• Members 1335 posts
    Feb. 19, 2026, 5:04 p.m.

    A screw-thread sheared leaving a piece in the body of the pump, grump.
    kronometric.org/phot/manor/work/water%20pump/1.jpg

    Tried to file some flats on the protruding "stud":
    kronometric.org/phot/manor/work/water%20pump/2.jpg

    Unfortunately, my trusty vice-grips just chewed it up:
    kronometric.org/phot/manor/work/water%20pump/3.jpg

    So, I drilled it out and used an Ez-out to unscrew it:
    kronometric.org/phot/manor/work/water%20pump/4.jpg

    et voila:
    kronometric.org/phot/manor/work/water%20pump/6.jpg

  • Members 1912 posts
    Feb. 19, 2026, 5:38 p.m.

    Well done for fixing it!
    If you have the skills, it’s a pleasure to mend things and see them working again. That’s something that you can do with many old things.
    But it’s not so easy any more with a lot of modern things; all full of incomprehensible tiny electronics and invisible software

  • Members 1335 posts
    Feb. 19, 2026, 5:50 p.m.

    Thanks!!

    I remember when the early Apple Macintosh needed a special screw-driver to open the case in order to upgrade bits inside.

    Then came the early iPhones where the hapless User couldn't even replace the battery ... only Apple could do that.

    I grew to dislike Jobs RIP and my Mac Performer has been dead-in-the-shed for years!

  • Members 678 posts
    Feb. 20, 2026, 12:20 p.m.

    Hi,

    Lucky guy. Not that it broke off, but that it left a stub for your Vise Grips. That is unusual. You didn't need to get out the left-handed drill bits, much less the Easy Outs.

    And, yes, there are left-handed twist drill bits especially for use in removing broken off fasteners. Since they rotate opposite normal right-handed ones, half the time they spin it out without needing the Easy Out.

    Stan

    Amateur Photographer
    Professional Electronics Development Engineer

  • Members 1335 posts
    Feb. 20, 2026, 3:11 p.m.

    Unfortunately, the vise grips didn't work, Stan. They chewed up the protruding part without undoing the remains so I had file it flat and drill what looks like a 1/8" hole and actually did use an Easy-Out plus a gallon or two of thread-easing stuff.

    Sorry that wasn't clear from the pics.

  • Members 2635 posts
    Feb. 21, 2026, 6:17 a.m.

    reminded me of my yacht fresh water pressure pumps.

  • Members 678 posts
    Feb. 21, 2026, 12:52 p.m.

    Hi,

    Ah. And here I thought you had it easy. If you don't have a Left Hand drill bit set, get one. I find that half the time Mr Busted there comes loose during the drilling step. The other half, of course, it is Easy Out time. Harbor Freight has a nice LH drill bit set for little money.

    Stan

  • Members 1335 posts
    Feb. 21, 2026, 5:05 p.m.

    Good well-meant advice, Stan.

    Sorry to tell you that, after a fall a few years ago, I can't do any such work any more. Can't stand longer than a minute or two: can't walk for any distance without a walker; my hands shake all the time; whine; whine ...