I finally got a stripped screw out of a tight spot on a Cessna flap track

It was a number 8 screw in a corner you could barely see, let alone get a drill into. After two broken easy-outs, I tried something simple: a left-hand drill bit and a lot of patience. I used a 1/8 inch bit, went slow with cutting oil, and the screw backed itself out after about 30 seconds of drilling. It saved me from having to pull the whole assembly. Has anyone found a better way for small, recessed fasteners like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_elizabeth6d ago

You said you used a left hand drill bit and a lot of patience. That is honestly the best way to go. I have seen people try all the fancy tools first and just make a bigger mess. Going slow with cutting oil is the real key, it keeps everything cool so the metal doesn't weld itself together. Your method is simple and it works, which is what matters most. Why try to fix something that isn't broken?

hernandez.morgan6d ago

Honestly though, sometimes that simple method just fails on a really stuck bolt. Investing in a good extractor set can save hours of frustration when the drill bit just spins. New tools like induction heaters can break corrosion without damaging the surrounding material, which a drill bit can't do. There's a reason pros have more options in the toolbox.