[TowerTalk] HyGain HDR300 removal stalled due to stuck setscrew

[Jim Dawson]

 I have a set of Irwin "easy-outs" that include reverse drill bits. I've had 
really good
luck removing stuck set screws with them. The first step is to drill the 
screw with the
appropriate size bit. Set the cordless drill in reverse and, usually, the 
screw will come
out when the drill bit bites into it. If not, switch to the easy out and 
back it out.

Jim - K9DD


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <al.n6ta at gmail.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 11:03 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] HyGain HDR300 removal stalled due to stuck setscrew


>I need to remove my old HyGain HDR300 rotator from the Rohn 45 shelf.  I
> bought something new.  Stuck hardware is keeping me from getting it down. 
> I
> may need to drill out a setscrew.  If you are interested, read on.
>
>
>
> The rotor shaft is attached to the 'platform' to which the mast clamps
> mount.  The rotator cannot be taken from the tower if the platform cannot 
> be
> removed to allow the motor's shaft to drop back through the shelf hole. 
> The
> motor mounts below the shelf and the platform above the shelf.  The mast 
> is
> not putting any weight on the platform/shaft now.  The clamps are sloppy
> loose and will come off.  Not the platform.
>
>
>
> The platform is held to the shaft with a key and a setscrew  The setscrew 
> is
> orthogonal to the shaft.  It is a 1/4x20 screw that should take a 1/8' hex
> key.  The screw looks like stainless since it is shiny.  I have sprayed it
> with WD40 and that did not help.  I sprayed it good with BP Blaster and 
> let
> it sit a few minutes while up the tower.  Still not loose.  Now, the hex 
> key
> seems to be 'rolling' its edges.  'Slipping' in the setscrew hex hole. 
> I'd
> like to think if I get a new Allen wrench of high quality, it will work. 
> I
> will try. But no way to know if the screw is also compromised and no 
> longer
> having a good hex hole.  Looking at it from 6" away without the 'good
> glasses'.
>
>
>
> So, if I had to drill out this screw or take some unusual measures, does
> anyone know how to do it?  Like, start with what size drill and move to 
> what
> next size, etc.  Drill inside the hole in the screw or start bigger and
> outside the hex hole.  Or, grab the platform with a come along and try to
> pull it off?  I will be doing this from above and prefer to know what I am
> doing before fumbling more than I have already.  I doubt I can remove the
> shelf with rotator/platform attached due to its size.  I have not tried 
> that
> yet.
>
>
>
> Anybody out there that has had to deal with a similar problem?
>
>
>
> It's always the easy things that curse at me when I start the job..
>
>
>
> TNX de Al-N6TA
>
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