Broken screw in arm knukle of specs

[Mike Halmarack]

Not wishing to appear too frugal but I want to repair my wife's specs. Mainly because the old specs are better than the new ones. Specsavers had a go at removing the broken screw but gave up. I can see how drilling might be the only answer but I don't really trust myself with such a small drill, particularly fitted in my Aldi sourced bench drill which doesn't drill all that true. So, before I attempt such a project I'd like to ask if there are any tricky moves I might use as an alternative?

[Andy Burns]

wire spark erosion :-P

[GB]

I don't rate your chances on this, but I think I would try to turn the screw so it drops our of the bottom of the hinge. I mean don't try to get it out by undoing it in the usual way you would with a screw in a blind hole. Instead, just keep turning it clockwise from on top and it may just screw itself out. If you get the bench drill on it, that may happen anyway.

[Brian Gaff]

Are these glasses with plastic sides? I seem to recall that using a bit of heat the plastic can be softened and the bit with the thread replaced and it resecured, but of course there are probably so many designs all different if its not a popular one, they wont have it and offer to remount the lenses in another expensive frame with the same lens template. Brian

[Jonathan]

When I due to my own carelessness broke my frame, Specsavers gave me a new one for £12. Given that the originals cost about £100, I thought it showed their massive mark up. I also wondered whether they would have do ne this if they didn't have the same frame in stock.

Jonathan

[Brian Reay]

I got the following to work. I needs a 'steady hand'- it was when my dexterity was still good. It also requires the screw to be the 'through' type, with a small part on the (not head end) exposed. In my case, there wasn't enough to cut a slot with a dremel etc bit I could use a tiny (and I mean tiny) drop of super glue on a paper clip to glue the clip to the screw. I could then rotate it out enough to grasp with pliers before the bond gave way. If the screw is really tight, probably a non-started.

[Brian Reay]

I've found SS very good. Despite they 'sell 'em cheap' image, they sell some quality frames and lenses and I can't fault their staff.

[harry]

Any drilling is likely to ruin the thread. But you could put in a nut and bolt instead. Or even glue in a bit of wire. (Oil one part of the hinge first to stop the glue sticking to both bits.)

[Nick Odell]

Yes. A good HSS bit may well bite into the softer steel of the screw and turn it enough to do that.

A similar thought: I have a set of jeweler's screwdrivers including some with really tiny shafts. A flat blade made from good HSS might gain purchase on the broken off part and screw it down and out.

Good luck

Nick

[newshound]

+1 to both of these. The ultimate if inconvenient option is to glue it open with a blob of araldite.

[newshound]

Yes I fixed one once with a sort of "staple" made from one of the cores of one size of T&E. A piece just over three times the length of the hole, the top bit folded down parallel and the bottom folded up. Remained working as a hinge for years and almost invisible.

[Harry Bloomfield]

Mike Halmarack presented the following explanation :

Sometimes I have seen Locktite or superglue used on such screws, to prevent them self unscrewing in use, soaking in water should release superglue. If the frame is metal, heat should release Loctktite.

[Roger Hayter]

I find duct tape less stretchy, Or for metal frames with a narrow standoff for the hinge heatshrink tubing of the right size provides a fairly long-lasting elastic hinge substitute.

[Mike Halmarack]

Apologies for the delay in my appreciation of all the suggestions. Now is my first chance to try some of them and that's what I'm going to do. I'll report back on what worked.