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Broken bolt in an 80's Gretsch lug...

Posts: 242 Threads: 45

Hi All,

I spent much of my Christmas break tearing down an 80's Gretsch kit that was dirty and in need of a good clean. I polished the shells, took all the hardware off and apart and polished all the metal parts individually, except the badges of course. Good times and very gratifying. See pic 1.

Finished up the bass drum yesterday. The screws attaching some of the lugs on the BD were really stiff and sticky and somehow just didn't feel right coming off. Upon closer inspection, three of the screws were stripped along the first few threads. They wouldn't thread back in.

I replaced two of the screws at the hardware store and they reinstalled OK, but one was pretty tight... then BAM. She snapped. See pic 2.

What would YOU do now?

Side comment - the 50's and 60's Gretsch drums I've taken apart had no issues with any of the lug attachment screws. Ahhhh, Brooklyn.

[IMG][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5295143249_8a967c326c.jpg[/img] IMG_1236 by johnfatboylalley, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5305246708_18b992fc37.jpg[/img]

photo (1) by johnfatboylalley, on Flickr[/IMG

Muchas gracias - El Stinko
Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 476 Threads: 89

Try to replace the lug if you can. Otherwise CAREFULLY drill and retap,get the proper screws. I am not sure of the screw size someone here will know for sure. And a nice looking drum. I like that color!

Cheers,BigE

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 1273 Threads: 22

Maybe a little heat and an "easy out" (that's what they used to be called). A kit that has a specific-sized drill and a left-hand thread tap. Drill the hole, tap the threads and insert the left-hand screw. Perhaps with a very little amount of heat and start tightening the screw, which will tighten, thus, hopefully, start backing the broken screw out (might not even need the heat). Or, buy another lug (easier). I see them all the time on ebay.

Good luck and nice looking tom.

B

Vintage Drum Fan (Not a Guru)
Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 1 Threads: 0

Hi

Useful information , great post . Thanks for sharing !!Jumping2

Andhra tourism tirupati | Holiday in andhrapradesh | Kerala beach tourismflower

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 2237 Threads: 272

If you dont have a easout set, and cant find one reasonable, take it to a machine shop and see what they say. They could either get the broken screw out ot drill it and retap it.

From AZBill

Maybe a little heat and an "easy out" (that's what they used to be called). A kit that has a specific-sized drill and a left-hand thread tap. Drill the hole, tap the threads and insert the left-hand screw. Perhaps with a very little amount of heat and start tightening the screw, which will tighten, thus, hopefully, start backing the broken screw out (might not even need the heat). Or, buy another lug (easier). I see them all the time on ebay.Good luck and nice looking tom.B

1960's SONOR 12-16-20-14 blue slate pearl
1968 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-14Sky blue P
1972 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-14BlueVistalite
1972 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-(14 impostor)BlackPanther "SOLD"
1964 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl 22-12-13-16-14Supra "SOLD"
1969 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-14 Citrus Mod "SOLD"
1969 LUDWIG Sexto-Plus 8-1 0-12-13-14-15-16-20-20-14 Silver Sparkle
60's Majestic Delux 12-13-16-22-14 red pearl
2009 Homemade Kids 8-10-13-16-12 Orange Sparkle
24 kits, 80 Snares, 65 Cymbals
Don't tell my wife!
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 242 Threads: 45

Thanks for your input everyone!

Muchas gracias - El Stinko
Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 44 Threads: 19

Try this, it's like an easy out:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=grabit+screw+extractor&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=10215817461121950677&ei=hm0eTYPVC4Kr8AbziKH4DQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCgQ8wIwAg#

You may have to search further to get the proper size bit, but they work pretty good.

I suspect that the thread pitch on the replacement screw you got didn't match exactly that on the lug, so you had to over torque it. If so, the lug insert could be messed up beyond repair. You may want to just get a replacement lug?

Greg

1953 Gretsch 22/13/16/6X14 "Name Band"
2001 Gretsch 22/10/12/14 "Catalina Elite"
2011 Gretsch 18/12/14 "Catalina Club Jazz"
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 109 Threads: 17

Gretsch from that era seem to be prone, to that problem. I learned, and was told don't take off your 80-90's Gretsch lugs. They are self-taping, and they drill, jam them things on there. They are great sounding drums...just don't take off the lugs. What is the price for those things these days ?

peace

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 2197 Threads: 202

I would make a slot across the top with a Dremel wheel,soak it in WD for a day and heat that area with a torch on low heat ,then try backing the broken stud out with a small flathead screwdriver.What have you got to loose?I've never had good luck with easy outs on items that small-you need to drill out most of the entire broken screw,and it almost always wanders.

Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 100 Threads: 12

Don't put a torch to it! That pot metal will melt!

Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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