Drilling out screws in frames?

[GoodLifeSpud]

Hi

I'm trying to restore a Reynolds 531 Raleigh frame (get it to a point where I can get it powder coated) and I'm struggling with two screws that have sheared off. One is where the rear mudguard used to be and the other is on the rear drop out (the thin narrow one used for aligning the rear wheel). There isn't enough to get a set of pliers on to twist the screw or hacksaw in another groove for a screwdriver.

Is filing them down my only option, or is drilling out the screws easy to do? I'm not too concerned about being able to reuse the holes re the mudguards. Any advice???

 

[steve52]

it can so easily end in tears,if possible a pillar drill and a well clamped frame

 

[GoodLifeSpud]

Pillar drill?

 

[sidevalve]

Can be a hell of a job or it can go well, I've had both. Depends on A - your engineering skill level and B - your equipment level.
You will need to flatten the remains off to enable a dead [and I do mean dead] centre punch to be made in the bolt to start the drill. A pillar drill is best but not everyone has one in which a frame can be mounted.
The question is do you intend to use the holes ? The wheel alignment one will I suspect be almost impossible to do without extensive workshop facilities. It may be better to abandon them and smooth over the remains.
The alignment one IMHO serves little purpose anyway and the other is only of use if you are fitting mudguards.

 

[biggs682]

have it done by local specialist would be my advice

 

[Sterba]

File away and forget about them (pun intended). Those adjusters are a waste of time anyway. Anything else risks causing damage, including losing your temper and the temper in the steel (pun intended). Put some rust preventer on the bare steel after filing, or it will rust straight away. Powder coating sounds a bit cheap, though, for a 531.

 

[GoodLifeSpud]

Thanks for the advice. Think I'll go buy myself a file

If powder coating is too cheap, what (non-home) options do I have open to me? I tried to get a previous frame sprayed and lacquered by a shop in Brighton but they couldn't get the finish right (too easily scratched) which led me to powder coating by armourtex in Hackney (London). Any ideas welcomed though, my top budget would be around £150.

 

[GoodLifeSpud]

This is the bike by the way, haven't had chance to look it up yet.

 

[GoodLifeSpud]

The offending screws.

 

[fossyant]

Leave the wheel adjuster in and get another for the other side.

 

[4F]

Chains slack

 

[steve52]

a fixed drill on a post, and a little hear helps

 

[GoodLifeSpud]

You could say the chain is relaxed, and that the brake cables were rustic.

Any ideas on what the bike might be - other than a raleigh of course

 

[Ed no-more-lemons]

Hello

Guessing from the style of the Raleigh logo, 1980's? Wheel hubs or brakes should give a year.
In your photo of offending screws presumably you are referring to the near screws if not, I defer to the comments above.

Looks like both could be removed the way they were intended to be. By creating flat sides on the mudgaurd screw head and using some sort of penetrating oil. As for the alignment screw long nosed pliers or somesuch and possible using some sort of adhesive to the thread to improve purchase.

I would reach for the mole grips to close over the mudgaurd screw head to squish is in and rotate, Not particulary neat, but can beat pliers.

Not sure whether this is best practice or not though.

Good luck

 

[taximan]

Thanks for the advice. Think I'll go buy myself a file

If powder coating is too cheap, what (non-home) options do I have open to me? I tried to get a previous frame sprayed and lacquered by a shop in Brighton but they couldn't get the finish right (too easily scratched) which led me to powder coating by armourtex in Hackney (London). Any ideas welcomed though, my top budget would be around £150.

Have you thought about a motor body shop, I had a very competitive quote from one near me and it was well inside your budget. The only stipulation was that the frame was sprayed in the same colour as they were using at the time. They showed me what they had booked in so I could choose from the list. They made an excellent job and after I put on the decals they took it back and gave it a coat of clear lacquer. The total cast was £50 (cash in hand).