Stripped screw bar...help please.

[RobbDizzle]

In the process of switching straps and converting to spring bars on my new (to me) 088, I find that one of the screw bars has stripped on the head, and so there's no way for a screwdriver to get it out. Any suggestions? A search yields info on fixing stripped case threading, nothing on the bars themselves.

Pics for clicks:

 

[Q5?]

Have you applied downward force while unscrewing?
Good luck!!!

 

[hooligan]

Get a springbar tool or something similar and use it to push on the opposite end as you unscrew the bar. You might need an extra set of hands to make it easier.

 

[Q5?]

I defer to Master Hools.

 

[slimslim]

if worst comes to worst you can cut the strap (and lose it) and work the bar with a pair of pliers....not pretty or preferable but it should work...i would try what hooligan said first.

 

[RobbDizzle]

Have you applied downward force while unscrewing?
Good luck!!!

I have, but the bar is stripped at an angle, and the sides form a sort of "ramp" that lets the bit walk up the side quite easily

Get a springbar tool or something similar and use it to push on the opposite end as you unscrew the bar. You might need an extra set of hands to make it easier.

I'll give this a shot! Usually I pick up on the obvious solutions like this but I'm having a bit of a brain fart today.

if worst comes to worst you can cut the strap (and lose it) and work the bar with a pair of pliers....not pretty or preferable but it should work...i would try what hooligan said first.

Yeah, it's only as rep strap but I'd like to save it, as I have a few other non-PAMs that use a 24mm strap.

 

[shizm23]

edit, nevermind

 

[Q5?]

I have a black 24mm strap I'll send to you if you need it.

 

[MrYesterday]

I had a similar issue and I used side cutters to remove the inner piece of the bar, by snipping on each side of the strap. Then pushed out from the inside of the lug with a pick, while turning the screw head with a screwdriver (that I'd super glued into the slot). Have to be careful doing it though, because you could get glue in around the screw, and it would never come loose.

 

[RobbDizzle]

I got it out! Had to rest the watch head on a spring bar tool (balancing it with my free hand) and applied what felt to be enough pressure to break my micro-driver, but slowly and surely it backed out. This is why I stopped messing with screw bars a while ago

Q, turns out your strap was not necessary, but many thanks for the offer. Stand-up guy Now excuse me while I take a hammer and butane lighter to this infernal screw bar for wasting 40 minutes of my life!

 

[MrYesterday]

Get some cape cod for your poor, abused lug while you're at it, Robb lol Good job

 

[RobbDizzle]

Get some cape cod for your poor, abused lug while you're at it, Robb lol Good job

You read my mind, B Both are pretty bad. I'm going to clean it up, wear it for a few days, then (maybe) send it out for a relume.

 

[Q5?]

Hooli was right!

 

[hooligan]

Even a blind squirrel finds the occasional nut, Q5?.

Glad you got it sorted, Robb!