Bought A new 50 inch tonight... Ruined It!!! (UPDATE: END-RESULT Pic)

wdaleherring · 08:13 PM

Tonight I bough a new 50 inch TV. My current wall mount screws were not big enough so I drove to walmart after getting home to get some bigger machine screws... go home, still werent big enough. Left again, came back and this time they seemed to be going in but really, really tight. I thought that was just how it was supposed to be but then it got to a point where I figured I needed smaller. (the 1/4 was too small but the 5/16 was too big... Whats in between?!) As I was taking the screw out it broke! I CANNOT get this thing out, as you can tell, I have already scratched the back up.. HOW CAN I GET THIS OUT

Badger^2 · Nov 6, 2009, 02:41 AM

http://www.toolbarn.com/irwinvisegrip-0502l3.html

and its probably metric, nice american

wdaleherring · Nov 6, 2009, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger^2

http://www.toolbarn.com/irwinvisegrip-0502l3.html

and its probably metric, nice american

I am waking up bright and early to get this from home depot. I hope that it works..

Thank you!

Zombie Acorn · Nov 6, 2009, 03:10 AM

plyers, small pipe wrenches might work too if you have it worn down where theres nothing to grip anymore.

MorphingDragon · Nov 6, 2009, 03:42 AM

You might wanna get some metallic touch up paint for the scratches.

snberk103 · Nov 7, 2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorphingDragon

You might wanna get some metric touch up paint for the scratches.

Fixed that for you...

Rodimus Prime · Nov 6, 2009, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger^2

http://www.toolbarn.com/irwinvisegrip-0502l3.html

and its probably metric, nice american

It is sad that the metric part never clicked.

Simple rule. If it is a imported item in to the US it will be metric bolts. Hell even many american parts are metric.'

If it is a domestic company then it is hit or miss if it is metric or standard. Hell do not be surprised if you see both on different parts of the same product. Annoying as well when you are working on something.

As for OP. Cances are pretty good that you are screwed. The bolt is more than likely cross threaded and has ruined the treads on the TV. All you can do is get one of those tools that will enlarge and retread the hole assuming you can even get out the old bolt.

OllyW · Nov 6, 2009, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodimus Prime

As for OP. Cances are pretty good that you are screwed. The bolt is more than likely cross threaded and has ruined the treads on the TV. All you can do is get one of those tools that will enlarge and retread the hole assuming you can even get out the old bolt.

Once they have removed the broken screw there's a good chance that running the correct size tap down the hole will at least make the thread usable again with the correct size screw. If it's a little bit loose you can use some threadlock to hold the screw in place.

If you find the thread is too damaged to use, find a local engineering workshop and ask about Helicoil thread repairs.

edesignuk · Nov 6, 2009, 04:20 AM

I have no suggestions, but that royally sucks. Sorry to see it

Think I'd just about slip in to depression if that happened to a new piece of tech I'd bought!

MacBoobsPro · Nov 6, 2009, 04:37 AM

Good job its on the back because i'd be dribbling in a corner if i had done that to something and it was visible.

You may want to try cooling the bolt (somehow) so it contracts a little and it should make it easier to screw back out with some plyers.

toolbox · Nov 7, 2009, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edesignuk

Think I'd just about slip in to depression if that happened to a new piece of tech I'd bought!

So would i too, i get annoyed when people don't take care of the tech period.

wdaleherring · Nov 6, 2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger^2

http://www.toolbarn.com/irwinvisegrip-0502l3.html

and its probably metric, nice american

If I lived In Cali I would come kiss you right now... on the lips!

WOOHOO!

