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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Trailer deck screws

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Bus Driver

05-18-2007 12:39:51




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Some are no doubt familiar with the 1/4 x 20 self-tapping deck screws. Cut their own threads and are used for securing flooring on trailers. They are too hard to drill out, drill bits won't cut them. Hard to remove once they have rusted in place. I need to remove some decking, remove the screws and repair the frame underneath. I suspect that high heat will break the rust bond of the screws, but the wood decking will not handle that. Any suggestions on removing the screws and the decking? I want to reuse the decking.

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Bus Driver

05-19-2007 10:42:54




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 Re: Trailer deck screws in reply to Bus Driver, 05-18-2007 12:39:51  
As I feared, there is no magic answer. Combining some of the suggestions here, I plan to turn the whole thing over, heat the protruding threaded ends of the screws to red with small torch tip, then spray with penetrant. Turn the assembly back up and try to power-drive the screws out. They will either unscrew or break off. Then proceed from there. Lots of work no matter the process. Thanks for your suggestions.

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BCnT

05-19-2007 04:57:49




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 Re: Trailer deck screws in reply to Bus Driver, 05-18-2007 12:39:51  
you mite try smackin em in the middle of screw head with a hammer and punch...sometimes it will break the rust bond...i also try to tighten rusted fasteners a bit before loosening them...be sure and spray some penetrant below where threads stick thru frame so threads will be lubricated IF they move.
good luck



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johns48jdb

05-19-2007 04:50:49




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 Re: Trailer deck screws in reply to Bus Driver, 05-18-2007 12:39:51  
i liked the idea of grinding the heads off, but you have to look at the end of the boards in order to decide which way the board should go back down. if you'll notice the boards have rings in the from growth and if you think of them as a bowl the bowl should always go back on upside down. turning them the other way will actually trap water in the bottom of the "bowl" and cause it to rot faster.



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jra

05-18-2007 22:44:03




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 Re: Trailer deck screws in reply to Bus Driver, 05-18-2007 12:39:51  
I put a socket or bit for the type of screw I have on a 3/8" air wrench to take them out, a 1/2" would work ok to. There will be lots of them that will twist off so when you remove the decking you will have to drill holes in different places for new screws, or knock broken ones out with a punch and big hammer. That will make the holes to big for the same size screw so you would need larger ones if you want them in the same place or braze the holes closed and re drill. hard work anyway you do it.

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charlieLCDR

05-18-2007 19:57:29




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 Re: Trailer deck screws in reply to Bus Driver, 05-18-2007 12:39:51  
Busdriver

I replaced horse trailer deck some time ago. I used 6" grinder, ground heads off of the screws then used a crowbar and pried the boards up, pulling the screws through the boards. It was a chore but worked out ok. Of course it did leave a grove in the wood.

Good luck



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jmixigo

05-18-2007 17:17:08




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 Re: Trailer deck screws in reply to Bus Driver, 05-18-2007 12:39:51  
Bus Driver I been there, done that, an had no fun what so ever. Here's how I got er done. Took a 6 inch grinder with a sliceing wheel an kept workin it up in from the bottom. Once ya get the first set cut, wedgeing something under there will make the next set a bit easier.

Take yore time, have ample refreshments on hand, and warn wimmin an children to stay outa ear range.



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Russ from MN

05-18-2007 14:14:50




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 Re: Trailer deck screws in reply to Bus Driver, 05-18-2007 12:39:51  
Have them on one of my trailers and have a lot of trouble with them breaking off. Mine are clutch drive so you can't put a lot of torque on them. Maybe pry the boards up and get a sawzall in between, but they might be so hard that a sawzall won't cut them, Good luck



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El Toro

05-18-2007 13:22:28




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 Re: Trailer deck screws in reply to Bus Driver, 05-18-2007 12:39:51  
Could you use an acetylene/oxygen torch with a small tip or a cutting torch and lower the flame tip down like a pencil tip. Then don't squeeze the trigger. You may be able to flip those planks
over if the top is scorched. Hal



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