PENCIL ZINCS- PLUG

[maine50]

I have 3 zinc holders with stubs of zincs in them. Anybody know what I can use to dissolve the zinc stubs so I can use these holders.?

[Cat36Mahalo]

Drill them out. Use a reverse twist drill bit - most will spin out as you drill down, if not an extractor tapped into the hole will get it.

[RaymondR]

Hydrochloric or sulphuric acid will do it. Be mindful that the reaction produces hydrogen gas so you don't want to do it in an enclosed space. Also in their concentrated forms both of them are pretty nasty stuff and you don't want to get any of it on your skin or breathe any of the fumes. Sort of things one is better off not mucking about with if you're not familiar with handling it.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by Cat36Mahalo

Drill them out. Use a reverse twist drill bit - most will spin out as you drill down, if not an extractor tapped into the hole will get it.

+1 on drilling them out. With the correct bit size usually not much left. Usually use a dental pic to get the remains out.


Bill O.

[Lepke]

If you lube the new zinc threads with a anti seize compound, then it's easy to remove later. Enough of the threads make contact with the plug so the zinc works normally.