Can't get screw out of bracelet :(

[japenney]

Hey guys. I'm having difficulty getting a screw out of the bracelet. I noticed today that the link was very stiff and the screw was not in all the way so I tried to remove it but I get this noise like your drying out a glass from the inside and it will turn fine but not physically screw out. Its almost like it's off the tread or something. I tried heating it up and it still won't actually screw out. Plan was to take it out and clean and put fresh lubricant on the screw. Any advice for getting this sucker out?

Edit: I've also tried screwing it in all the way and the link is still very stiff. Still won't screw out fully. Just get that squeaking noise when turning.

[tifosi]

The picture you show there is about as far as it will "screw" out or back itself out. You just have to pull it the remainder of the way.

[blue lion]

I had the same issue once. Couldn't get it back in so I sent it off for repair. I was told they needed to be heated but you've tried that.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by tifosi

The picture you show there is about as far as it will "screw" out or back itself out. You just have to pull it the remainder of the way.

That is correct.

[Etschell]

yep. if it is stuck still try soaking it in olive oil a but on that part. should loosen it up.

[kilyung]

Take an open flame to it and heat it up that way. Hairdryers and soldering irons aren't as effective.

[japenney]

Originally Posted by SearChart

That is correct.

Well I've heated it up good with the blow dryer and unscrewed it as far as I can and I cant get it to pull out with hands or a decent set of tweezers

[japenney]

Originally Posted by Etschell

yep. if it is stuck still try soaking it in olive oil a but on that part. should loosen it up.

Originally Posted by kilyung

Take an open flame to it and heat it up that way. Hairdryers and soldering irons aren't as effective.

Thanks I'll try that

[sensui]

I use the sea dweller tool to resize bracelets on Rolex.....it has a pin on the other end and I stick that in the other side to poke it out further after screwing out the screw to get it out....this is sometimes necessary with the loctite:



Any pin will work but it's very tough to pull sometimes without pushing it out further. Good luck.

[Onikage]

Give it a squirt of WD40. Er best not to play with fire afterwards though. slotting a knife edge into it might give you more leverage. If that fails you're screwed (hardy har) So there's enough protrusion I'd be tempted to grab the sucker with pliers and give it some less subtlety. Buy new screw, replace, new link if necessary. At least it isn't gold ....is it?

[mattedialdoc]

as stated, it has backed out enough that threads are no longer engaged on the contralateral side. I would use a pair of rubber tipped needle nose pliers or use something over tips of needle nose to protect..and pull gently as you lightly torque from side to side.
good luck!


Formerly known as "sd4kdoc"

[japenney]

Originally Posted by sensui

I use the sea dweller tool to resize bracelets on Rolex.....it has a pin on the other end and I stick that in the other side to poke it out further after screwing out the screw to get it out....this is sometimes necessary with the loctite:



Any pin will work but it's very tough to pull sometimes without pushing it out further. Good luck.

I think that pin is the missing link to my puzzle. I'm going to leave it for nowas I have to get ready for work.

[cornerstore]

My guess, stripped threads and it was super glued back into place. Take off that part of bracelet and soak links in a solvent for awhile until glue is dissolved. Had same thing on IWC watch I purchased. Solvent won't damage links.

[japenney]

Thanks for all the help. Originally my plan was to remove the screw and clean / replace it but since the bracelet is fit perfectly I decided to just heat up the link with the lighter and I was able to screw it in all the way. Its still quite stiff compared to the other links but I'm ok with it for now.

[simbal]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Take an open flame to it and heat it up that way. Hairdryers and soldering irons aren't as effective.

+1. This is speaking from experience!


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[the0thrdude]

Why does the idea of taking an open flame to a watch seem like an awful idea.
I don't think I would do that with my watches.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by japenney

Thanks for all the help. Originally my plan was to remove the screw and clean / replace it but since the bracelet is fit perfectly I decided to just heat up the link with the lighter and I was able to screw it in all the way. Its still quite stiff compared to the other links but I'm ok with it for now.

It's not really a screw, it's a stud. If you unscrewed it all the way and it just turned, there isn't anything else holding it except friction or some loc-tite residue. It has to pull out all the way before the bracelet will come apart and so some smooth jaw pliers (or cardboard on each side of the jaws) will do the job.

If you screw it back in, don't screw it down too tightly. As said, it is a stud and so there is nothing to keep you from jamming it too far into the threads and damaging them..

