what gets lock-tite out of screw holes ????????

[moose]

i was mounting new scope base on my T/C contender, took old site off(no problem), full of lock-tie left in holes.....what will get the lock-tite out of the bottom of screw hole and threads???/

[Robert]

Use a screwdriver that is smaller than the threads, scrape out what you can from the bottom of the hole, then insert the screw with-out the base so that it goes deeper in the threads.  When you feel it bottom-out, remove it and scrape the bottom out again,  The screw should push the excess down each time you do it.  It might take a few times to get it all.  Just do not over tighten. You can also use the correct tap to chase the threads, but a normal tap will need the tip ground flat.

[savageT]

moose,
Try acetone or carburator cleaner, but watch the bluing.  The other possibility is to use a tap of the proper size to clean them out...which you probably won't have??? It's a National Fine thread that any gunsmith would have.  Measure the screw diameter and count the threads/inch.

Jim

[Chuck White]

A small pick or awl should work pretty well! Works for me!

[gunnut69]

Acetone will remove the threadlocking compound.  Carb cleaner is usually just acetone with toluene and or mineral spirits added(to keep working a bit longer than the fast evaporating acetone).  None of these will hard the blue, although all will TOTALLY remove any protective coating and allow rust immediate access.  So after cleaning immediately re-oil or what ever you use to protect the metal from rust.  I keep a spray can of carb cleaner for such things as well as hosing out triggers full of 3-in-1 oil...  WARNING!!!!  use all these solvents outdoors, especially acetone which is very explosive and highly volotile..  The little plastic nozzle on the carb cleaner is idedal for cleaning out these holes, especially the blind holes.  Just insert the nozzle in the hole and blast away.  BE CERTAIN to keep the hole pointed such that the back blast can't hit you, ANYWHERE!!  Also I'd avoid the expensive brands of carb cleaner as they sometimes add waxes and other compounds to provide corrosion protection for the newly cleaner metal.  If you can't get outside a drop of acetone on a Q-tip, twirled in the hole will usually loosen and remove any locking compound.

PS-the Q-tips should have wooden or rolled paper sticks, the plastic sticks will dissolve in acetone!