Removing Robertson Deck Screw

[LEVE]

Today I had to remove a section of man-made decking. The decking was installed using #2 Robertson screws (they have square holes). The installer drove the screws below deck level. I didn't think to use my impact drill. On removal, three of the screws cammed out, or the square hole rounded out. These screws are made from some pretty mild steel.

The bit was useless to remove them. Now how do I remove these three screws? I had one new #2 bit left.

• I used that bit and drove it into he head of the screw with a hammer.
• I was surprised when it bit in and stayed in the head
• I affixed a 1/4" shank to my drill and
• used it to drive out the screw.
• Repeated the process for the other two screws.

Now it's off to my local hardware store (25 miles away) to pick up a few more colored deck screws and reinstall them with the new bits I'll pick up.

I'm feeling I was just lucky. Does anyone have a better way to remove these cammed screws?

 

[#1SomeGuy]

Things like these:

 

[mds5951]

How about using a Robertson drive bit? I've had bad luck on the few occasions dealing with those screws using a standard square drive.

 

[signcrafter]

I've got to say that I've used a lot of square drive squares and can't remember any ever stripping out. You sure you were using the right size square drive for the screw? I've found some that the square hole was partially "clogged" so the bit wouldn't go in right, think the coating they use got to much in there or something.

 

[mds5951]

Disregard my last post if you were asking how to remove the ones that were already messed up.... If the heads were already messed up I would probably drill off the heads, pop the whole board off, the go to town with a pair of vice grips and back the remains out.

 

[Lightfoot]

Disregard my last post if you were asking how to remove the ones that were already messed up.... If the heads were already messed up I would probably drill off the heads, pop the whole board off, the go to town with a pair of vice grips and back the remains out.

^
this

 

[SlappyWhite]

Drill them.

 

[ilovevocs]

Disregard my last post if you were asking how to remove the ones that were already messed up.... If the heads were already messed up I would probably drill off the heads, pop the whole board off, the go to town with a pair of vice grips and back the remains out.

This would be my approach as well.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I've recently thought about this problem...Phillips or Square same problem..but looking at my deck which is Stained PT...deck is in great shape but I'm sick & tired of painting...one of these days I'll pull all the PT off an install composite. Problem being all the screw heads are full of stain from the 3 or so coats we've done.
I think when the time comes one of these will be my friend:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003HDCAUU/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005I5DCL6&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0KT7VQRDAYH3P8XGSEBG

 

[trbomax]

drill as much of the head off as you can with a 3/16" drill,preferably a left twist.This will let you pry the wood off,then flush the screws off with a metabo.Ive done it this way many times,you cant always save the wood but you can get it apart.

 

[Automatic Slim]

x2 for the grabit. have done many. & if the head breaks off w/ the gb, should be able pry board up w/ some effort. alot easier if you can get the majority of screws out though.

 

[rlitman]

I've got to say that I've used a lot of square drive squares and can't remember any ever stripping out.

I've stripped a lot of Robertson screws. Always stainless. The metal is just soft and mushy. I won't buy stainless screws anymore unless they're torx.

 

[LEVE]

Yes, these screws are #2 Robertson Composition Deck Screws.

Well, I went to HD and purchased a set of Grabits; I won't be caught short again... till it wears out.

I found the #1 and #2 Robertson composition deck screws were replaced with 17 point torx type screws.

Now the rear deck has #2 screws and Torx screws while the front deck has #1 deck screws. I guess I'll be replacing all of them as needed with the Torx screws.