Herters head salvage?

K

Kenmorris

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I have several plastic Herters heads that have the old rusty bolts stuck in them. Any ideas on how to remove the old stubs without damaging them? I have limited tools. Any help will be appreciated
 
Soak the bolt ends with oil for 30 minutes or so. With hack saw blade, ring the plastic screw shaft, one third inch, from end. Only ring the plastic, don't saw the screw. Use pliers on end of screw shaft, twist out . Good luck. Bob.
 
Ken, I cut off the stem, drill out the base with a stepped drill bit. Leave a lip of the bottom. Fill the head with foam, then excavate about an inch of the foam and fill to the base with thickened epoxy. Once cured, grind flat and pilot drill for an eye screw. The step is weak on the old Herter's, especially with age.
 
I cut the bolt flush then drill out the bolt and use an easy out.
The same process as any other snapped bolt .
The only difference is I drill and cool the bolt more often then I would when the bolt is in metal verses plastic.

I have also had success using left twist drill bits and the drill in reverse
 
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Dave Diefenderfer said:
Ken, I cut off the stem, drill out the base with a stepped drill bit. Leave a lip of the bottom. Fill the head with foam, then excavate about an inch of the foam and fill to the base with thickened epoxy. Once cured, grind flat and pilot drill for an eye screw. The step is weak on the old Herter's, especially with age.
Click to expand...

For the foam, would Great Stuff or similar be appropriate or are you using something denser?

Thanks
 
Ken, the cheap spray foam from HD or Lowes works fine, it just is used as a backer for the epoxy. I have used it, but also use the foam I use to make bodies.... I will collect a bunch or have them prepped on hand so when I start a can, or mix a batch I have places to use up the extra.
 
Dave Diefenderfer said:
Ken, I cut off the stem, drill out the base with a stepped drill bit. Leave a lip of the bottom. Fill the head with foam, then excavate about an inch of the foam and fill to the base with thickened epoxy. Once cured, grind flat and pilot drill for an eye screw. The step is weak on the old Herter's, especially with age.
Click to expand...

Good information. I have some broken goose floater heads. I was able to buy 6 dozen goose heads that with Herters shells. They are the heads with a fiberglass rod glued in them to stake the shells to the ground. I was going to try to get the rods out of the heads and I noticed a number of them are already cracked around the base of the stem. Thanks for the information.
 
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