Delta Faucet set screw stuck, then hubby tried to drill out screw and broke off the tap out. what do i do now?

[Tammy Longest]

Delta faucet set screw won't budge, so hubby drilled out set screw placed tap
out and used pliers to turn it when that broke off in the hole. Now what
should we do to get that out and the set screw.

--
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[trader_4]

Without knowing what exactly this set screw goes into, no way to tell
you what all the options are. But sounds like you can forget about
getting the set screw out and proceed with whatever the other options
are, eg, removing/replacing a stem, the whole faucet, etc. Unless there
is enough of the "tap out" let, (whatever that is, assuming you mean an
easy out type screw extractor) so you can grip it with pliers and that
works, which seems unlikely.

[Jan Alter]

On 4/8/2016 9:44 AM, Tammy Longest wrote:
> Delta faucet set screw won't budge, so hubby drilled out set screw
> placed tap
> out and used pliers to turn it when that broke off in the hole. Now what
> should we do to get that out and the set screw.

Great dilemma you have. I read a web page of someone else who broke
their thread tap and wanted to drill it out. The suggestion was a
carbide drill bit.

http://www.shopyourway.com/questions/1089302

but I'm also thinking it might be a lot easier time-wise to put in a new
faucet.

Jan Alter

[bob haller]

if its a delta single handle..........

use a hacksaw to cut the handle apart, and the top of the ball, then replace parts as needed

[gfre...@aol.com]

On Fri, 08 Apr 2016 13:44:01 +0000, Tammy Longest
<caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> wrote:

>Delta faucet set screw won't budge, so hubby drilled out set screw placed tap
>out and used pliers to turn it when that broke off in the hole. Now what
>should we do to get that out and the set screw.

Contact Delta and get a free replacement. They are guaranteed for
life. Don't tell them about the drilling, just the problem that had
you working on it in the first place.

[Tammy Longest]

replying to trader_4, Tammy Longest wrote:
Could I try and drill out the tap out? Without getting this off I can not get
the faucet off.

[Tony944]

"Jan Alter" wrote in message news:ne8du2$ncc$1...@dont-email.me...

Carbide bit would not help especially if you have brooking tap
the only way to get tap out, you use old top sharping it up and
try to brake remaining part into micro peace's inside of hole, broking
peace's can be pull out by use of magnet or air pressure
(air use use safety glasses)
it is very slow process and in most cases you will need renew the
treads with larger tap (blind-tap) and installing larger set screw.
Note: before you use new tap make sure that all parts of old tap or out.

[trader_4]

The tap is hardened steel, basically it's as hard as a drill bit.
Theoretically, with the right drill bit, in the right set up, eg drill
press where you have total control, *maybe*, you could, but even then
I wouldn't waste my time attempting.
Where it is in the sink, with a handheld drill, fuggadaboutit.

I've yet to see a faucet where a set screw keeps you from just removing
and replacing the whole faucet.

[DerbyDad03]

On Friday, April 8, 2016 at 9:44:05 AM UTC-4, Tammy Longest wrote:

> Delta faucet set screw won't budge, so hubby drilled out set screw placed tap
> out and used pliers to turn it when that broke off in the hole. Now what
> should we do to get that out and the set screw.
>

Just imagine how much a picture would help.

[hrho...@att.net]

Tony944 really needs to get help with spelling!!!!!

[Oren]

On Fri, 8 Apr 2016 11:14:21 -0700 (PDT), hrho...@att.net wrote:

>Tony944 really needs to get help with spelling!!!!!

I tink he went to skewl in Australia and is an Ozzie from down under.

[Oren]

A link to the picture would be "more gooder" :)

[Micky]

On Fri, 08 Apr 2016 13:44:01 +0000, Tammy Longest
<caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> wrote:

>Delta faucet set screw won't budge, so hubby drilled out set screw placed tap
>out and used pliers to turn it when that broke off in the hole. Now what
>should we do to get that out and the set screw.

Kitchen faucet, bathroom, where?

One handle for hot and cold both, two handles?

