The
Bosun’s Mate
27
To Remove a Plug – without damaging the fitting.
First, drill a pilot hole through its centre for a screw of about 10-12 gauge. Drive the screw straight into
the pilot hole, continuing to turn it once it has bottomed out on the bolt head beneath. If the plug was
not set with glue, this action should result in the bond breaking and the whole plug being neatly removed
from the hole without damage to the hole’s edges.
If this method is not successful you will need to drill the entire plug. A centre bit or spade hat of the same
diameter as the plug, and use with the leading point ground down short, will probably be found to be the
best tool to use. Care must be taken to see that it is truly centred if the entire plug is to be removed while
the hole’s edges remain undamaged.
If damage occurs nevertheless, drill a new hole for a plug the next size up, cut such a plug to suit (using a
“plug-cutting tool” desi v