Tips & Tricks 101 How to remove a damaged screw.

[woody 73]

This is a very simple trick that should (key word) work if the screw is not 100% damaged as in you just made a round hole in the screw like a drill bit would.

I think it might be safe too say we have all been there before, you are working on a project and if the screw goes all the way in but the head gets chewed making any type of removal very difficult. If the screw were still sticking up some you would be better off using a vise grips, but in this example the head is flush with the wood making it a hard job.

So with that being said you will need a pair of scissors/ or knife, a wide rubber band and either your drill or screwdriver. Start by cutting the rubber band in half, place the strip over the damaged screw and use either your drill or screwdriver to remove the screw, be sure to press down with force over the rubber band mashing it into the damaged area and remove the screw slowly.

 

[bryan750]

good tip

 

[Brian_WK]

I have no Idea how that would work or who originally thought of it but next time I have this scenario i'm trying it!

Brian

 

[geartow]

Valve grinding compound on screw driver tip remove screw.

 

[woody 73]

Valve grinding compound on screw driver tip remove screw.

Good Tip!

But As that Family tv show guy yells " Survey Says"...Ask 100 people for a rubber band or a tin of Grinding compound 99 people can find a wide rubber band and one old fart will have the grinding compound; but I like your idea!

 

[rlitman]

A piece of paper can work too.
I've had the best luck using a fresh bit in an impact driver with pressure from the correct direction (perpendicular to the head).

The worst scenario is when the screw head is damaged like this, and the shank is also bent. It is important to keep the screwdriver perpendicular to the head, which is not necessarily parallel to the shaft of the screw.

 

[woody 73]

Paper interesting I will give that one a try, although my best luck comes from a rubber band.

 

[beamrider]

Valve grinding compound on screw driver tip remove screw.

Dab of toothpaste works well, also. Or a pinch of kitchen cleanser (Comet, etc) Basically anything abrasive. Can you tell I'm a cheap ***?

 

[gdocktor3]

Never tried these tricks, but I can tell you what hasn't worked for me - Speed Out screw/bolt extractors. Bought them one year as a cheapo Christmas gift to add to the rest of my fathers presents and boy do they ****. I tried them a few times, but never once worked. Granted they weren't on woodscrews, but still...

 

[DenisG]

Usually I cut a straight slot with a Dremel tool cutoff blade, then use a slotted screwdriver to remove screws like that. I'll have to give your method a try, though.

 

[K-Dog]

I knew that one years ago, but forgot about it.

Putting a dab of Valve Grinding Compound on the screwhead also makes a difference.

 

[Sine Swept]

I have a small Bahco jig saw that I use in place of a Dremel ^

http://www.bahco.com/en/p/junior-hacksaw/40-6c-3a-35-cd-c0-30-eb-1f-13-40-cf-ce-1c-de-2b/

 

[beamrider]

Never tried these tricks, but I can tell you what hasn't worked for me - Speed Out screw/bolt extractors. Bought them one year as a cheapo Christmas gift to add to the rest of my fathers presents and boy do they ****. I tried them a few times, but never once worked. Granted they weren't on woodscrews, but still...

I hated those damn things for years, until one day I ran the extractor in a hammerdrill, slowly feathering the trigger while leaning into it. Zipped it right out.

Granted, you're not always in a position to be able to do that space-wise.

 

[alpinewhite]

In another site/thread, someone mentioned JB Weld on an automotive bolt he couldn't remove.

 

[shieldcracker]

Nice tip cant wait to try it.

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