If it's a single handle kitchen faucet, a hacksaw can cut through the
handle so it's removed and replaced. There's a quarter inch shaft in
the middle and if you're lucky, do a good job, you wont' damage that,
but if worst comes to worst you can buy a new ball too.

I only found it in white. Maybe make sure it's sold in chrome too
before cutting the current one in half.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta-Single-Lever-Kitchen-Handle-Kit-in-White-RP28898WH/203935431
$22

[Uncle Monster]

On Friday, April 8, 2016 at 8:44:05 AM UTC-5, Tammy Longest wrote:
> Delta faucet set screw won't budge, so hubby drilled out set screw placed tap
> out and used pliers to turn it when that broke off in the hole. Now what
> should we do to get that out and the set screw.
> --
>

What I've done in the past is to use my Dremel Tool with a carbide bur and grind the hardened tool steel out of the hole. Oh yea, tell hubby to invest in a tap wrench if he decides to run a tap into anymore holes. ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Tap Monster

[hrho...@att.net]

Do what Micky says!!!

[Paint...@unlisted.moo]

On Fri, 08 Apr 2016 23:11:26 -0400, Micky <NONONO...@bigfoot.com>
wrote:

If you do this, put ANTI-SIEZE on the threads of the new set screw.
Next time it will come right out.

[LenJP]

In news:bb659$5707dfd1$cf3aab60$6...@news.flashnewsgroups.com,
Tammy Longest <caedfaa9ed1216d60e...@example.com> typed:

> replying to trader_4, Tammy Longest wrote:
> Could I try and drill out the tap out? Without getting this off I
> can not get the faucet off.

Any chance that you could provide a photo or two? That would probably help.
If you take a photo with a digital camera you can use http://tinypic.com/ to
upload the photo(s) and it will give you a link to the photo(s) that you
could post here.

Without seeing what you really have there, one guess is that using a hack
saw (or maybe an angle grinder) to get the existing handle off may be a good
start -- then deal with the "tap out" that you said broke off once the
handle is out of the way.

[Mayayana]

| Could I try and drill out the tap out? Without getting this off I can not
get
| the faucet off.
|

It happens that I had the exact same problem this
week. I was going to replace the washers in our
kitchen faucet. The red/blue plug was hard to get
out, then I couldn't get the set screw to turn. I
tried WD-40 for a few days. No help. I've decided
to leave it for now and probably replace the faucet
if it ever gets leaky.

[Fred McKenzie]

In article <neb63j$mjk$1...@dont-email.me>,

It is too late for the OP, where a hacksaw appears to be the best tool
to use!

If it is just a stuck set screw, I would try using the correct Allen bit
in a drill that has a clutch for driving screws. With the clutch set to
the lowest number and drill set for reverse, it is unlikely to strip the
Allen screw. Vibration of the clutch slipping may loosen the screw.

Increasing the clutch setting may then be necessary if the screw does
not move. At some higher setting it may strip the Allen screw. Then
the hacksaw approach is less expensive than a new faucet.

Fred

[Colonel Edmund J. Burke]

On 4/8/2016 6:44 AM, Tammy Longest wrote:
> Delta faucet set screw won't budge, so hubby drilled out set screw
> placed tap
> out and used pliers to turn it when that broke off in the hole. Now what
> should we do to get that out and the set screw.

Kick hubby to the curb. He's obviously outa his league when it comes to
man's work.
He might be better off out in the garden, with the other pansies.

[Mustaffa Sheboygan]

In article <QJsOy.13916$S57....@fx08.iad>, burke...@t-girls.com
says...

Obviously, it never occurred to either of them, that maybe it would be
easier at this point to just replace the fucking faucet.

--
Mustaffa Sheboygan

[Colonel Edmund J. Burke]

On 4/8/2016 9:44 AM, Tony944 wrote:

> Carbide bit would not help especially if you have brooking tap
> the only way to get tap out, you use old top sharping it up and try to
> brake remaining part into micro peace's inside of hole, broking peace's
> can be pull out by use of magnet or air pressure (air use use safety
> glasses) it is very slow process and in most cases you will need renew
> the treads with larger tap (blind-tap) and installing larger set screw.
> Note: before you use new tap make sure that all parts of old tap or out.

