09-05-2016, 09:34 PM
OK. I have had my share of frozen screws while working on metal planes for years. I don't win 'em all, but the score is JR--9,856 to Stuck Screw--3. Patience is what puts numbers in the win column. Here is what I have learned. Stanley metal planes have oddly threaded screws and these screws get stuck with frequency. Too much mustard will break the screw and that seriously complicates the repair. Heat can work but can cause damage. It should be a last resort. I like Liquid Wrench. I clean as much as possible and then apply LW to the area. Soft tapping on the screw with a tiny ball pein hammer can be satisfying. I keep the tool in the shop and work on it every day or so. Try to loosen with screwdriver, tap with hammer, apply LW. And then set aside. They always give up.
My latest projects have been a Stanley #98 and a Stanley #77 dowel machine. The #98 was in pretty good shape but the knob screw was frozen and the front guide screw was frozen. I was able to unscrew the knob nut and remove the knob. The LW treatment worked with just an overnight soaking. But the front guide has been stubborn. I have been working on it for about ten days. I am sure it will give up soon. Maybe I will put it in the hot sun for a bit of heat cycling.
When I had trouble with the #98, I began working on the #77. I needed to remove the drive shaft which is held by two set screws. Of course, the first came out with a little torque on my first try. The second, however, has been stubborn. I have been LW-ing and tapping for over a week. I play with it every time I go in the shop. Tonite was no exception. I tried it and felt a slight movement. I added more LW and tried again. The setscrew came out without a hitch.
So don't give up on your Stanley planes or other tools. Use LW or PB blaster and lots of PATIENCE. Aggressive treatment does not remove the screw but it WILL break the screw body or torque off the head. Patience wins. Persistence wins the race. Think tortoise.
My latest projects have been a Stanley #98 and a Stanley #77 dowel machine. The #98 was in pretty good shape but the knob screw was frozen and the front guide screw was frozen. I was able to unscrew the knob nut and remove the knob. The LW treatment worked with just an overnight soaking. But the front guide has been stubborn. I have been working on it for about ten days. I am sure it will give up soon. Maybe I will put it in the hot sun for a bit of heat cycling.
When I had trouble with the #98, I began working on the #77. I needed to remove the drive shaft which is held by two set screws. Of course, the first came out with a little torque on my first try. The second, however, has been stubborn. I have been LW-ing and tapping for over a week. I play with it every time I go in the shop. Tonite was no exception. I tried it and felt a slight movement. I added more LW and tried again. The setscrew came out without a hitch.
So don't give up on your Stanley planes or other tools. Use LW or PB blaster and lots of PATIENCE. Aggressive treatment does not remove the screw but it WILL break the screw body or torque off the head. Patience wins. Persistence wins the race. Think tortoise.