Tight Floor plate screw on a Fox sterlingworth, Pin Gun

[CLAYBORN]

I'm having trouble removing the forward floorplate screw. It is very tight. Any ideas that you might share with me? Thought about a impact screwdriver to break it loose. Any other methods??
Thanks,
Clay

[fullchoke16]

Give it a shot of PB Blaster and let it soak. Grind a screwdriver( with a square shank) to fit.Next you'll need a good non-marring vise to hold it. Get solid, square pressure down on the screwdriver and nudge it with a wrench on the square shank. This can also be done in a drill press for more down pressure if it comes to that.

[mike campbell]

First, I'd put a good shot of penetrating oil in the breech face cut-out for the rib extension (where the top lever trip pin protrudes). That's a direct route to the head of that screw from the inside. I'd let it sit right side up for a day or so. Then I'd turn it over and rap smartly on the head of the screw a dozen times with a nylon faced hammer. Then, with a PERFECTLY fitted screw driver inserted, I'd tap lightly on the butt of the driver handle a few times....then I'd try to turn it.

[CLAYBORN]

Gentleman, Your help is greatly appreciated.
Clay

[JakeFlyFish]

There is only one safe way to remove a really tight screw without messing up the head. You need a drill press. Unplug it before you do anything. Do NOT plug it back in until you are finished with the gun. This trick will work with any gun.
Find a bit from a screw driver set and fit it nicely to the slot in question. Chuck the bit up in the drill press. Again, the drill press is NEVER TURNED ON. Once the bit is chucked up tightly, place the gun with the slot in line with the bit. Now lower the bit into the slot by using the handle on the drill press you would use to lower a drill bit into work. Once the bit is in the slot, keep good pressure down on the bit, take the chuck in your hand while maintaining the downward pressure on the bit, and turn the chuck counterclockwise. If it will not turn, you may need to put a pipe wrench on the chuck. I have never ruined a screw or failed to remove a stuck screw with this method. Again, the drill press is NOT plugged in, this all happens manually.
PS. Two people make this a much easier process if an extra set of hands are available. Jerry

[CLAYBORN]

Thanks JakeFlyFish sounds like a good plan.
Later,
Clay

[spyder]

Jake FlyFish: What a great tip. I removed the screws of an AYA easily and buggerlessly whereas before I couldn't budge them. Then I got the forend iron off a Citori that had been giving me fits. The only tricky part for me was to ensure that the screw was square to the bit, but using a combination of scrap wood and metal washers I could square up everything. I love the little squeak you hear when those rust bonds are broken. P.S. having the Magna Tip Thin Bits helped too.

[CLAYBORN]

JakeFlyFish,
Got the screw out with no problem, didn't damage the screw, thanks for the great advice.
Later,
Clay

[JakeFlyFish]

I wish I could take credit for inventing this trick but it's not mine. Somewhere I picked it up years ago. My brother actually mentioned it to me one day. It came from Mitzy Beilen, a friend of ours that I believe worked for Fox. I know right up until his death Mitzy could install a single trigger in a Fox gun and it was 100% quality work and appeared to have been done at Fox. He was very good! The tip on the drill press came from Mitzy. Jerry Andrews