Is it fair to say that Tony is an unlikely college graduate?
Just askin'.

[gfre...@aol.com]

Especially when Delta will send you a replacement for free.

[Mustaffa Sheboygan]

In article <vMtOy.27498$uo7....@fx02.iad>, burke...@t-girls.com
says...

ESL!

--
Mustaffa Sheboygan

[Tony944]

Not only that Tony is not college graduate but he does not have any English
education,
whatever he learn it is hard way that he is able to speak, read and write
"two languages"
neither god, but whatever he learn he did it at his own expanse and not at
tax payer
as some others have.

"Colonel Edmund J. Burke" wrote in message
news:vMtOy.27498$uo7....@fx02.iad...

[Molly Brown]

Get a Chicago brand faucet.
All other brands are junk.
You'll thank me in the long run.

[Micky]

On Fri, 08 Apr 2016 23:11:26 -0400, Micky <NONONO...@bigfoot.com>
wrote:

I only looked in HD, not elsewhere online.

Of course the worst would be you'd have to buy a whole faucet and just
use the handle. Then you'd have a spare faucet, but someday you'll
find someone with a bad faucet and a good handle. It's still a lot
easier than replacing the whole faucet which has some possibility of
creating leaks too.

[Micky]

Unlike some here, I love WD-40, but I think something like Liquid
Wrench would work better to unstick stuck screws. Maybe it's thinner?

[David]

"Colonel Edmund J. Burke" wrote in message
news:vMtOy.27498$uo7....@fx02.iad...

I noticed that.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Many college graduates (aside from engineers) have no idea which end of
a screwdriver to hold.

[Oren]

On Sun, 10 Apr 2016 17:41:41 -0400, Ed Pawlowski <e...@snet.net> wrote:

>Many college graduates (aside from engineers) have no idea which end of
>a screwdriver to hold.

Educated idiots, I tell ya.

Some "engineers"... have an addiction of self worth.

[Stormin Mormon]

One engineer told me of a friend who used
plus and minus screw drivers. Describing
the tip of the blade, of course.

-
.
Christopher A. Young
learn more about Jesus
. www.lds.org
.
.

[Oren]

On Sun, 10 Apr 2016 20:35:17 -0400, Stormin Mormon
<cayo...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>On 4/10/2016 6:07 PM, Oren wrote:
>> On Sun, 10 Apr 2016 17:41:41 -0400, Ed Pawlowski <e...@snet.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Many college graduates (aside from engineers) have no idea which end of
>>> a screwdriver to hold.
>>
>> Educated idiots, I tell ya.
>>
>> Some "engineers"... have an addiction of self worth.
>>
>
>One engineer told me of a friend who used
>plus and minus screw drivers. Describing
>the tip of the blade, of course.
>

I won't tell you about a truss engineer that took money to support a
gambling habit. I think my friend survived.

[Stormin Mormon]

On 4/10/2016 9:01 PM, Oren wrote:
> On Sun, 10 Apr 2016 20:35:17 -0400, Stormin Mormon

>> One engineer told me of a friend who used
>> plus and minus screw drivers. Describing
>> the tip of the blade, of course.
>>
>
> I won't tell you about a truss engineer that took money to support a
> gambling habit. I think my friend survived.
>

Oh, that's a real shame.

--

[Harry K]

On Sunday, April 10, 2016 at 9:33:19 AM UTC-7, Micky wrote:
> On Fri, 08 Apr 2016 23:11:26 -0400, Micky <NONONO...@bigfoot.com>
> wrote:
>

<snippage>

>
> I only looked in HD, not elsewhere online.
>
> Of course the worst would be you'd have to buy a whole faucet and just
> use the handle. Then you'd have a spare faucet, but someday you'll
> find someone with a bad faucet and a good handle. It's still a lot
> easier than replacing the whole faucet which has some possibility of
> creating leaks too.