(FOR THE RECORD: The guy at home depot told me that this would not work [I showed him a pic] and that it would probably only break it off more)

BraveArts · Nov 6, 2009, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdaleherring

Tonight I bough a new 50 inch TV. My current wall mount screws were not big enough so I drove to walmart after getting home to get some bigger machine screws... go home, still werent big enough. Left again, came back and this time they seemed to be going in but really, really tight. I thought that was just how it was supposed to be but then it got to a point where I figured I needed smaller. (the 1/4 was too small but the 5/16 was too big... Whats in between?!) As I was taking the screw out it broke! I CANNOT get this thing out, as you can tell, I have already scratched the back up.. HOW CAN I GET THIS OUT

From your photo you seem to have enough of the screw protruding to take a hacksaw and saw a cut through the middle of the screw. This will create a new head to insert a normal minus screw driver and extract the screw (slowly). Good luck.

BTW, in terms of what screws you actually need, I'm sure it'll tell you what size in the instruction booklet that came with the tele :-)

wdaleherring · Nov 6, 2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BraveArts

From your photo you seem to have enough of the screw protruding to take a hacksaw and saw a cut through the middle of the screw. This will create a new head to insert a normal minus screw driver and extract the screw (slowly). Good luck.

BTW, in terms of what screws you actually need, I'm sure it'll tell you what size in the instruction booklet that came with the tele :-)

The most frusterating thing up front was that it said use the four m8 screws that are INCLUDED which definitely are not. I don't even know what those are. I don't understand that if a 1/4 was too small and a 5/16 was too big what is in between?

robbieduncan · Nov 6, 2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdaleherring

I don't understand that if a 1/4 was too small and a 5/16 was too big what is in between?

These are imperial measurements. M8 is metric.

wdaleherring · Nov 6, 2009, 10:26 AM

My baby took a beating but it worked. THANK EVERYBODY! You guys are the best. If I ever get on who wants to be a millionaire MacRumors will be my phone a friend!

Its funny because the outside is so jacked up and then when you take it out it looks as if nothing has happened from the inside... So one more thing... (hehe)

If a 1/4 was too small and a 5/16 was too big... What do I use?

OllyW · Nov 6, 2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdaleherring

If a 1/4 was too small and a 5/16 was too big... What do I use?

If it says M8 then that is what you need. M8 is more or less the same diameter as 5/16 but the thread has a different pitch. This is why the 5/16 screw snapped when you tried to tighten it up.

wdaleherring · Nov 6, 2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OllyW

If it says M8 then that is what you need. M8 is more or less the same diameter as 5/16 but the thread has a different pitch. This is why the 5/16 screw snapped when you tried to tighten it up.

Nice knowledge base! I guess walmart isnt the place to go... I didnt see anything that said M8 (and to be honest I don't know much about tools, obviously). I live in the middle of EVERYTHING and anything you could imagine... 2 malls, best buy, target, walmart, restaraunts, etc, etc. But the one thing that is not within 3 miles are home depots and lowes'. damn. Oh well.

arkitect · Nov 6, 2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdaleherring

My baby took a beating but it worked.

Congratulations.

I bet you sweated bullets… I'd have hated to have that happend to me.

wdaleherring · Nov 6, 2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkitect

Congratulations.

I bet you sweated bullets… I'd have hated to have that happend to me.

You have no idea... words cannot describe. I was to the point where I was honestly like, if I can't mount it then I don't even want it.

iBlue · Nov 6, 2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdaleherring

You have no idea... words cannot describe. I was to the point where I was honestly like, if I can't mount it then I don't even want it.

Well, I'm glad you got that thing out of there then.

arkitect · Nov 6, 2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBlue

Well, I'm glad you got that thing out of there then.

Naughty.

But very nice.

Darth.Titan · Nov 6, 2009, 10:49 AM

Go to an auto parts store. They always have a pretty good selection of metric-sized bolts. I can also find them sometimes at Lowe's, but Home Depot apparently denies the existence of metric sizes.

XNine · Nov 7, 2009, 01:23 AM

Ya know, you can always take the chuck of the drill and tighten it around something like a screw, and put it in reverse and get it out that way...

phas3 · Nov 7, 2009, 02:27 PM

if you don't mind me asking what brand was that?

