Stuck Mainspring Screw

99whip · October 14, 2015, 04:55 PM

The mainspring screw seems really stuck on a recent pickup that I'd like to tear down and give a good cleaning, an 1849 Pocket Revolver. I do have good hollow-ground bits that fit, but feels like it is taking much more effort than necessary to break it free and don't want to snap the head off. Maybe a good soaking in 50/50 ATF/Acetone will do it? Any other words of wisdom?

Goatwhiskers · October 14, 2015, 05:22 PM

That penetrant mix outperforms all other "penetrants" hands down in my experience. Just keep in mind that it doesn't work in 5 minutes (neither does anything else), you gotta give it time to work, sometimes a couple of days is worth the wait, putting another drop or two on whenever you think about it. A heat gun, not a torch, helps to break the bond that has formed. My theory is that the acetone is so thin that it creeps in to any crack it can find and leaves a little oil behind. I have used it to remove choke tubes that have been rusted in literally for years, when it comes out there is oil all the way down the threads. Good luck. GW

44 Dave · October 14, 2015, 06:52 PM

Get the hammer out of the way and swing the spring while turning the screw.
Holding the frame in a vice is necessary and getting the load off of the screw will help.

99whip · October 15, 2015, 11:08 AM

Got it, thanks fellas. Soaked over nite, put it in the vise grip, gave it a few light taps, swung the spring, came right out. Piece of cake..

October 14, 2015, 04:55 PM	#1
99whip Member Join Date: April 30, 2015 Posts: 21	Stuck Mainspring Screw The mainspring screw seems really stuck on a recent pickup that I'd like to tear down and give a good cleaning, an 1849 Pocket Revolver. I do have good hollow-ground bits that fit, but feels like it is taking much more effort than necessary to break it free and don't want to snap the head off. Maybe a good soaking in 50/50 ATF/Acetone will do it? Any other words of wisdom?

October 14, 2015, 05:22 PM	#2
Goatwhiskers Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2009 Location: Batchelor, La. Posts: 579	That penetrant mix outperforms all other "penetrants" hands down in my experience. Just keep in mind that it doesn't work in 5 minutes (neither does anything else), you gotta give it time to work, sometimes a couple of days is worth the wait, putting another drop or two on whenever you think about it. A heat gun, not a torch, helps to break the bond that has formed. My theory is that the acetone is so thin that it creeps in to any crack it can find and leaves a little oil behind. I have used it to remove choke tubes that have been rusted in literally for years, when it comes out there is oil all the way down the threads. Good luck. GW

October 14, 2015, 06:52 PM	#3
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	Get the hammer out of the way and swing the spring while turning the screw. Holding the frame in a vice is necessary and getting the load off of the screw will help.

October 15, 2015, 11:08 AM	#4
99whip Member Join Date: April 30, 2015 Posts: 21	Got it, thanks fellas. Soaked over nite, put it in the vise grip, gave it a few light taps, swung the spring, came right out. Piece of cake..