Fixing a screw boss on a wah?

[iamjackslackof]

Howdy folks,

I am trying to repair a screw boss on a wah pedal. It seems to have broke off at some point. I'm not sure how to approach this. My thought so far was to use something like JB Weld or epoxy to build it back up somehow. Maybe insert a screw or stick or something into the hole until it cures, and hope I can pull it back out?

I'm hoping someone has encountered this before, or have some ideas on how to fix it. Pic attached.

Thanks!

 

[Erik S]

Maybe just use three screws from now on?

 

[iamjackslackof]

Maybe just use three screws from now on?

I would, but it makes the wah off balance and not user friendly at all I guess I could glue the rubber bumper thing to the back plate. That might work just as well. And this is why I asked here, solutions abound lol.

 

[Erik S]

Oh, the screws hold the feet on huh? That makes sense.

Gluing the bumper on would be a nice simple fix.

 

[KreoPensas]

If the broken piece is available, epoxy *around* it. Don't try to epoxy the break.

IF the broken bit isn't available, do not epoxy the screw in, that rarely ends well. . Sculpt a new boss, drill and tap it.

"Steelstick" is probably overkill. Water Weld or any generic equivalent like Harvey's. That stuff is very useful and worth getting to know.

 

[iamjackslackof]

If the broken piece is available, epoxy *around* it. Don't try to epoxy the break.

IF the broken bit isn't available, do not epoxy the screw in, that rarely ends well. . Sculpt a new boss, drill and tap it.

Broken piece is gone, so sculpting seems like my best bet.

 

[Erik S]

If you're resigned to drilling and tapping, you could try cutting what's left off level, drill that hole deeper, tap threads in it, and just use a long screw on that corner.

 

[KreoPensas]

what he said ^

From what I see, if you have that tap handy, just extend the threads deeper and try the longer screw. The bit left over acts as a spacer.

 

[iamjackslackof]

If you're resigned to drilling and tapping, you could try cutting what's left off level, drill that hold deeper, tap threads in it, and just use a long screw on that corner.

That's a good idea too, hadn't thought of that. Looks like I have lots of options now!

 

[Stickman393]

Mmm. I've fucked around lots with this.

I recommend a two-step process: first, sculpt a new boss with steelstick epoxy putty as described. But what I will say about steelstick is that it is not very strong in and of itself. You will likely end up stripping the hole again with the fine threads of a #6-32 screw.

My recommendation is, instead of directly tapping for a #6-32 screw, to instead pick up a #6-32 STI kit. The brand name here would be "helicoil". These are stainless steel threaded inserts that are meant to repair stripped threaded holes - they exert an outward force on the perimeter of the hole and *vastly* increase the strength of the connection.

 

[Feral Feline]

Cement Mixer, Putty Putty...

+1 to Stickyman's helicoil.

I'd also go that route, get some of the metal-epoxy-putty (ex JBWeld) and if not using the helicoil then rebuild around a saran-wrapped screw (wrap is so you can get the screw out once the putty has set).



I had to repair a bike-rack with the metal-putty, and with an XLR wheelskewer as a splint and some bailing wire and zap-strap reinforcement — rack survived another month of that offroad-tour. In fact, the rack is still good to go a decade later.