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A question about scope installation

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 1:57 pm
by DavidABQ
If someone accidently grabbed a superglue bottle instead of a blue loctite bottle, can the screws be removed with heat? Like putting,the tip of A soldering iron on the screwhead?

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 2:17 pm
by Doodaddy
DavidABQ wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2017 1:57 pm If someone accidently grabbed a superglue bottle instead of a blue loctite bottle, can the screws be removed with heat? Like putting,the tip of A soldering iron on the screwhead?
I've tried the heating of screws with a soldering iron tip pressed to it with no luck. I would think it is material dependent as far as how much the heat transfers so your mileage may vary. You could try solvents to dissolve the glue or at least weaken it, but be wary of the liquids making contact with the stock because it will certainly strip some finish. Especially if you're using acetone.

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 5:51 pm
by DavidABQ
Hmmmmm, I may have to buy a small angle grinder to cut the scope out of the rings. My current grinder is a little bulky for this kind of work.

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 8:18 pm
by CWS
First... try your wife's hair dryer once you have separated the wooden parts from the steel parts. I've seen it work more often than fail and you aren't going to tear anything up.

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 4:11 am
by DavidABQ
Thank you gentlemen for the advice. :D

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:10 am
by OldRanger
Go back under your bridge Troll-Boy! :D

Oh, I do have a ww2 flame thrower if you need a tad more heat.

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:53 am
by ywltzucanrknrl
Not my idea and I have no experience trying it, but I have some friends who make stocks and repair old ones----they have told me Acetone will soften it and allow the bond to be broken.

Good luck---have done my fingers, but warm water will generally get that.

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:06 am
by DavidABQ
Acetone? Is that the same stuff as mail polish remover? I was told that works too.

I like the chemical treatment over heat. I am less likely to damage anything.

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:07 am
by DavidABQ
OldRanger wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:10 am Go back under your bridge Troll-Boy!
Troll-Boy?

Hey, I have been behaving myself!

:roll:

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 12:37 pm
by Doodaddy
DavidABQ wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:06 am Acetone? Is that the same stuff as mail polish remover? I was told that works too.

I like the chemical treatment over heat. I am less likely to damage anything.
There is acetone in nail polish remover.

Head to a hardware store and grab some acetone. Apply it with qtips to limit contact with everything else. Acetone can strip finish and color. Great stuff but be cautious!

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:19 pm
by atomicbrh
If you have to cut the rings, use a high quality hacksaw.
More control than powered abrasives and no grit from abrasives landing in important parts. It is a lot easier cleanup.
I worked for 3 different gun stores. Stuck rings for various reasons are more common than you would think.

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:54 pm
by Jerry G
Good advice AB if the rings are AL. If they are steel, a cut-off wheel in a dremmel tool would work. I would cut the rings next to the screws to avoid damaging the scope.

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 7:03 am
by Bob259
DavidABQ wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:06 am Acetone? Is that the same stuff as mail polish remover? I was told that works too.

I like the chemical treatment over heat. I am less likely to damage anything.
Yes it is and usually removes super glue.

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 10:38 am
by DavidABQ
Jerry G wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:54 pm Good advice AB if the rings are AL. If they are steel, a cut-off wheel in a dremmel tool would work. I would cut the rings next to the screws to avoid damaging the scope.
A Dremel doesn't seem industrial enough to cut through something like well made scope rings? Are you sure they can do the job?

Re: A question about scope installation

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 4:23 pm
by Boyd L.
DavidABQ wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2017 1:57 pm If someone accidently grabbed a superglue bottle instead of a blue loctite bottle, can the screws be removed with heat? Like putting,the tip of A soldering iron on the screwhead?
I assume you're talking about ring screws that hold the two halves together and not base to receiver rings?
Since heat from a propane torch will loosen Loc-Tite 609, I'm sure it would have an impact on superglue, though I'm equally certain the undesired learning about the heat impact on an aluminum scope body, seals, plastic components, etc....isn't necessarily desired. In light of this, I would clamp the rifle or barreled action in a padded vise and get a well centered punch mark on the screw. After placing the rifle/barreled action in my mill vise (again padded), I would use a left hand twist bit at low speed. Don't have a mill? A good drill press with a decent vise works equally well.
I've used this technique to remove some really nasty bolts/screws from small items up to 3/4 " grade 5 bolts used to secure farm implements.
Good luck.