How do you unscrew a screw that is totally stripped?

Answer 1

I had the same problem. Here's what some guy (Tom-SJ) told me & it worked!
Apply some Liquid Wrench to help break the rust which is probably locking the screw into the threads.

Then get a screw extractor (aka Easy Out) for the screw size - chances are it is a 6-32 screw used in the faucet. Then use a 3/32" drill bit to make a hole into the top of the screw - right thru the Philips head cross into the body of the screw -- about 1/4" deep.

Then tap the screw extractor into the drilled hole and using an SE handle, small open-ended wrench, pliers or small Crescent wrench, turn the extractor counterclockwise.

The screw extractor will drive itself into the screw while you are extracting the screw in the CCW direction.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

There are two methods of screw extraction when the screw heads are hopelessly damaged. The first is to just use an electric drill to remove the head of the screw. Drill directly through the center of the head with a drill bit maybe a third the size of the head, about 1/8" deep. Use progressively larger bits until the head of the screw comes off. Then, remove the maintenance panel. There should be more than enough screw shank (the "body" of the screw) remaining to grip with a pair of pliers... preferable self locking pliers such as Vicegrips. Hold tight and carefully turn the screw out.

If course, if the panel you are removing is very thin, there might not be enough screw shank to grip... so you can use a screw extractor instead. A screw extractor looks something like a blunt-ended screw with very broad threads. These hardened cutting threads are in the opposite direction of a standard right-hand threaded screw. When you turn the extractor, it tightens into the hole giving it a firm grip. To get a correctly sized screw extractor, take one of the screws you successfully removed to the hardware store. The salesman should be able to give you the correct size extractor and the right size drill bit for this job! The hole size is important... it should be no more than about 75% of the diameter of the screw shank. If you attempt to use too large an extractor by drilling too large a hole you may overly weaken the screw shank and the head might just break off! Back to step one!

To remove the screw, drill into the damaged screw head about 1/8-1/4 inch deep. Push the extractor into the hole and rotate it counterclockwise with pliers or a Visegrips to remove the screw.

There is another possible way to get the screw out that is a little less laborious but has a lower success rate, especially if the screw is really jammed into place. Instead of trying to remove the screw with a Phillips screwdriver, try using a squaredrive bit instead. Squaredrive bits are designed to be used with a special type of screw that is used in both construction and cabinetmaking. The head of the screw has a deep square moulded into it. This design gives tremendous gripping power to the bit and is more difficult to strip.

Anyway, sometimes it is possible to tap a squaredrive bit into a damaged Phillips screwhead and get enough grip to extract it! If you don't have a screwdriver with replaceable tips (everyone should have one), you can get one at the hardware store... plus an assortment of square drive bits to go with it!

Answer 3

If you have a dremmel you can make a slice in the top and use a regular screw driver to take it out or you can drill the screw out or if it has alittle bit of something to grab you could try grabing it with the plyers and take it out that way. I bet it is a philp screw too , huh.? I hate those kind of screws. They always end up being a pain to take out.

Answer 4

pliers might work. i've gotten a few screws out that way. honestly i'm not sure, its happened to me a lot, but the pliers have always worked. other than that, you're screwed...hahah. sorry.
good luck

Answer 5

If it is totally stripped... just pull it out!

Answer 6

put pair of vice grips on end lock it securely and work it to left and right while pulling out