Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Newell Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: steelfish on September 20, 2025, 05:49:27 PM

Title: 344-FJ Blackie bar with broken screw
Post by: steelfish on September 20, 2025, 05:49:27 PM
I had and still have really hard time trying to take the broken screw out of the aluminum bar of this blackie reel

I already tried heat and no avail

any tip is appreciated, the reel is from a customer not mine

as you can see the part of the screw is already deformed by the locking pliers, I dont have many tools or even a machine shop near from me
Title: Re: 344-FJ Blackie bar with broken screw
Post by: Swami805 on September 20, 2025, 06:41:30 PM
A good penetrating oil like kroil, heat and some vice grips for the screw and a well anchored vice. Something to cover the bar so you don't mangle it in the vice. If all else fails I'll send you a bar to replace it
Title: Re: 344-FJ Blackie bar with broken screw
Post by: steelfish on September 20, 2025, 06:55:03 PM
I will try it again with more heat and more oil
Title: Re: 344-FJ Blackie bar with broken screw
Post by: MACflyer on September 20, 2025, 09:04:21 PM
Some success leaving the penetrating oil soak overnight. Also, Alan's tip of turning clockwise before turning counter-clockwise has helped a few times, but that was with the head attached.
Title: Re: 344-FJ Blackie bar with broken screw
Post by: Cortez_Conversions on September 20, 2025, 09:28:28 PM
I probably have a replacement crossbar for you, Alex.
Please PM me and I'll look for it Monday
Title: Re: 344-FJ Blackie bar with broken screw
Post by: foakes on September 21, 2025, 01:36:45 AM
You have some good offers from a couple of good members for replacement bars, Alex.

To get the screw out —- freeze the bar in the freezer, then apply some heat, then clamp the bar in a wood-faced vise, then use a pair of these Knipex Extractor pliers.  It should back out.

These extractors are spooky effective from either a straight-on approach, or from a 90° approach.

There is enough meat still showing for these to work very well.  They grip much better than vise-grips, and seldom fail to extract a busted off screw or bolt.

Best, Fred
Title: Re: 344-FJ Blackie bar with broken screw
Post by: oc1 on September 21, 2025, 04:17:10 AM
Thank you Fred.  Never heard of extractor pliers.

Alex, for something critical like this I take the time to sharpen the little ridges in the plier jaws with a small file.  Sometimes that's the difference in having the pliers bite into something versus having it skid across the surface.
Title: Re: 344-FJ Blackie bar with broken screw
Post by: MarkT on September 21, 2025, 04:31:58 AM
Knipex twin grips are great! That looks pretty easy to get out with the above suggestions!