How do you unscrew a screw with a worn head?

Question

If a screw head (phillips in this case) is worn down so a screw driver cannot get purchase, any tips for unscrewing?

Answer 1

there where 2 great answers to this question that I agree with
if there is enough room to get a hacksaw or a dremel tool to cut a new groove into the screw head that is the easyway to remove the screw and also using the impact driver is great to loosen it up but if ya dont have one tapping the screw driver while turning the handle will work realy good
if all else fails then you will have to drill the screw and invest into buying the easy out just remeber to drill the screw perfectly straight when you do this so you dont widen the hole that it is in but I would cut the slot first it is the fastest and easiest way to do this good luck to ya just wanted to throw my 2 cents in

Answer 2

Hi fabian.If the phillips head is worn out,take a hacksaw and saw a slot in it that will accomodate a flat head screwdriver.Now you can either use a tool called an Impact screw driver(Used with a hammer and has a screw thread that automatically supplies a turning motion to the screw when the tool is hit with the hammer) or you could use a normal screwdriver and apply the turning motion manually while hitting the screwdriver.Remember to apply adequate downward pressure to the screw so as not to destroy your new slot.This procedure is called shock therapy in the machining industry.Hope this is helpfull and good luck to you.

Answer 3

The trade name is called an Easy Out. They are sold under many different names and styles depending on the type of screw, stud, bolt, etc that has to be removed and are available from hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace, Sears, K Mart, etc) and automotive supply stores.

One quick way that sometimes worked for me was to use a sharp pointed punch and at the far corner of the screw head
hit the punch in a clockwise motion and then do so in a counter clockwise movement. This should start the screw to start backing out and once enough of the head is above the material, use a pair of pliers for more bite to remove.

Answer 4

First soak it really good with some penetrating oil to help loosen the threads. Liquid wrench or Kryoil seem to work best. Second , make sure there isn't a bunch of crud in the bottom of the hole. Clean it out really good so you can get full conact with a wrench. If the hole isn't too worn out sometimes you can use the next sized meteric wrench. (or go to standard if you started with a meteric) Tap the wrench into the bolt with a hammer so you have a good snug fit before you try cranking on it. Go slow and keep even pressure on the wrench. making sure to keep your wrench square and level to the bolt head or you will just end up with a bigger stripped hole. If you have a Dremel tool. Use a cut-off wheel to make a slot across the head and turn the bolt out with a flat bladed screwdriver. You have to make a good straight and square cut with the tool or it won't do any good, and you're still at square one. You may have to cut into the surrounding material a small ways to get a decent slot in your bolt. Allen head bolts are usually rated harder than a Grade 8, so they are nearly impossible to drill out a stripped bolt without having a tool & die shop handy, with a bridgport and carbide drills. Drilling by hand just makes a real mess, because the bolts are always harder than the surrounding material and the drill bit will wander off course and eat into the sides of your threaded hole. Good luck, I know stripped allen heads can be a real B**ch to get out.

Answer 5

Use a rotary tool (dremel) with a cutting disk and cut a new groove in the head of the screw that will fit a flat tipped screwdriver.

Answer 6

If it's in metal, try tapping the screw driver as you apply pressure (twist). Sometimes that will break the hold and give the screw driver one last bite.

Answer 7

Hmmm, I think I would try maybe turning it with a pair or pliers. Dont you hate when that happens, lol. Darn cheap screws. Good luck sweetie:)

Answer 8

Drill a hole (w/a small drill bit on drill), into the screw head. do it again if needed with a bigger bit,and so on....until it comes out!

Answer 9

an "easy-out extractor or if there is room ; use a vicegrips and to hand crank it out, or drill it out almost completely then retap threads (carefully)

Answer 10

a (reverse) easy out screwbit