fixing a broken off needle set screw

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
Post Reply
User avatar
FloridaClay
Victor VI
Posts: 3708
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:14 pm
Location: Merritt Island, FL

fixing a broken off needle set screw

Post by FloridaClay »

Hi all,

I recently bought a great little VV-50 in super condition, but the needle set screw got broken off in shipping. The stub is recessed a bit inside the hole where it screws in. I know I can probalby find another set screw on eBay, but how can I get the broken off stub out safely. Some simple things I've tried haven't budged it and I am afraid of getting agressive for fear of ruining the threads and or just getting in wedged in more tightly. It is a Victor No. 2 sound box.

Clay
Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume's Laws of Collecting
1. Space will expand to accommodate an infinite number of possessions, regardless of their size.
2. Shortage of finance, however dire, will never prevent the acquisition of a desired object, however improbable its cost.

Edisone
Victor IV
Posts: 1140
Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 5:17 pm
Location: Can see Canada from Attic Window

Re: fixing a broken off needle set screw

Post by Edisone »

Good question. I recently noticed the same damage on an unmarked Gramophone & Typewriter equivalent to the Victor I, which my brother knocked off a shelf onto the floor. (AARRGH!! - He is lucky to be alive right now. )

User avatar
alang
VTLA
Posts: 3116
Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2010 9:36 am
Personal Text: TMF Moderator
Location: Delaware

Re: fixing a broken off needle set screw

Post by alang »

Of course, you could spend lots of money buying the exact tools to tap out a broken screw in that small size, but I don't think that's worth it. Too expensive and too much risk of making it worse. APSCO (http://antiquephono.com) offers to tap out a broken needle screw for approximately $10, just send in the reproducer or needle bar.
Andreas

User avatar
FloridaClay
Victor VI
Posts: 3708
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:14 pm
Location: Merritt Island, FL

Re: fixing a broken off needle set screw

Post by FloridaClay »

Fantastic alang. Thanks for the tip.

Clay
Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume's Laws of Collecting
1. Space will expand to accommodate an infinite number of possessions, regardless of their size.
2. Shortage of finance, however dire, will never prevent the acquisition of a desired object, however improbable its cost.

User avatar
Henry
Victor V
Posts: 2624
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:01 am
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania

Re: fixing a broken off needle set screw

Post by Henry »

You might be able to back it out yourself with a jeweler's screwdriver and save the $10 toward a replacement needle screw.

User avatar
FloridaClay
Victor VI
Posts: 3708
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:14 pm
Location: Merritt Island, FL

Re: fixing a broken off needle set screw

Post by FloridaClay »

Thanks Henry. Had tried that, but no joy.

Clay
Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume's Laws of Collecting
1. Space will expand to accommodate an infinite number of possessions, regardless of their size.
2. Shortage of finance, however dire, will never prevent the acquisition of a desired object, however improbable its cost.

OrthoFan
Victor V
Posts: 2440
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2016 7:12 pm

Re: fixing a broken off needle set screw

Post by OrthoFan »

You may or may not want to try something I did a few years ago to remove the broken off portion of a #2 sound box screw:

Take a medium or soft tone needle, put a VERY TINY drop of KRAZY Glue on the flat end (use a stick pin to apply it, so that only the flat portion is coated, and the glue does not drip down the sides of the needle) and carefully poke it into the hole until it touches the broken thumbscrew. Hold it there for about a minute, or until you feel that it is stuck, and then slowly turn the needle in the direction required to unscrew the thumbscrew.

As noted, I was able to remove a broken screw using this method, although the person who suggested it to me originally recommended that I use a toothpick.

OF

User avatar
Covah
Victor II
Posts: 299
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:31 am

Re: fixing a broken off needle set screw

Post by Covah »

If there is no needle then the other end of the screw is accessible with a pointy tool, like a dentist's scraper. Lubricate with Liquid Wrench and poke and scrape the little bugger until it turns and you can grab the broken end and unscrew.

Post Reply