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Posted: 8/8/2026 1:29:59 PM EDT
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I saw a prior thread about this but its been archived. I tried replacing my propeller cap with the one from fotonika (https://www.fotonika.online/product-page/be-meyers-mawl-x1-propeller-cap ) and the screw provided snapped off with the slightest bit of torque. I've tried using a screw extractor kit (the kind you drill into in reverse and try to back out) with zero luck. I know this has happened to people before but any ideas on how to fix this? I'm thinking I need to bring it to a machine shop to see if they can remove it. Other than securing the propeller cap does this screw serve any other function internally? What controls the different functions when the cap is turned, the magnets in the cap?  Thanks |
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I've seen you other post on another forum and IMHO a machine shop is your best option. If you can't find a shop to do the work the other option is since you've already tried to use a reversing bit and from your pics it looks like your attempt was a bit off center you could correct it by using a good automatic center punch to move to divit towards the center, then use the correct size "colbalt" drill bit and the appropriate EZ out to remove the broken screw. Try to stay away from tool bought from Harbor Freight, Amazon etc since this is something you don't want to booger up. P.S. I'm not sure on your skill level and I don't want it to come off in the wrong way, but when drilling steel you want to use a low speed setting, let the drill bit do the work not pressure and use oil. |
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| Thanks man for the response. Yes It is centered I (from my eyes) but I could be wrong as its very small and my eyes arent like they were when I was 20 anymore. The micro extractor bit I was using was beginning to drill into the snapped bit but stopped a few mm in and wouldn't go any further. It's not deep enough for the extractor side to get a grip on anything. I think im going to bring it to a machine shop and let them work on it. |
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Originally Posted By scooteractual: Thanks man for the response. Yes It is centered I (from my eyes) but I could be wrong as its very small and my eyes arent like they were when I was 20 anymore. The micro extractor bit I was using was beginning to drill into the snapped bit but stopped a few mm in and wouldn't go any further. It's not deep enough for the extractor side to get a grip on anything. I think im going to bring it to a machine shop and let them work on it. Depending on the hardness of the metal you're drilling and if you used oil the extractor bit is more than likely dull. A Colbalt drill bit will be able to cut through hardened steel if done correctly. I'm sure you'll be able to find a reputable shop locally that can remove the broken bolt easily since they'll have all the fixtures and tools to do it. Cost should be @ 1 hr of shop time so I'm guessing @ 150-200? Report back when you get it done. |
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| brought into a machine shop yesterday and they drilled out the center of the screw and tried to back it out but it didnt budge. So theyre going to drill it out entirely and put a threaded helicoil insert in. Its super tiny (surgical tiny) as you know. Praying for a miracle lol |
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Originally Posted By scooteractual: brought into a machine shop yesterday and they drilled out the center of the screw and tried to back it out but it didnt budge. So theyre going to drill it out entirely and put a threaded helicoil insert in. Its super tiny (surgical tiny) as you know. Praying for a miracle lol A helicoil will be stronger vs aluminium threads, just be sure to "NOT" use locktite/thread locker on the propeller fastener/screw. |
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Thank you - Noted. Are you familiar with this gen Mawl? When I took off the cap I believe it has (2) washers. Where do those stack exactly ? I'm assuming one between the screw and the prop cap but where does the other one go? The Kit I bought from Fotonika includes (3) washers. The response from the guy selling them is scant. I just dont know where all 3 washers would go. |
| I have a Gen1 MAWL but I never removed the propeller cap before. I would assume that the washer stack would be the same as BE Meyers. If you Fotonika supplied a 3rd washer I would think that their fastener may be longer or their design of their propeller cap is thicker/different then BE Meyers and the 3rd washer goes in-between the propeller cap and housing? One way to tell would be to compare the 2 propellers and see if the Fotonika one is machined thicker/deeper requiring the extra washer or comparing the length/threads of the fasteners which is not possible since one is sheared off. Not having the washer stack in the right configuration may be the reason you sheared off the fastener since the propeller probably felt like it was not tightened down enough. |
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Originally Posted By stefbo: I had the same issue with a Gen 1 C+ MAWL (double digit serial number) and took it as a sign to send out back up BE Meyers to have them upgrade it to the current generation. I've seen their upgrade service for the Gen 1 Mawls. How much did it run you and what was the turn around time? |
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Originally Posted By hamb0ne: I am also interested in details on this. I didn’t know this was available. I reached out to them today, but was unable to speak to leave a message so I emailed them. I hope their upgrade service also fixes the parasitic drain of the battery also. I'll post back when they contact me. |
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Originally Posted By MunnyShot: I've seen their upgrade service for the Gen 1 Mawls. How much did it run you and what was the turn around time? Originally Posted By MunnyShot: Originally Posted By stefbo: I had the same issue with a Gen 1 C+ MAWL (double digit serial number) and took it as a sign to send out back up BE Meyers to have them upgrade it to the current generation. I've seen their upgrade service for the Gen 1 Mawls. How much did it run you and what was the turn around time? Turn around was less then a month. Upgrade was around $1500, so not cheap. With that you keep the center battery section, but both ends are replaced and it gets the new triple click programming. After I buggered up the screw on the propeller cap, it made sense and I am glad that I did so. If you do not want the updated battery cap portion and just want to upgrade the front end then it is cheaper, but I do not know by how much as I knew that I wanted the full update. https://www.bemeyers.com/mawl-modernization |
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Originally Posted By MunnyShot: I reached out to them today, but was unable to speak to leave a message so I emailed them. I hope their upgrade service also fixes the parasitic drain of the battery also. I'll post back when they contact me. Originally Posted By MunnyShot: Originally Posted By hamb0ne: I am also interested in details on this. I didn’t know this was available. I reached out to them today, but was unable to speak to leave a message so I emailed them. I hope their upgrade service also fixes the parasitic drain of the battery also. I'll post back when they contact me. It did for me. |
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Originally Posted By stefbo: Turn around was less then a month. Upgrade was around $1500, so not cheap. With that you keep the center battery section, but both ends are replaced and it gets the new triple click programming. After I buggered up the screw on the propeller cap, it made sense and I am glad that I did so. If you do not want the updated battery cap portion and just want to upgrade the front end then it is cheaper, but I do not know by how much as I knew that I wanted the full update. https://www.bemeyers.com/mawl-modernization Thanks for the reply, but for 1,500 it's a big no thank you BE Meyers, I'd rather buy 2 Holosun Iris 3 instead. |
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