[japenney]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's not really a screw, it's a stud. If you unscrewed it all the way and it just turned, there isn't anything else holding it except friction or some loc-tite residue. It has to pull out all the way before the bracelet will come apart and so some smooth jaw pliers (or cardboard on each side of the jaws) will do the job.

If you screw it back in, don't screw it down too tightly. As said, it is a stud and so there is nothing to keep you from jamming it too far into the threads and damaging them..

Thanks tools I'll keep that in mind. Great info.

Sent by my pet Gekko

[TimeRookie]

My bet is, there was a bit too much Loctite put on and it won't allow you pull it out. I did this myself. I ended up getting a new screw to fix it. After that, I only put a tiny bit on the threads of the link with the screw mostly tightened in. Good luck!!

[japenney]

Originally Posted by TimeRookie

My bet is, there was a bit too much Loctite put on and it won't allow you pull it out. I did this myself. I ended up getting a new screw to fix it. After that, I only put a tiny bit on the threads of the link with the screw mostly tightened in. Good luck!!

I think I did put too much loctite on. I won't make that mistake again once I manage to get it out. The bottle actually spilled the first time and I had to clean my hands off haha

Sent by my pet Gekko

[MaxTG]

The loctite should be applied only to the threads, from outside the bracelet, and not to the screw itself (which has to then pass through the link holes).

I used a small pin, dipped in loctite, and then just applied directly to the threaded hole. This way, no loctite ends up on the screw shaft -- just the threads.

For this one, I'd tap it out with a brass punch or even a wooden toothpick. (wood would be better so as not to damage the threads.) It sounds like the screw threads are disengaged, so it's just held by dry loctite or maybe glue. The only way to see what's going on is to get it out entirely and inspect/clean the links. I'd do it.

I really wouldn't grab the head of the screw with any strong tool.. it would be too easy to mash the corners, fold the screw-head inward, or some other mistake. approach from the other (stud) end where it can be easily buffed off.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by sensui

I use the sea dweller tool to resize bracelets on Rolex.....it has a pin on the other end and I stick that in the other side to poke it out further after screwing out the screw to get it out....this is sometimes necessary with the loctite:



Any pin will work but it's very tough to pull sometimes without pushing it out further. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Tools

It's not really a screw, it's a stud. If you unscrewed it all the way and it just turned, there isn't anything else holding it except friction or some loc-tite residue. It has to pull out all the way before the bracelet will come apart and so some smooth jaw pliers (or cardboard on each side of the jaws) will do the job.

If you screw it back in, don't screw it down too tightly. As said, it is a stud and so there is nothing to keep you from jamming it too far into the threads and damaging them..

Yup. Good luck, Josh. Let us know how it turns out.

[fskywalker]

Glad you were able to put it all the way in


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[swils8610]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Take an open flame to it and heat it up that way. Hairdryers and soldering irons aren't as effective.

That's how how I fixed mine. I used a lighter.


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[Foxglove]

put some rubbing alcohol in there to dissolve the loctite and simply pull it out. from the photo, it's unscrewed all the way already most likely and the only thing giving resistance now is loctite from the factory or whoever installed the screw last. Rubbing alcohol will dissolve the loctite immediately and allow you to more easily pull the screw out.

[Mfrankel2]

Originally Posted by swils8610

That's how how I fixed mine. I used a lighter.


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I've had god luck with a cigar lighter. The flame burns hot but clean (no carbon residue) and I he pinpoint torch makes placing itnnear where you want the heat fairly easy

[handsfull]

Soak in acetone overnight.

[t60]

Originally Posted by the0thrdude

Why does the idea of taking an open flame to a watch seem like an awful idea.
I don't think I would do that with my watches.

I thought the same thing but when I brought my bracelet to the local RSC due to a stiff screw, they told me they put a lighter to it to get the loctite softened up. I would never do it to the watch head, but there shouldn't be any damage to a bracelet.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by the0thrdude

Why does the idea of taking an open flame to a watch seem like an awful idea.
I don't think I would do that with my watches.

It's a time tested method for watchmakers. for over a century, watchmakers have used alcohol lamps to perform various tasks like working with schlack and loosening loctite.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by kilyung

It's a time tested method for watchmakers. for over a century, watchmakers have used alcohol lamps to perform various tasks like working with schlack and loosening loctite.

I use a hand held butane torch. I heat up the the thread side of the link, let it cool to touch and BOOM. Done like dinner