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58mark wrote:here's an honest question. Is it better to have a "break away" valve section than one that bends and warps? in a major accident, I would rather drill out a screw than try to have a bunch of tubing straightened

Do you REALLY think the manufacturer gave that much thought to it?

I wouldn't want the screws in my stuff to be made of a stronger metal - I'd prefer that if one or the other is to strip or wear away, it will be the relatively easily replaced screw.

I suppose it depends on how you're set up. A friend drilled out a screw for me - or rather I think the correct term is he milled it out, using a rather large machine and devices that insure a relatively accurate job. Then he pulled the threads out like string out of a ball, and that was that. That's how it's done, but it involved literally tons of machinery, on a 3-phase electrical supply etc., and of course knowing how to use that stuff.

What I had tried was a small pilot hole and an "E Z out" reverse thread gimmick. That's not how it's done. Afterwards, everyone was kind enough to inform me that those always break, like mine did, and the piece that's left behind prevents any further attempts to use more productive approaches.

A little repair tip for removing broken screws.... buy a set of left-hand spiral drills. Run the drill in reverse. If the drill 'hangs'... the screw will be backed out rather than pushed further inside.

58mark wrote: I didn't know there was such a thing as left handed bits.

Be sure to use a left handed chuck in the drill.

And of course pull the drill trigger with your left index finger.

In terms of shearing off screws while tightening them....I finally have found an advantage to my small stature and lack of strength. I often cannot loosen things but have never, ever, broken anything while tightening it. (well, I did have some problems with wood for a while after my year in the machine shop....) I just had to re-tighten what I'm calling the Anti-Clank Screw on my 5th valve and am happy to tighten things once a month if needed, as opposed to cranking them down to the point of shearing them off.

I don't know how to do it, but this seems to to call for a clip from "The Princess Bride" where Wesley tells Buttercup, "Softly".