, Trevor
Glenn
02-24-2005, 03:28 am
Rick: You can drill out the screw and use a screw/bolt extractor to remove it. These come in all sizes. I assume the screw is relatively small, the drill bit required will be even smaller so it should not be hard to drill out. This way you can preserve the existing hole and not modify or relocate the hardware.
Stu Jackson
02-24-2005, 02:15 pm
When you put a new screw in your new hole use Lanacote to separate the steel screw and the aluminum spar. Stu