Almost everyone encountered a stuck screw during repair work. There are many reasons for this. For example, it can be a defective fastener, damage to the splines because of the inexperience of the performer, or the deterioration of a tool that does not provide tight contact with the part being twisted. Sometimes it is no longer possible to remove the jammed fasteners, they are stuck so tightly, but the task is quite solvable.
1. Tool change
If the screwdriver pops out of the slot all the time, a worn tip may be the cause. In this, you need to replace the tool. Insert a new screwdriver into the head of the screw, making sure that the lace is firmly pressed against the groove and try to unscrew the fasteners. If the fasteners do not unscrew, the first step is to stop. Attempts to continue loosening can aggravate the situation, and a constantly popping screwdriver can damage the material. Assess the condition of the screw and try other extraction methods.
2. Pliers
If the jammed screw or self-tapping screw is not fully tightened and the top protrudes above the surface of the part to be fastened, you can try to pull it out with pliers. Gently grasp the screw with pliers on the sides. Then unscrew it slowly by turning it counterclockwise.
3. Drill
A screw that is not completely embedded in the material can be pulled out with an electric drill or screwdriver. The tool holder is opened, put on the screw head, and the clamping mechanism is tightened, fixing the head in the holder. Then set the reverse mode and carefully turn the screw out of the material. This works with almost any type of threaded element or jammed bolt, as long as there is a part of the head that the chuck can snag on.
4. Supporting material
If the fastener is completely recessed, you can try to improve the grip of the cap and screwdriver using some material. It can be a piece of the abrasive layer of a regular kitchen sponge or scotch tape glued to a defective hat. But the best is to use a strip of rubber or leather. It can be of any width, although a piece of a size that will completely cover the screw head is desirable. This will provide a large contact area between the head and the tip of the screwdriver or screwdriver bit. A piece of rubber is applied to the head of the fastener, a screwdriver is applied, and they try to unscrew the stuck part.
5. Use The Extractor
If the previous methods did not work, you can use an extractor. It has the form of a metal rod with a screw thread and is designed specifically for removing stuck bolts and screws. Before using the tool drill, a vertical hole in the screw with a thin drill. insert the screw end of the extractor there and turn slowly at first until it is firmly fixed. Then remove the screw.
6. Heat The Problematic Screw
If you can heat a problem screw without harming the object it is screwed into, this will help loosen the grip of the thread. Heat the screw with a hot air gun or gas burner, moving the fixture constantly to avoid overheating. As soon as the screw gets so hot that a drop of water that falls on it will immediately hiss, leave it to cool, and then try to unscrew it again.
7. Use A Hacksaw
Use a hacksaw to cut a slot in the screw head for a flathead screwdriver. If you still cannot move the screw from its place, cut a groove in its head. Then insert a flathead screwdriver into the slot and try to remove the screw.
8. Use Epoxy Glue
Find a nut that fits snugly over the screw head. Glue the nut to the head with epoxy metal glue, often referred to as” cold welding”. Wait for the glue to harden, then place a wrench over the nut and twist. Reamer the screw head completely. Drilling a hole in a screw often allows you to relieve the pressure on its rod and unscrew it, but if you cannot do this, then for further actions you have practically no choice. Take a drill with a diameter slightly larger than the screw shank.
9. Drill Out The Screw Completely
When all the above methods did not work, there remains a cardinal method for removing stuck fasteners. Drill through the screw to the bottom. Then insert new larger diameter fasteners into the hole. Practical tip: When removing a stuck fastener, observe safety precautions. The drilling process produces metal chips that scatter to the sides, and if they get into the eyes, it could cause injury.
10. Hire A Professional
If all your efforts were failed, hire a worker who can remove the screw using an EDM machine. This is often the only way out if the extractor breaks off in the screw head.