Tried to loosen the T40 hex bolt after a session on Sunday and it was on so tight my tool broke. After multiple attempts it now looks like my hex bolt is stripped. Anyone have any suggestions with a stripped bolt in the Axis aluminum Mast to Fuse connection?

Or...is this a sign from the almighty that I should just buy the High Modulus Carbon Mast?

DC

A reverse thread drill bit got mine out. Drill a small pilot hole in the screw head first to make the job easier. Then insert the reverse head bit in the pilot hole and with your drill in the reverse setting you should be able back it out.

Dcharlton said..
Tried to loosen the T40 hex bolt after a session on Sunday and it was on so tight my tool broke. After multiple attempts it now looks like my hex bolt is stripped. Anyone have any suggestions with a stripped bolt in the Axis aluminum Mast to Fuse connection?

Or...is this a sign from the almighty that I should just buy the High Modulus Carbon Mast?

DC

Definitely buy the high modulus, if your northern sydney i have the easyouts you need and can help.

What Piros says. I've never had any success with easy outs in any situation (kiting, winging, old cars, etc). The Piros method is the easiest way to deal with Axis screws.

Thanks all for the tips. I ran a reverse steel bit trying to drill thru to remove the seated cap off like Piros suggested. I kept working up to bigger drill bits drilling in reverse, on the biggest drill bit, I guess the force of the drill and friction actually caught and unscrewed the bolt without needing to drill out the seated cap.

Ofcourse, NOW I've got a High Modulus mast on order and it's too late to reverse... oh well, guess I'll have to just live with the new HM mast!

Really appreciate your help everyone!

DC

Dcharlton said..
Thanks all for the tips. I ran a reverse steel bit trying to drill thru to remove the seated cap off like Piros suggested. I kept working up to bigger drill bits drilling in reverse, on the biggest drill bit, I guess the force of the drill and friction actually caught and unscrewed the bolt without needing to drill out the seated cap.

Ofcourse, NOW I've got a High Modulus mast on order and it's too late to reverse... oh well, guess I'll have to just live with the new HM mast!

Really appreciate your help everyone!

DC

You know you need it

Leyland said..
Hi Guys I've run into the same problem today. So do you use a normal 9mm drill and just drill through the stripped bolt until the dodad can pop off? I'm not understanding? Can anyone clarify?

I think the simplest method is to use reverse (right hand steel drill bits). I bought a bolt extractor drill bit set but wound up ONLY using the reverse drill bits and not the extractor bits. I just kept drilling in reverse trying to drill out the seated cap which is what keeps the bolt connected to the fuselage. Eventually the vibration from the drilling were enough to unscrew it without having to go thru the entire cap.

DC