What is the secret to removing side plate screws on the old 5 screw model's I have one which the top plate screw and the bottom hammer strut adj screw seem to be stuck. There is no sign of out ward rust. I do not want to break these off.

What is the trick?

Penetrating oil and patience; you may have to put a drop of oil on a screw every day for a week or more before you free it. On the strain screw (or hammer strut adj. screw as you call it), you can oil it from both ends if you take the stocks off.

Breakfree and Kroil are both recommended.

__________________
David Wilson

Lay it horizontal and put some Kroil on the screws and let then soak, repeat as required. Make sure you have a screwdriver that fits the screw head exactly or you'll trash the head. The B Square screwdriver set has a driver that fits.

Lots and lots of patience... and marinating in a good penetrating oil as mentioned above. The top side plate screw in 5-screw guns are notorious for being stubborn.

Also as mentioned above, place the gun flat on a non marring material, and with it solidly supported, use a well fitting hollow ground gun smithing screw driver placed in the screw slot and tap the butt of the screw driver handle with a hammer as you slowly attempt to turn the screw.

You can also try applying heat to warm the metal until it is just uncomfortable to the touch before attempting to turn the screw while tapping in the screw driver handle.

Don't try to force it if there are no signs of it budging, go back to the soaking, and occasionally tap the side plate with a non marring hammer or the butt end of a plastic screw drive handle around the screw to try and break the bond the screw as it soaks.

Above all, when ever you begin to feel yourself getting frustrated or impatient while working on it, STOP... put it down and walk away from it and give it a break and fight the battle another day.

__________________
Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

As a last resort, you may want to try an impact screwdriver which you tap on the back and it turns a small increment for each tap. Have to use that on a lot of motorcycle screws.

Used to use oil of wintergreen--don't even know if you can get it any more--patience is the most important part of the equation, no matter what you're using for penetrant.

Jim