Screw stuck in ceiling electrical box....how to remove?

[Greenlight]

Hi Alan;

Well my heart goes out to you. Been there -- done it. If any of that screw
is sticking out enough for a small vise grip that would be nice, but that is
unlikely (you already tried that right?). What we do is drill it out.
Usually try a center punch first to try to center it. Get a sharp (newish)
drill bit for an 8/32 tap. Probably you will be off center enough that the
8/32 tap wont work so then drill it out for a 10/32 tap (with a sharp
drill), buy a 10/32 tap (any good electrician has at least one) and tap in a
new 10/32 thread. Get a 10/32 bold (phillips head preferred) one inch long
should be more than plenty unless the box is recessed a lot, then ease it
in with a big smile.

"Alan Wong" <chef...@skip-the-spam.mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:CsadOYSPK56wlE...@4ax.com...
> Hello-
>
> What's the best way to get a screw that is *broken* out of ceiling
> electrical box. The screw broke when I tried unscrewing it. It was
> tight and I guess it was mis-threaded already. Torquing on that
> screw didn't help and now I have a broken screw that is stuck
> in one of the mounting holes.
>
> I was planning to change my smoke detector but with the luck I have...
> this happens. Anyways...any electricians out there or anyone who's had
> this happen to them know what routes I can take in removing the screw.
>
> HELP!
>
> Thanks,
> Alan.........
> please remove the "skip-the-spam" from my email address

[TakeThisOut]

In article <kAkn5.117787$i5.16...@news1.frmt1.sfba.home.com>, "Greenlight"
<saha...@yahoo.com> writes:

>Probably you will be off center enough that the
>8/32 tap wont work so then drill it out for a 10/32 tap (with a sharp
>drill), buy a 10/32 tap (any good electrician has at least one)

And 3 or 4 broken ones in the box :-)
.
.
.
.
8 tickets from Miami to Washington DC- $4000.00
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Visa, it's everywhere you want to be, but can't get into.

[TakeThisOut]

In article <680tps81r6n2rv2od...@4ax.com>, Damien
<nom...@nomail.com> writes:

>A couple of other options...
>
>1. Get a self-taping screw.
>
>2. Use a sheet metal screw...my favorite.
>
>
>Damien
>

And also not to code. Fixtures, electrical devices, panel covers, etc, shall be
securely affixed with machine screws, or the screws provided with the product
intended for the purpose.