Richie_24 Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone could help me with getting these screws off my water tank cover. I'm new to boating and want to clean out and re-paint the water tank to get rid of the rusty water, however there are 3 different types of screws holding the water tank cover one and I can't get most of them off! These are the culprits below (assuming the hosting site works!) What type of screws are they? and what is the correct tool to use to get them off? I have been using mole grips as a last desperate measure with no success. image hosting no account image url upload Thanks for reading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGoldy Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Welcome to the Forum. Angle grinder, don't forget the gloves and safety specs! remove the shank when the cover is off. Use new brass screws on refitting. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDS Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 You can try a large flat blade screw driver with an adjustable spanner fitted to the blade to give you some leverage. If that fails see above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Son Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 An impact driver might work or try heating the screws with a blow torch. There might be paint in the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bagdad Boatman (waits) Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Sombody in the past has used cheap and nasty screws. when you manage to get them out use Stainless steel button head socket screws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Brooks Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 They are roofing screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain_S Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 (edited) They look like roofing bolts. Best bet is probably drill or angle grinder to take the heads off, and once top is off tank, mole grips on shank, along with easing oil and possibly heat. e.t.a. cross post with Tony Edited September 7, 2016 by Iain_S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nb Innisfree Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 (edited) Use a slitting disc in an angle grinder to deepen a slot for a suitable screwdriver. Sombody in the past has used cheap and nasty screws. when you manage to get them out use Stainless steel button head socket screwsA4 stainless preferably. Edited September 7, 2016 by nb Innisfree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmr Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Welcome to the Forum. Angle grinder, don't forget the gloves and safety specs! remove the shank when the cover is off. Use new brass screws on refitting. HTH Trouble with brass is its not very strong at all and those bolts need to be done up quite tight. Stainless is a better way to go. Some people worry about corrosion type things when using stainless bolts in mild steel but unless you plan a big lot of salt water boating it will be fine. ..............Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebotco Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 I had exactly this problem a couple of months ago. Tried everything and finally bought a manual impact driver https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-427633-Impact-Driver-Bits/dp/B000LFTU1O/ref=sr_1_6?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1473264936&sr=1-6 on Amazon for under £10. It worked first time as long as you hold it properly. Or maybe you already have an impact drill/driver, which should do the same thing. Anyway I highly recommend this tool - except I am now looking for more seized screws to justify buying it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Brooks Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 In this sort of situation it may help to use two or three grinding disks on a Dremmel spindle to open up one of the slots. It would certainly help an impact driver grip the screw head. The local heat generated may also help loosen the screw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 I had exactly this problem a couple of months ago. Tried everything and finally bought a manual impact driver https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-427633-Impact-Driver-Bits/dp/B000LFTU1O/ref=sr_1_6?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1473264936&sr=1-6 on Amazon for under £10. I bought one of those about 50 years ago to remove cross-head screws on Japanese motorbikes. Still use it to this day when applicable. Works where an electric impact driver wouldn't sometimes. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 I've had the same problem and found impact drivers will only work some of the time. Just grind the heads off and save the bother. Once the lid is removed the tension is off the remaining threaded bit and will unwind with a pair of mole grips. I replaced mine with button head hex machine screws in stainless. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 You could probably use a Dremel to carefully grind the bolt head into an oblong with 2 flat sides opposite each other, then use an adjustable spanner (because you'll never get it exactly the right size) to undo them. A normal large screwdriver will almost certainly slip and chew up the head, an impact driver might be okay but might not; cutting more of a slot to give it a better chance is a good idea but it would be easy to go too far then the head will break instead of turn. If there's no danger of it going into the water tank, I'd use penetrating fluid, but I suspect it might end up in the tank..... As said above, use button head socket screws for replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 (edited) A nut and bolt removal socket should work if they are big head screws like this http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-bolt-nut-remover-set-6-pieces/6083D?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=GoogleLocal-_-Datafeed-_-Tools&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CMy6tJHi_84CFUVAGwod8WsLVw Or a screw extractor if small - http://www.screwfix.com/p/screw-extractor-5-piece-set/18643 Looking again those nut/bolt ones are not the ones I was thinking of as the ones I have have a reverse thread - this may be them http://www.screwfix.com/p/laser-emergency-locking-wheel-nut-remover-set-4-pcs/94826 Edited September 8, 2016 by Robbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie_24 Posted September 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Thanks for all the suggestions and support! I've now got a few ideas and will let you know how I get on (or not !) Richie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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