Trem Issue - screw broke off

[ArnoldHablewitz]

Hey guys and gals. I have a Heartfelt Talon that has a Floyd Rose II bridge in it. I recently replaced all the pickups and in order to get the pick guard out I of course unclamped the strings in the Floyd. Put everything back together...and one of the string lock screws snapped right off as I was tightening it.

1.) how can I get the damn thing out? It broke off pretty flush to the saddle.

2.) Anyone here know if the Floyd Rose II has a modern equivalent, since it's been discontinued? Asking for the sake of getting a replacement saddle and/or replacement screw.

This is one of those incredible guitars that are a true diamond-in-the-rough, so I REALLY want to get it back to working order. It has an incredible DARK tone to it that records incredibly well, so I need to have it back up to snuff.

 

[TheTrooper]

Could You post a photo?
I'm not entirely sure of what You broke.

 

[ArnoldHablewitz]

here's a photo. see how there is one saddle sticking it's ass up? the screw broke right off.

 

[Rachmaninoff]

1.) how can I get the damn thing out? It broke off pretty flush to the saddle.

I can't see a way to take it out... a new saddle would be the way to go, I guess.

2.) Anyone here know if the Floyd Rose II has a modern equivalent, since it's been discontinued? Asking for the sake of getting a replacement saddle and/or replacement screw.

If you have such love for the guitar, think about getting a good Floyd Rose unit. I don't know exactly which model would fit, but you could take measurements and compare specs with available models.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

here's a photo. see how there is one saddle sticking it's ass up? the screw broke right off.

Use something like this, but put the saddle in a vise first, do NOT do this while the saddle is still on the guitar.

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tool...rs_and_Bits/Bits/Guitar_Screw_Rescue_Kit.html

 

[Pav]

Use something like this, but put the saddle in a vise first, do NOT do this while the saddle is still on the guitar.

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tool...rs_and_Bits/Bits/Guitar_Screw_Rescue_Kit.html

Did you look at how that kit works exactly? It bores an entirely new hole over wherever the broken screw is so you can cut yourself a plug for it. It's meant to be used on wood, not metal, and wouldn't do anything to his saddle except render it unusable in a different way.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Did you look at how that kit works exactly? It bores an entirely new hole over wherever the broken screw is so you can cut yourself a plug for it. It's meant to be used on wood, not metal, and wouldn't do anything to his saddle except render it unusable in a different way.

He could put the saddle in a vise on a drill press base, use the extractor only, apply downward pressure from a drill press, and slowly turn the chuck by hand to extract the screw.

The boring tool is only needed if you need to make a dowel to fill the wooden hole before re-drilling a pilot hole.

 

[High Plains Drifter]

Looks like you could use a small pair of needle-nosed vise-grips ( or possibly even just regular needle-nose pliers)... as long as there is enough of the shank or thread to get a good grip on it. It still looks like you would need to remove the bridge first, in order to be able to turn the vise-grips.

If you had a Dremel and a VERY steady hand, you might also be able to use a thin cut-off wheel to slot what's left of the shank and then back it out with a small flat-head screwdriver.

Good luck. I know that type of thing can be frustrating.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Looks like you could use a small pair of needle-nosed vise-grips ( or possibly even just regular needle-nose pliers)... as long as there is enough of the shank or thread to get a good grip on it. It still looks like you would need to remove the bridge first, in order to be able to turn the vise-grips.

If you had a Dremel and a VERY steady hand, you might also be able to use a thin cut-off wheel to slot what's left of the shank and then back it out with a small flat-head screwdriver.

Good luck. I know that type of thing can be frustrating.

I would do more than simply remove the bridge. I would most definitely remove the saddle as it will reduce the chances of any slippage of grip that could potentially damage the bridge and/or the guitar face.

While in the vice, you may be able to drill a smaller hold into the screw, then with just a drop of epoxy on a very small allen wrench, epoxy the allen wrench into the screw, then once cured, you can just unscrew the screw.

I've done this with a very old vintage brass Mighty Might Strat 6 Hole Trem where the bar broke off inside the block.

 

[Pav]

He could put the saddle in a vise on a drill press base, use the extractor only, apply downward pressure from a drill press, and slowly turn the chuck by hand to extract the screw.

The boring tool is only needed if you need to make a dowel to fill the wooden hole before re-drilling a pilot hole.

Oh okay, gotcha.

That sounds like it could be a delicate process. I once tried to extract a screw from a (licensed) Floyd saddle and the damn metal was so soft that the drill just bored a hole directly down the center of the screw itself and then wanted to slip right back out without removing anything. If his bridge is less ....ty than mine was he may have a hope of salvaging it.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Use a drill bit made for drilling into metal, don't just use any drill bit laying around that is used primarily for wood.

 

[sharedEQ]

Trying to drill out the screw you will wreck the saddle. Even if you are able to drill it out you will probably have to retap the threads.

First option to try is a replacement saddle. They sell singles on ebay.

Next option is a new FR special. Replace the tone block with OFR tone block.

Or just get an OFR.

I bet they are interchangeable.

http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f19/floyd-rose-ii-25090.html

 

[Edika]

I have the Floyd Rose II in my first guitar and it's not a durable a tremolo as the OFR. I had on saddle crack and replaced it with an OFR saddle and the tightening screw fitted perfectly. So if you get the broken off screw out an OFR screw would be a direct replacement. I actually have another saddle that's cracked but not broken :/.

Unfortunately the OFR is not a direct replacement to the Floyd Rose II and will require a bit of drilling from an experienced guy not to mess up the guitar, so it's not as easy as Rachmaninoff suggested. There might be other trems that fit but they might not be an improvement.

 

[psycle_1]

Get a set of left handed drill bits. Punch the broken bolt directly in the center. Using the left handed drill bit, run the drill in reverse and try to drill out the bolt. Hopefully the bolt itself will catch and spin itself out.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Get a set of left handed drill bits. Punch the broken bolt directly in the center. Using the left handed drill bit, run the drill in reverse and try to drill out the bolt. Hopefully the bolt itself will catch and spin itself out.

I 2nd that, I hadn't thought of it, but the physics do pan out!

 

[sharedEQ]

Have you guys ever tried to center drill a snapped bolt? How about one that small? Its going to be impossible without a drill press. The bolt is tougher than the surrounding metal.

He will drill out the threads and will have to tap new ones and source a custom bolt. Its not going to work unless he has a machine shop, and even then probably not likely.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Have you guys ever tried to center drill a snapped bolt? How about one that small? Its going to be impossible without a drill press. The bolt is tougher than the surrounding metal.

He will drill out the threads and will have to tap new ones and source a custom bolt. Its not going to work unless he has a machine shop, and even then probably not likely.

He has a chance if the vice is affixed to the drill press base.

I've done it to trem arms broken before.

 

[psycle_1]

Judging by the looks of the broken bolt, it looks as if it's already got a dip dead center. And since it's nearly flush with the edge of the saddle, he shouldn't screw up the threads as long as he stays dead center and works slowly. Spraying the bolt with some PB Blaster to get it to creep in the threads will help in easing the broken bolt out.

OP, worst case if you're not feeling comfortable about it, call a machine shop. They can probably get it out for you in 5-10 minutes.