Having finished work on the car, for a few weeks at least, I want to start giving my old 1940s Southbend Lathe a good strip down and rebuild.
Almost the very first problem are 4 large "cheese head" slotted screws. The slots in these measure 5/8" long by 3/32" wide - far larger than any screwdriver. And they seem to be TIGHT. Two are shown below:


A bit of searching around for something to undo these has lead me to a thing called a "drag link socket", which seems to be a large screwdriver bit for a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive socket:


I can only seem to find these in the USA though - does anyone know if you can get such a thing over here? I'm thinking they might be known by a different name or something. Or failing that, any other ideas?

I found this, but it's for a dzus type fastener, so it will have a slightly rounded tip. Looks like it would grind flat though.
TIPCO 3/4"' WIDE DZUS SOCKET 3/8"' DRIVE NEW OLD STOCK MADE FOR MOD

I bought one years ago from Snap-on, which makes sense with the American link

David

Tooled up seem to do them
http://www.tooled-up.com/product/elora-3-8-square-drive-3mm-plain-slot-screwdriver-socket/114042/?Referrer=googleproductlisting&gclid=CKCE9LDD3r8C FejpwgodxVsALA

Most impact drivers are 1/2"square drive and usually have a selection of bits in the set which might be a cheaper solution.

You may find something suitable in a impact driver set

I've got one, you're welcome to borrow.

If your miles away I can post if you cover the cost both ways......

Just looked in my impact box and I have one screw driver bit at 3/8" wide and one at 1/2". I would suggest that a 1/2" one would be plenty wide enough....

There's a tool like a Spring loaded punch that has a screwdriver on the "Punch" end.
Yo set the tool on the slot an hit with a Hammer.
The blow does three things.
Secure the blade in the slot, pushes the screw in a minute amount that may relief stiction and turn the screw.
It's been a long time since the last time I saw one and don't know how it's called.
Wish I could give more info.

quote:

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Originally posted by Angel Acevedo
There's a tool like a Spring loaded punch that has a screwdriver on the "Punch" end.
Yo set the tool on the slot an hit with a Hammer.
The blow does three things.
Secure the blade in the slot, pushes the screw in a minute amount that may relief stiction and turn the screw.
It's been a long time since the last time I saw one and don't know how it's called.
Wish I could give more info.

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Hammer and screwdriver hit it tangentially - good old pit engineering principles _-

- just like the south bend

Bit of 20mm steel bar and grind from both sides, then weld on a handle?

they sell cheap ones in the local motor factors up here with all the other specialist tools - maybe you could try your local places (assuming you'll be in for car bits at some point anyway...)


[Edited on 25/7/2014 by mcerd1]

Wow that's a lot of replies! Thanks for all the help!
I've already tried hammering it round, no luck. Also grinding up a tool, but I don't have anything tough enough and it just bends.

r1_pete, really appreciate the offer, but I think there are a few of these screws lurking in there, and chances are it's going to be a few months while I'm doing it, and I wouldn't want to borrow a tool over such a long period.

So I think an impact driver looks like the best bet, I'll see how I get on.