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Thread ID: 133433 2013-06-03 12:18:00 how to remove stubborn screws Mirddes (10) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1344610 2013-06-05 09:57:00 I'd expect a small pair of vice grips and some patience would get them out. And I second the thought that you must be using the wrong screwdriver, a common mistake is to see a small phillips screw and assume it's the small size screwdriver when in fact it's a standard size one (no. 2 I think) that might look too big but fits perfectly. The smaller size is actually pretty uncommon and used on very small screws. Another common issue is people who can't tell the difference between phillips head and pozidrive screws, they tend to strip out each others screw heads because the angle is different.
:+1: to this



But if you have an irrevocably damaged screw head, the use of an alternate driver form-factor can give traction in areas where the original format can no longer get adequate grip.

Use of the wrong type is very likely to cause damage in the first instance, but when desperate to extract the screw, and you can't cut a cheese head slot,
then the next best thing is any shape or size that might offer grip. In particular, grinding a couple of millimetres off the tip of the bit will allow deeper penetration into the upper levels of the screw head. I have found this very successful indeed, and it doesn't affect the future use of the modified bit either.

Tapping the bit into the screw head with a tack hammer or other light implement of destruction is also a very helpful technique.

Cheers

Billy 8-{)
Billy T (70)
1344611 2013-07-22 02:16:00 pressf1.pcworld.co.nz Mirddes (10)
1344612 2013-07-22 04:24:00 Impact driver? SolMiester (139)
1344613 2013-07-22 06:46:00 +1 Billy T " Another common issue is people who can't tell the difference between phillips head and pozidrive screws, they tend to strip out each others screw heads because the angle is different." PPp (9511)
1344614 2013-07-22 07:33:00 Impact driver?

Have their uses but not always practical
gary67 (56)
1344615 2013-07-22 08:05:00 try sticking a rubber band between the head and the driver. or a tiny bit of superglue on the tip, let it sit, then turn. 8ftmetalhaed (14526)
1344616 2013-07-22 20:33:00 I have always managed to remove stripped screws with pliers and side cutters.
Side cutters to hold it, and pliers to turn.
pctek (84)
1344617 2013-07-23 06:42:00 Another thought, though this is probably a dead issue by now, I recently removed 'tighten only' hardened steel security screws by cutting a slot with a very thin carbide cutting wheel that came with a $50 Rotary tool from JAYCAR. I thought that the cutter would be about as effective as compressed toast and would vanish on contact, but it stood up to the task very well. It would easily cut a slot in even small recessed screw heads.

I was very impressed, though I can't say the same for the (included) wire brush wheel that I used to buff surface rust off an allen key. It buffed ok, but shed copious wire pieces in all directions during the process!

Cheers

Billy 8-{)
Billy T (70)
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