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Learned a trick for stuck panel screws that actually works
I was fighting a stripped #10 screw on a Cessna 172 cowling for 20 minutes, tried a sharp center punch and a hammer to tap it counter-clockwise and it came right out on the first hit. My lead mechanic said that method is a waste of time and damages the panel, but I had zero marring and saved replacing the whole screw. Anyone else use this approach or am I just getting lucky?
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gavin6921mo ago
Sucks when a lead doesnt back you up. Glad it worked though.
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the_linda1mo ago
Wow, I actually read something about this a while back. Tapping it counter-clockwise with a punch is an old trick that some old-timers swear by for seized screws. Honestly, it's wild how a little percussive maintenance can break that corrosion loose without messing up the panel.
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