Can I dissolve this screw post

[AlexeiJ1]

Hey everyone

Just working on an omega 1040 and found a snapped bolt in one of the posts. 

The bridge is 1040-1002 and none for sale with the post. 

 Can I dissolve it in alum? Will the post get eaten away too or is just the screw made from mild steel? 

 

Cheers 

Alex. 

 

[vinn3]

Quote

 

good post !     a better way is to losed it with penitrating oil.   vin

[Nucejoe]

According to OH you should know your metals, nevertheless, if you get the alum  to stay on top of the screw only, it'll be alright. It will take several applications to remove enough steel off of the screw to a point you can just punch the remaining out.

On pricy pieces, alum is the last resort, as vinn pointed out penetrating oil should work, there are also dedicated tools for the task.

[watchweasol]

Hi   as like as not Alum would destroy the post and screw Therefore stick with the penetrating oil and if that wont work  get hold of a screw extractor.

[nickelsilver]

Yes, I agree with watchweasol, that post is steel and will be destroyed with the screw. I've encountered a number of broken screws of that type on Omega chronos, in my experience with a little patience they can be worked out- they aren't actually tight in the threads if they aren't rusted. If you don't have a screw extractor you can simulate it with a staking tool, you need a stake and punch that get to the screw, you catch it from both ends and then turn the whole movement around to unscrew. If you have an Inverto type set two punches may work better. I believe it's a 0.8mm screw, so you need pretty small stake/punch, like 0.6mm.

 

The post itself can be pressed out too, but you would need a source for a spare one or be able to make one. Getting the screw out is the best route.

Edited March 9, 2020 by nickelsilver

[AlexeiJ1]

11 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

Yes, I agree with watchweasol, that post is steel and will be destroyed with the screw. I've encountered a number of broken screws of that type on Omega chronos, in my experience with a little patience they can be worked out- they aren't actually tight in the threads if they aren't rusted. If you don't have a screw extractor you can simulate it with a staking tool, you need a stake and punch that get to the screw, you catch it from both ends and then turn the whole movement around to unscrew. If you have an Inverto type set two punches may work better. I believe it's a 0.8mm screw, so you need pretty small stake/punch, like 0.6mm.

 

The post itself can be pressed out too, but you would need a source for a spare one or be able to make one. Getting the screw out is the best route.

Right, Nickel You have been the most helpful!

Cheers.
Good to know the post is mild steel as well. I was looking for confirmation.

Yes the spares are unavailable. There is no part number listed by Omega. The bridges on ebay have already had theirs harvested.

I was going to buy the bergeon extractor but that is 60 GBP I'd rather save.

I will try some penetrating oil and then use my staking set to try the trick! Cheers.

Worst case I will but the set.

I don't have the skills to make one sadly. I only service 100 or so watches a year for myself and friends and 5k for a lathe doesn't work out well.