Fuse broken off in box - Need innovative (hair-brained) idea

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 29 Sep 2001 7:04 am

A 15-amp round household fuse has broken off in my garage fuse box (the one that is needed to power my steel guitar equipment) and has become stuck big-time in the female metal receptable housing. I've got the main cut off and I haven't electrocuted myself (yet), but I cannot unscrew/extract the remaining portion of the fuse that broke off (which is needed to power my steel guitar equipment).

Of course, I put some WD-40 in there and beat on it real good to loosen it up, but it's kinda 'fused' in there or something. Short of replacing the entire panel, I need some creative suggestinons as to how to get that sucker (which is needed to power my steel guitar equipment) outta there. I hate to say this, but it's getting awfully close to being time to break out the Dremel Tool. Somebody please help me before this thing requires 'Dremel Intervention'.

OK boys - let 'er rip.

[This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 29 September 2001 at 08:05 AM.]

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 29 Sep 2001 7:24 am

Steve, if you have any JB Weld could carefully fill the fuse casing full of it
stick a washer or something you can get hold of and screw it out when the JB Weld sets up.
I have heard of using a potato to remove light bulbs that are broken off but I doubt if that would work for your fuse problem. In the meantime is it possible to power your steel from another circuit? Bet you ain't thought of that!
Jerry

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 29 Sep 2001 7:26 am

Steve, if it's similar to unscrewing the remains of a broken light bulb, I take a 1" diameter wood dowel and wrap masking tape around it, with the sticky side out. Insert and twist!
(p.s. missed you at our RI steel show...maybe you'll attend Frank Caruso's show Oct 28?)

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 29 Sep 2001 7:39 am

As long as you have the main power cut off, anything you can wedge in there to turn it should work.

After you get it replaced you should consider replacing the old fuse box with a circuit breaker box. Much better.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 29 Sep 2001 8:03 am

That's a great idea, Jerry. Never thought of that, and I DO have some JB Weld. Course, the way that stuff works - and as tough as that sucker is stuck in there - I'd be afraid that once it set up, I'd be more likely to unscrew the entire wall structure right off the garage slab than I would be to unscrew the fuse from the receptable.

I'll have to check the frige for potatoes (or potatos...).

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 29 Sep 2001 8:05 am

Steve, Check to see if the regular fuse has been replaced by a "Fusestat" Fusestats are all ceramic, with a smaller base than the regular fuse.
The adapter for the Fusestat screws into the fuse panel, but has locking spikes so that once inserted it is impossible to remove.
If you have a Fusestat adapter in there, once you cleaned out the broken ceramic, you should see threads on the inside.
Replacements are at hardware stores.
If you don't have the Fusestat, try the suggestions above.
My technique to remove a stuck metal base, is to use a pair of 6" needle nose electrical pliers and start bending the base metal in from the top until I can eiter get a grip and screw it out, or until I peel the base out bit by bit.
Good luck.
Blake

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 29 Sep 2001 8:05 am

Is it just me, or is there something in the air today?

Reference to my post above, not your's Blake - you snuck in there before me, and thanks for the tip.[This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 29 September 2001 at 09:08 AM.]

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 29 Sep 2001 9:12 am

This may sound crazy but it works with broken light bulbs. Take a potato and jam it in the broken light bulb or in your case broken fuse. You may have to shape the potato a bit to get good contact on the broken fuse. You then push and unscrew. It works on broken light bulbs! Use a small wire brush to clean the fuse socket and then spray a little silicone or WD-40 in the socket at it will help getting the
replacement fuse out when needed.

You can also try a pair of needle nose plyers and pull the handles outwrdly and twist counter clockwize.
Lenny [This message was edited by Len Amaral on 29 September 2001 at 10:16 AM.]

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 29 Sep 2001 10:08 am

Well, your darn computer's working fine, ain't it? Just unplug that thing and plug your steel guitar in there instead, and then... fuggetaboudit! It'll do wonders for your picking, I guarantee!

erik · Post by **erik** » 29 Sep 2001 10:36 am

Wasn't there a school science project where you run a clock off a potato? What could that mean?

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 29 Sep 2001 12:36 pm

Potatos, clocks, dowels, masking tape, epoxy, fuggetaboudit...all very good suggestions. I solved the problem by cutting a slot clean through the offending remnant - from front to back - and then chipping it away, piece by piece from the inside with a hammer and small chisel. I now have power back in the garage.

Just goes to show you: if it don't go, wear it down with a Dremel tool, and then beat it....[This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 29 September 2001 at 01:37 PM.]

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 29 Sep 2001 2:17 pm

Remember: Don't force it, ever! Just get a bigger hammer.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 29 Sep 2001 2:41 pm

Those "bigger hammers" work every time.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 29 Sep 2001 3:55 pm

DO NOT turn on the fuse box to power the Dremel Tool.

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 29 Sep 2001 5:50 pm

Congratulations Steve!
You got it out in spite of all the advice.

Happy steelin'
Blake

[This message was edited by Blake Hawkins on 29 September 2001 at 06:52 PM.][This message was edited by Blake Hawkins on 29 September 2001 at 06:53 PM.]

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 29 Sep 2001 9:24 pm

Hey Steve,

Try cutting a slot clean through the offending remnant - from front to back - and then chipping it away, piece by piece from the inside with a hammer and small chisel.

Sorry, It's late and I've had , let's see, one, two, twelve too may brewskies. Just funnin' wif ya.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 30 Sep 2001 12:46 am

The "John Wayne Rule":
If it doesn't work,force it. If it breaks,it needed fixin' anyway.

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Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 30 Sep 2001 7:01 am

Oh yeah, I almost forgot...Once you use the potato to unscrew the broken fuse or light bulb, DON"T EAT IT!

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 30 Sep 2001 7:23 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Hey Steve,
Try cutting a slot clean through the offending remnant - from front to back - and then chipping it away, piece by piece from the inside with a hammer and small chisel.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
DERN!!!!!
Wish I thought of that!
[This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 30 September 2001 at 08:27 AM.]

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 30 Sep 2001 9:19 pm

Where's your sense of adventure? Take the "Tim the Tool Man Taylor" approach and blow it out of there with an acetylene cutting torch. JUST KIDDING. Actually my method has always been to turn off the power and use a fairly large set of needle-nose pliers and a thin electrician's screwdriver to turn/pull/tear the corroded fuse base out of the socket. Never failed me yet.

Tim R.