How to Remove a Screw with No Head

When you decide to do some handyman DIY job that requires the use of a screw, you will encounter a stripped screw that needs to be removed. Usually, this is a screw that the head part has been damaged, and it bored out. You will have a problem removing it with your screwdriver or drilling it because it will be challenging to get an excellent grip on it.

Stripped screws occur when you work too fast using a wrong screw bit, when screwing or when you insert a screw bit into a screw head position that is at a weird angle. Sometimes, it may happen when you try to unscrew a rusty screw using excessive force or when removing a pesky threaded screw that is difficult to get out. When you encounter such problems, do not fear, there is indeed a solution to this kind of dilemma. Here are six techniques to help you remove the stripped screw. According to Trade Skills 4 U, each concept will work differently on a particular stripped screw. Kindly pick a suitable one that works for you.

1. Use an Impact Driver

Suppose you have this manual tool known as an Impact driver. It is excellent to help you solve the problem you encounter with a threaded screw. However, ensure that your Impact driver is made of quality material. Please select the correct screwdriver bit, such as flathead or Phillips and then insert it and fasten it.

Next, remove any dirt available on the screw head to confirm if the bit heads to the right direction to avoid tightening it up further. For your safety, please put on your safety glasses before you begin to place the impact driver bit tightly into the broken screw head. Begin to strike the handle end of your impact driver numerous times using a hammer. After doing that, the bit will fit firmly into the screw head, and the impact head will begin to rotate and in the process, loosen the screw. You will now be able to complete removing the screw with a screwdriver or a drill.

2. Using a Pliers or Vice-Grips

When you encounter a stripped screw that is not buried fully in the surface that you want to work on, using a plier or Vice-grip can be an excellent idea for such a scenario. Use either of these tools to clamp down on the stripped screw head and begin to turn it. Please ensure that you take at most care to avoid damaging the surrounding surface where the screw is placed. This is because the jaw of your working tool might scrape the surrounding surface.

3. Use a Screw Extractor

A Screw Extractor is a perfect tool when facing a stubborn screw that has refused to come out using other means. A Screw Extractor is counter-threaded on the way screws are threaded. You will find them in shops of different sizes. Therefore, ensure that you pick the right size for the job that fits the stripped screw. Begin by loading the extractor into your drill check, and then tighten the chuck to keep the extractor firmly. Please ensure that the drill is set in the reverse direction since the extractor itself is in a reverse thread. When you begin drilling in the reverse direction, the extractor bit will also drill the stripped screw as it bites the screw head. As you continue hitting in the reverse order, the extractor will begin to turn the screw in reverse and back it out.

4. Use of a Manual Screwdriver

Please try this Manual Screwdriver method when you encounter a screw head that keeps making your screwdriver bit slip. Find a hammer and begin by tapping it to drive the screwdriver down as you lodge it firmly into the annoying screw head. This will help you get an extra grip you require to twist your fastener, especially if it was created using soft metal. If this option doesn’t work, get a rubber band or duct tape and place the adhesive side counter to the screw head.

Use either of the two to cover the screw to develop a better grip, and then press the material on the hole using your screwdriver. Supposing you are using Philip’s head, the option to try is the use of a flat-headed screwdriver. Find one that is narrow to fit correctly within the Phillips head hole. You can pull it off quickly when performing it using the rubber band or duct tape method mentioned above.

5. Using Liquid Friction

Technology keeps changing and improving each passing day, and specialty products are designed to ensure that stripped screw removal becomes easy. You can find Screw Grab and DriveGrip or ask for any other similar products that serve the same purpose in your area. Use this liquid friction to apply to the stripped screw, and it will increase the friction between the screw and the screwdriver. It works similarly to a rubber band and works best with stripped screws that have not gone deep into the surface.

6. Using a Rotary Tool

A Rotary tool is a secure option to try when all the above methods have failed. According to House tipster, you can begin by attaching a tinny cutting disk on the rotary tool to secure it, then form a thin slot on the screw by cutting it. Ensure that the slit you created is deep enough to fit a flathead screwdriver. It should also be thin enough to enable the screwdriver to get enough grips.

Supposing your screwdriver does not fit on the slit, please continue to make the cut larger, but make minor cuts not to affect the slit because if you cut off too much of the screw, the screwdriver will not be able to catch and cause the screw to twist. Please note that the rotary tool, when in use, can scatter loose metal shavings around the surface. Therefore, kindly ensure that you put on your safety glasses.

You can also read:

• What are Galvanized Screws and What are They Used For?
• What is a Truss Screw and What is it Used For?
• How Do You Use Screws With Plastic?
• 20 Types of Screw Heads and What They’re For
• What to do if Your Bathroom Drain Won’t Unscrew