The bottom plate of one of the porch rails(wrought iron type), the screws have broken. I'm thinking have to use a carbide masonry bit to drill out the screw and anchor so I can put new ones in.
That sound good, or a better method that does not involve renting/borrowing equipment?
9 comments:
Taking time to drill around the anchors with a masonry bit will work. The bit works better if your drill has a hammer setting. The hole it leaves will probably require some repair to allow new anchors. Repair grout will work, but epoxy is much stronger.
Can you get an extractor bit into the sheared off bolts to back them out and avoid drilling it our completely?
A carbide masonry bit would not be my first choice. It will tend to walk all over the place.
Try to drill out the screw with a left hand thread metal drill bit.
If you use masonry bits and end up with a big hole, get a piece of threaded rod, that will fit through the base plate and set it in using a product called Rock tite. It is a hydraulic cement that pours like pancake batter but sets up fast.
Depending on the size of the baseplate relocating the holes might be an easier option.
It's going to depend on how the screws were anchored and how they failed. A lot of drop in style anchors just expand when you tighten the bolt so you may be able to drill out the threaded inner part, collapse the anchor, fish out the parts and reuse the hole in the concrete, or enlarge the hole for a bigger anchor. With epoxy anchors, or threaded set in wet concrete a hammer drill or rotary hammer and masonry bits will be needed.
What diameter are the broken screws? If they are large enough, you might be able to drill into them and use a screw extractor to back the screw out of the anchor.
You might be able to pull the broken screws by drilling into them and backing them out with a screw extractor.
I don't believe the carbide drill will fare well trying to drill out broken bolt. Anyway to drill new holes in new location? Regular dual purpose hammer drills are sub par for doing anything over 1/4". I use a dedicated rotary hammer drill. I picked up a Bosch and regularly use it in construction for holes up to 3/4" Drilsl like butter in concrete. doesn't work on metal. Good Luck
Lots of good advice, thanks.
They're small bolts, so first I'll try the left-hand drill bit, or drill and screw extractor, and go from there.
You really need to drill new holes. That being said the railing is where it is, drill out the old ones epoxy anchor bolts in place then after the epoxy hardens you can tighten the nuts and secure your railing.
Fitty
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