Can anyone offer a suggestion on how to remove a stripped and broken screw(s)?. I have 2, 4″ screws stuck and connecting two pieces I have been working on for short periods over several months. In trying to remove the screw to continue shaping of my piece, the head broke and now spins freely. I predrilled and used screws from Lowes and all have broken or stripped. They were in the piece for several weeks, knowing that they were temporary until a final glue up. I have since bought screws from Mcfeelys in hope that the quality is better. I would like to remove these without damaging my fine woodworking.
Frustrated!! (Kevin)
Replies
I file teeth in a roll pin, then drill on top of the screw.
He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
File teeth in a roll pin? I'm not sure I understand...
Like a very small hole saw.
If you file teeth on a roll pin, it becomes a holesaw. Place it over the broken screw and drill around it. You will have a hole to patch, but it won'T be very large.
P.S. Sorry the picture is not very good. Hope this helps.
Edited 5/1/2008 9:45 pm by Boogalee
What type of screw? Did you drill pilot and clearance holes or are the entire lengths of the screw's threads engaged in the wood? Did the wood have a higher moisture content when you put the screws in and has it dried out since? What type of wood?
John White
Phillips head #10 x 4". I drilled a 5/32 pilot hole the full depth. The wood is cherry and dry. Its acclimated in my shop for several months before working; though humidity levels are rising in my area. I have a but from sears that is for stripped heads, but the head is now disconnected and spins freely, but still wont come out. Thanks.
You can try a dab of hot melt glue or superglue on the end of your screwdriver. The heads often break off on the smooth part of the shaft. Sometimes just turning it upside down or using a magnet may get the head out enough to grab or slip a feeler gauge under it. The person that uses a roll pin just makes his own screw extractor, like Sears. A roll pin is like a small steel tube. Sounds like you are using hardened construction screws. Next time use mild steel wood screws and don't get them too tight. You have to use the correct size driver tip or the head slot will strip out.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
In the future I would suggest using Kreg self tapping pocket hole screws for temporary attachments. I used to use, now Chinese, drywall screws which are junk.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
If the screw head is below the surface you may need to enlarge the hole so the head will easily come out , try a magnet or try to get under the head .
dusty
You can get the "file teeth on a roll pin" tools commercially, too: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=983
I find them to be the most reliable way to remove a broken screw, but they do leave a pretty big hole that has to be filled, which may or may not be acceptable in your situation. Make sure that the one you use has a large enough ID to completely clear the body and threads of the screw, or else you may find yourself with a use-once-and-throw-away tool.
-Steve
...or else you may find yourself with a use-once-and-throw-away tool.
HA! I've got a whole box of those!
I think you forgot the "throw them away" part.
-Steve
Yeah, but hardware is hard to part with -- you never know when you'll need one of those.
this doesn't help for this time, but put wax on the screws next time, that cuts down on a lot of friction which makes the screws easier to come out, regardless if they are from china. We have all been there good luck. I hve seem the roll pins but luckily every time i break a screw I can still get a hold of it with vise grips
What!? you can throw away tools? Really?? Isn't this the 11 sin? Or against the law or something!??
Doug
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