How to Remove Mic Thread Adapter!

[Hugh Robjohns]

So I have a couple of not cheap AKG mic clips that have thread adapters jammed in quite far without the slot facing outwards... Is there any clever way of getting them out?! Thanks

I'd carefully glue a 3/8-inch bolt into the adapter, then remove and discard. The adapters are cheap enough to be considered disposable in a situation like this.

And make sure you use decent adapters and install with the slot outwards next time!

[siderealxxx]

If you can’t get it out, you could use one of these adapters to make it fit on a 5/8” thread stand.

I can do this but I'm actually selling the mics so need to present in good form!

If not, I'm assuming the clamp is plastic so heat would destroy it... you might need to fashion a spacer if the adapter is too deep inside the base.

It is buried deep and plastic clamp unfortunately.

I'd carefully glue a 3/8-inch bolt into the adapter, then remove and discard. The adapters are cheap enough to be considered disposable in a situation like this.

And make sure you use decent adapters and install with the slot outwards next time!

Can we at least pretend that someone else did it and not me?! Probably happened on location in a flurry of chaos.

I'm now down with this gluing on a bolt adapter idea! Need to find me some epoxy glue by the sounds of it.

Thanks!

[siderealxxx]

I can imagine this turning into a situation like when the old lady swallowed a fly but with a series of thread adapters getting bigger and bigger...

[tomas]

Maybe you have a pair of bent needle nose pliers? https://uk.farnell.com/bahco/l7892/pli ... irect=true I have a pair that I think would be slim enough to fit through a 3/8 hole to reach a slot of the thread adapter.

But glue + bolt seems to be a more sure way, and certainly less risk of ruining a very useful tool.

[siderealxxx]

Maybe you have a pair of bent needle nose pliers?

Well I've definitely learnt a lot more about pliers than I expected to today!

I don't have these but I imagine it could work... might be a bit fiddly.

I'll take it into a hardware store and see and if not pick up some epoxy and go nuclear on it.

Wish me luck people. Tense times.

[ManFromGlass]

There are drill bits with a reverse twist on them used for removing stripped screw heads. I’ve used them and they work.
The question is if they make them big enough to fit inside the adapter.

There is a product sold over here called Loc Tite. It’s like an epoxy glue made for screws and bolts. You could use the product on a bolt or mic stand you could afford to sacrifice, screw it in to the adapter, wait for it to dry, then unscrew the adapter. I have never tried this so . . . . . .

[Drew Stephenson]

Before going down the epoxy route it's worth trying a couple of dobs of superglue on the bolt you're planning on using. Sometimes that will be enough to move the insert and can the glue can be 'broken' quite easily afterwards.

[N i g e l]

There is a product sold over here called Loc Tite.

Loc Tite is quite complex & more than just super glue ! it covers several areospace grade products which are defined by a number.

I use loctite to stop my mic inserts from unscrewing. In this case I think its called a thread lock rather than superglue - the spec is that it wont come loose but it can be undone with a bit of force.

Im just going out to the garage to get the number, I might be some time..

-----------------------------

phew, that was bracing ......."Loctite 248 Adhesive, Threadlocking, Medium Strength, Blue, Stick"

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As to the solution to the problem, the super glueing a bolt to the insert and undoing it with a wrench sounds good. You can then use warm soapy water to recover the insert. I think. Probably best to do a trial run on some scrap first.

Its highly likely that the bolt cost more than the insert

[shufflebeat]

[siderealxxx]

I went to find the superglue but as is typical, it was old and dried up/dead.

Will find the strongest bond I can in the hardware store and fingers crossed.

Thanks for all taking this so seriously!

[Wonks]

Acetone is a much better/faster dissolver of superglue than soapy water.

[Sam Spoons]

If it's really stuck glue probably won't work, and you risk glueing the adapter even more firmly into the clamp base. The only way I can think of of removing the adapter without damaging the plastic base is by making a spacer from a piece if metal tube and using my bolt and locknut method. If you are really desperate I can probably make you a spacer that will, hopefully, get the job done (obviously no guarantee) let me know.

FWIW, Locktite is designed to prevent a thread vibrating loose but to break when you want to unscrew it so more or less the opposite of what you are trying to achieve here.

Otherwise Shuff's rawlplug idea is probably worth a try...

[Wonks]

But note the overall diameter of the expanding bolt will need to be a bit less than 3/8” to fit in the hole (I’d use calipers to measure). They are normally sold by the size of the bolt that screws into the expanding jacket, so look for the jacket diameter, not the screw size.

[ef37a]

I think every combination of extraction method has been aired here except seeing your friendly car mechanic and asking if he has a suitably sized stud extractor. The left hand thread will bugger the adaptor but as said, cheap as.

Just an observation. I have handled mic accessories on and off for 60 years and we were always careful to fit the adaptors 'slot out'. It has only been in the last couple of years or so that I have noticed with some cheap mics the adaptors now have a slot cut both ends. WTF weren't they ALWAYS like that?

Dave.

[S2]

What about a Dremel type affair to cut a new (crude) slot on the top/inside of the thread so you can use a (large) screwdriver to undo it. Don’t use WD40, it’s of limited use as a penetrating oil - Plus gas is far better.

[ef37a]

What about a Dremel type affair to cut a new (crude) slot on the top/inside of the thread so you can use a (large) screwdriver to undo it. Don’t use WD40, it’s of limited use as a penetrating oil - Plus gas is far better.

I am fairly sure OP said the mic holder was plastic? In that case he has to be careful what kind of solvent he uses. I have never found WD-40 to attack anything.

Dave.

[Wonks]

WD-40 attacks silicone bath sealant!

[ef37a]

WD-40 attacks silicone bath sealant!

HOW would one EVER find that out?! Good job too, tricky stuff to clean off.

Dave.

[Mike Stranks]

I have a few of these... inherited from eBay buys...

I just use a 5/8-3/8 adapter if one is needed.

[ManFromGlass]

Mike, I’m not sure we are looking for a simple and elegant solution here . . .

(Whether the idea works or not this is one of the reasons I love these forums, somebody always has the right idea!)

[siderealxxx]

Breaking news people! It's out, I repeat it's out!

In the end it was simpler than I anticipated, but I think the WD40 (whilst maybe not the right thing) had helped overnight.

I basically jammed a large wide flat headed screwdriver in there as firmly as possible and applied pressure inwards whilst turning. Took a bit of oomph but it came out in the end.

Some pretty creative suggestions here though! Some easier than others.

I hear-by declare today a national holiday in celebration

[ManFromGlass]

The Force was with you!

[ef37a]

Breaking news people! It's out, I repeat it's out!

In the end it was simpler than I anticipated, but I think the WD40 (whilst maybe not the right thing) had helped overnight.

I basically jammed a large wide flat headed screwdriver in there as firmly as possible and applied pressure inwards whilst turning. Took a bit of oomph but it came out in the end.

Some pretty creative suggestions here though! Some easier than others.

I hear-by declare today a national holiday in celebration

Great! Now, put two blades in a 12" hacksaw and cut a slot in the other end of that adaptor!

Another thing I have noticed with the cheap mic adaptors is that many are now Aluminium. I dare say the subjectivist beardy tweaks will say Brass gives a 'denser' tone but I can live with that!

Dave.

[siderealxxx]

Great! Now, put two blades in a 12" hacksaw and cut a slot in the other end of that adaptor!

Dave.

I've gone one step further and thrown away all the ones with one slot and only kept the ones with 2 slots. Never again!