Removing a broken bridge screw

[James Roadman]

I would use a hollow drill like the stewmac screw rescue kit.

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/routers-and-bits/bits/guitar-screw-rescue-kit/?queryid=284b6595c870fe8b2f9f2ae2f22df1d1

stewmac.com

Guitar Screw Rescue Kit - StewMac

Extractor and plug cutter for damaged guitar screws. A StewMac exclusive.

[Ben Schmaus Bench Zen]

thanks for the pointer. that looks really handy. i just placed a stewmac order. too bad this isn’t available at the moment or i’d be placing another!

[Ian Davlin The Looth Group]

You can make one fairly easily with copper tube and a file for cutting in the saw teeth.

https://www.bridgecityguitar.com/2024/02/08/diy-screw-extractor/

bridgecityguitar.com

DIY Screw Extractor - Bridge City Guitar

Quick little diy screw extractor process photos. The most effective solution for those cheap screws that break off below the surface

[Ben Schmaus Bench Zen]

Thanks for the link @ianhatesguitars I’ll give this a try. (The bridge screw I need to remove is larger than what the stewmac extractor tool is designed to work with anyway.)

[Ian Davlin The Looth Group]

Tell @sam-stewart thanks. I purloined his article.

[Sam Stewart Bridge City Guitar]

It’s a really quick fix and you can make them any size you need! Good luck!

[Ben Schmaus Bench Zen]

Thanks for writing that up @sam-stewart

I was looking at hole cutter bits from home depot but they’re all way too big.

I think I’m also going to get a set of microchisels, which you mentioned in your post.

In the few years I’ve been doing part-time setup and (basic) repair work for a local music store this is the first time I’ve come across a broken screw (1 / ~180 guitars). Initially I thought it was just stripped.

[Ben Schmaus Bench Zen]

i ended up using a small tile cutting bit to carefully remove enough wood to extract the broken screw.

i picked up some copper tubing though so i can make a new bit if this comes up again.