Doesn't work, I have a stack of perfectly good left hand leather work gloves. I am right handed so that is the one that wears out. So far I haven't found a "lefty" to trade with :)

[Mayayana]

| Unlike some here, I love WD-40, but I think something like Liquid
| Wrench would work better to unstick stuck screws. Maybe it's thinner?

In this case it's also hard to get it in there. The
screw head points down when the water is off. I'd
have to turn off the water just to leave the screw
in a horizontal position. There's no way to leave it
so that the liquid can soak in.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Capillary action. It will soak in.

[David]

the english channel was published today

"Tony944" wrote in message
news:LJqdndF3kZEe5pfK...@giganews.com...

[Russell K Acton]

replying to Micky, Russell K Acton wrote:
I tried Liquid Wrench and I have used a soldering iron to heat it up but
nothing happens. The set screw is still stuck.

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/delta-faucet-set-screw-stuck-then-hubby-tried-to-drill-ou-883792-.htm

[inventor]

Unless you were born with a horseshoe up your butt you will never get that broken tap out unless you know someone with an EDM machine. Kenny Rodgers got it right when He said "U got to know when to Hold 'em, Know when to Fold'em. Odds are you will destroy the unit anyway so dissconnect it from the supply lines and trash it.

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/delta-faucet-set-screw-stuck-then-hubby-tried-to-drill-ou-883792-.htm

[inventor]

May as well just disconnect the water supply and replace the whole assembly

[Marilyn Manson]

[Marilyn Manson]

On Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 2:45:05 PM UTC-4, inventor wrote:

> Unless you were born with a horseshoe up your butt you will never get that broken tap out unless you know someone with an EDM machine. Kenny Rodgers got it right when He said "U got to know when to Hold 'em, Know when to Fold'em. Odds are you will destroy the unit anyway so dissconnect it from the supply lines and trash it.
>

Didn't Kenny Rodgers also say something about idiots who respond to 5 year threads as if they happened yesterday?

[inventor]

Your theory will get you lots of heartache Taps are made of carbonized heat-treated steel and are much harder (Rockwell 60). Unless your a professional machinist you probably have only Rockwell 40

[micky]

In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 22 Sep 2021 18:45:02 +0000, inventor

Reading the "full context" is a trip down memory lane. I miss Bob
Haller. Anyone know what happened to him?

[Scubadoo]

Use a 3/8" left-hand drill bit. The drill bit is long enough to clear the handle and has a small enough OD that it won't damage the threads in the setscrew hole. With the drill set to reverse (the cutting direction for LH drill bits), use short bursts, slow speed and check regularly to see if the setscrew has come loose. Be careful not to drill through the brass cartridge stem. Worked for me and the setscrew and handle were reusable.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On 4/26/2022 12:01 AM, Scubadoo wrote:
> Use a 3/8" left-hand drill bit. The drill bit is long enough to clear
> the handle and has a small enough OD that it won't damage the threads in
> the setscrew hole. With the drill set to reverse (the cutting direction
> for LH drill bits), use short bursts, slow speed and check regularly to
> see if the setscrew has come loose. Be careful not to drill through the
> brass cartridge stem. Worked for me and the setscrew and handle were
> reusable.
>

Are you sure of that size? Seems much too large going from memory.

[trader_4]

ROFL. That one be one hell of a set screw size for a faucet handle.

[Scubadoo]

Ah, sorry, I meant 3/16". The borehole for the setscrew is actually about 7/32". The older setscrews have a 1/8" Allen head but the idea is not to drill through the setscrew, thereby turning it into metal filings, but to get it to loosen with the LH drill bit rotating counter-clockwise. I was able to reuse both the setscrew and the handle.

[Scubadoo]

CORRECTION: Use a 3/16" LH drill bit, not 3/8".

[Scubadoo]

CORRECTION: Use a 3/16" LH drill bit, not 3/8".

[Scubadoo]

Sorry, yes, that would be a mammoth setscrew. I meant 3/16".