Nov 6, 2009, 02:23 AM	#1
wdaleherring macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2007	Bought A new 50 inch tonight... Ruined It!!! (UPDATE: END-RESULT Pic) Tonight I bough a new 50 inch TV. My current wall mount screws were not big enough so I drove to walmart after getting home to get some bigger machine screws... go home, still werent big enough. Left again, came back and this time they seemed to be going in but really, really tight. I thought that was just how it was supposed to be but then it got to a point where I figured I needed smaller. (the 1/4 was too small but the 5/16 was too big... Whats in between?!) As I was taking the screw out it broke! I CANNOT get this thing out, as you can tell, I have already scratched the back up.. HOW CAN I GET THIS OUT Attached Thumbnails __________________ (My first Mac!) Next Gen iMac (Whenever it comes out) White iPhone 3G S 16Gb iPod Touch 1st Gen 8Gb iPod Nano 4th Gen 8Gb Last edited by wdaleherring : Nov 6, 2009 at 08:13 PM.

Nov 6, 2009, 02:41 AM	#2
Badger^2 macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sacramento	this will grip it http://www.toolbarn.com/irwinvisegrip-0502l3.html and its probably metric, nice american __________________ 24" 2.4 iMac/4 gigs/640 gig+20" Dell 2001 20" 2.4 iMac/4 gigs/640 gig+24" Dell 2405 20" 2.0 iMac/4 gigs/320 gig+20" Dell 2001 20" 2.13 iMac/3 gigs/320 gig+20" Dell 2007

Nov 6, 2009, 03:10 AM	#4
Zombie Acorn macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2009	plyers, small pipe wrenches might work too if you have it worn down where theres nothing to grip anymore. __________________ --2.6 C2Q 4gb DDR3 GTX 260-Win 7-- --2.0 CE Macbook Alum-Leopard--

Nov 6, 2009, 03:42 AM	#5
MorphingDragon macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: If I showed you a map, you still wouldn't know.	You might wanna get some metallic touch up paint for the scratches. __________________ The last R&C game is a dawn of a new era, one filled with Medicore FPSes. Stop bitching and moaning and give Apple your steaming spoonful, http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Nov 6, 2009, 04:20 AM	#9
edesignuk Demi-God (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Great(?) Britain	I have no suggestions, but that royally sucks. Sorry to see it Think I'd just about slip in to depression if that happened to a new piece of tech I'd bought! __________________ Search before you post: MRoogle **Better BBC Search**

Nov 6, 2009, 04:37 AM	#10
MacBoobsPro macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2006	Good job its on the back because i'd be dribbling in a corner if i had done that to something and it was visible. You may want to try cooling the bolt (somehow) so it contracts a little and it should make it easier to screw back out with some plyers.

Nov 6, 2009, 10:26 AM	#16
wdaleherring Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2007	My baby took a beating but it worked. THANK EVERYBODY! You guys are the best. If I ever get on who wants to be a millionaire MacRumors will be my phone a friend! Its funny because the outside is so jacked up and then when you take it out it looks as if nothing has happened from the inside... So one more thing... (hehe) If a 1/4 was too small and a 5/16 was too big... What do I use? __________________ (My first Mac!) Next Gen iMac (Whenever it comes out) White iPhone 3G S 16Gb iPod Touch 1st Gen 8Gb iPod Nano 4th Gen 8Gb

Nov 6, 2009, 10:49 AM	#23
Darth.Titan macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2007	Go to an auto parts store. They always have a pretty good selection of metric-sized bolts. I can also find them sometimes at Lowe's, but Home Depot apparently denies the existence of metric sizes.

Nov 7, 2009, 01:23 AM	#24
XNine macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?	Ya know, you can always take the chuck of the drill and tighten it around something like a screw, and put it in reverse and get it out that way... __________________ On Diebold: "i went to get cash last night and ended up voting republican. wonder how much that's gonna cost me." -Zimv20

Nov 7, 2009, 02:27 PM	#25
phas3 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2008	if you don't mind me asking what brand was that?

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