Got a new replacement amp for my EP600, and once hooked up had same ground hum on the rest of the speakers. With my last amp I had to remove the ground screw (phillips) and the sound was dead quiet.

So it appears the new ground screw was somehow over tightened at the factory, because it is completely rounded out. I can't even tell what type of head is on it, but looking at a few of the other ones near, it is either hex or robertson now.

I've tried using various bits of larger size in hoping to grab onto something, no luck.

So my options are a cheater plug I guess, or get one of those reverse drill bits to try and grab onto it and get it out.

Thoughts?

What a PITA.

Can you get some small Vice Grips onto the head & at least loosen it? Sometimes it works...

TAM

Id use a backout bit to pull it out. that's a small screw; so, it shouldn't be an issue.

Hey Tam, tried that, the overall head is rounded so you can't grab onto it, I tried a few different tools I have. Dak, I will check out our local home improvement stores for a backout bit. I tried a number of various bits I have (square, torx, etc.) of larger sizes but just stripped it out even more, they must have used a torque wrench. I wonder if I soldered a small allen wrench to it and just turned it out.

just saw a few videos where you basically jbweld an allen wrench into the stripped out hole and once cured just turn the screw right out, will see.

Try a sharp punch of some kind, Randy(or a larger nail). Place the point towards the edge of the screw and tap it counter-clockwise to start it moving. Once it gets going, it should back out.

The reverse-out bits work very well. the secret is that you do often need to punch out a place to jam them in better for them to work best. They need a hole to grab into.

Do NOT punch out on this screw, it is way too small and in an amp plate. if the reverse bit doesn't grab, get a drill bit and take a LITTLE bit of material out of the center, keep in mind the size of screw your dealing with.....

using a punch is find on larger materials. However, i never use that approach, i always drill a little bit for the back out bit to have something to bite on to. Sears should have backout bits.

sounds good, thanks for the ideas, will try this weekend hopefully..

I am not sure what you have for tools, but at work I get this quite often. I use a small cutting wheel on a dremel and make a slot in the head of the screw and use a flat screw driver. My last option is drilling off the head with a good drill bit but this can still make it difficult to grab the remaining portion of the screw but at this point it is typically loose in the threads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMrDYJvY0Ts

yep, thanks Mike, have used those before in bigger applications...

The good news is I worked things out, thanks Ian! The placement of the "ground screw" sticker was closer to a different bolt which was the incorrect one. I had been trying to remove the wrong one.

I thought it was strange as the original amp that came with the ep600 was a phillips. Well, it turned out a bit further away is another phillips head screw which is actually the ground.

I will be testing tonight to see if the hum in the other speakers has vanished... thanks all

Sheesh! I didn't mean to go all Thor on it. LOL!

I have a micro-punch set (for lack of a better word) and a hobby hammer that I'm quite confident with. A drill will work fine as well if you are careful with the speed. Not disagreeing with you. Just pointing out that it's good to understand another person's option before you jump all over it.

Murph, i know what your saying.


However, i've seen guys do something similar to this with a punch (a real one); not realizing how delicate something of that size is. I didn't want him to use a hammer on the amp plate. When most people read that they would not think of a micro-punch set.


I didn't want him to cause any more damage.

And yes, your 100% it's all about perspective.

The PorterPlex is once again "dead" quiet with no speaker hum with no inputs playing. Now I have to calibrate this new amp for my 600.