frozen handle screw

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beepr1
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frozen handle screw

Post by beepr1 »

Hello to all, needing a little help here. I have a first generation Enterprise Worth reel that I am attempting to clean and discovered the screw holding the handle on is not budging. I gave it a shot of PB Blaster and let it sit overnight but no luck. Am considering of giving the reel a dunk in PB Blaster overnight but am unsure of what will happen to the nob which is pristine. Had the right size screwdriver on it and couldn't even budge it, any thoughts?
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john elder
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Re: frozen handle screw

Post by john elder »

The knob should be okay in the soak. You might try a heat gun on the stem if the soak doesn’t do it. A few hot-cold (put an ice cube on it) treatments usually work.

If it were mine, I would have started with an overnight soak in 1:1 white vinegar: water. Since I started doing this, it is rare that I have difficulty with screws that won’t come out.
ORCA member since 1999
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Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
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sdlehr
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Re: frozen handle screw

Post by sdlehr »

I’d be careful with PB Blaster and plastics. One of the best penetrants is a 50/50 mix of acetone/automatic transmission fluid. Kano Kroil is a close second.
Sid Lehr
beepr1
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Re: frozen handle screw

Post by beepr1 »

Thank you John and Sid for the tips, it didn't come out to bad, minimal damage.
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john elder
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Re: frozen handle screw

Post by john elder »

Great! You can take the smirk off the screw with a fine file after pushing as much metal as you can back into place. Use the shaft of a screwdriver and work the metal back towards the slot so as to minimize metal loss when filing. With a little patience and good files, you can get the screw back to where it should be.

John
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member

Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
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Mike N
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Re: frozen handle screw

Post by Mike N »

john elder wrote:Great! You can take the smirk off the screw with a fine file after pushing as much metal as you can back into place. Use the shaft of a screwdriver and work the metal back towards the slot so as to minimize metal loss when filing. With a little patience and good files, you can get the screw back to where it should be.

John
Lol, John, I love the expression “take the smirk off the screw...” Many a teacher told me to take the smirk off my face back in the day,
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
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