How to remove a stripped screw? Stripped screws are one of those stubborn ones whose top-notch is completely damaged. A standard screwdriver won’t work to fix or remove the screw from the place inserted in this situation. Thus, it becomes difficult to drill out the screw as there is no way left to grip it.
It is better to have access to an emergency or a smart driver tool. It becomes a bit easier to remove a stripped screw if you find any. This is the solution if you are alert enough and have the tool kit available to you. But what if you are not having any such savior at your end? Then what? How will you help out yourself to remove a stripped screw?
Not to worry, in this blog, you will learn about different ideas and methods for removing stripped screws. All the steps and materials below are readily available to us or are easily available at any nearby shop. You will need tools and materials like; steel wool, pliers, rubber bands, drill bits, and abrasive powder.
Now let us see the different ideas and steps you can try for stripped screw removal.
Table of Contents
Steps and Ideas for How to Remove a Stripped Screw
1. Dremel Is Using a Good Option
Source: diycreators.com
This step is helpful if you have the proper tools and kits. Cut the head on the top of the stripped screw. Take the help of a flathead screwdriver, later insert it in the grip and later extract it firmly.
2. Use a Hammer to Tap the Screwdriver
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Place a regular screwdriver opposing the stripped screw. Next, take a hammer and slightly tap the grip of the Screwdriver. This will help you to deeper the Screwdriver into the stripped screw.
It is all you need. Now pull out the screw, and you are done.
3. Steel Wool or a Rubber Band
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Let us start exploring simple methods for removing stripped screws. Honestly, you need the right grip to extract the screw.
Insert the rubber band over around the screw and later slowly place the Screwdriver into the head of the screw notch. Now very slowly twist and firmly extract the stripped screw. If you are trying this step, the only key to success is to go slow. You will lose the grip, and the rubber band will get damaged.
Go slow, and you will quickly extract the stripped screw.
4. Extractor Kit can be a lot helpful
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Before that, we move on to how will this kit help us as a stripped screw remover, let me tell you what it is? A stripped screw extractor kit is a two-side-ended drilling bit. These are specially designed to remove stripped screws.
Insert one of the extractor kits in the stripped screw to create the depression. With the pointed end, drill out in the reverse direction. Once you get to have a firm grip on the screw, flip it slowly to get a sign of extraction. Now once again, drill the screw in the reverse direction to get out the stripped screw. This will for sure help you out to get the screw.
5. Try Drilling a New Notch
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Cutting a notch can be slightly destructive. You will have to cut the notch of the stripped screw with the rotary tool. You have to cut the screw deep inside until the end of the screw. When you are drilling it till the end of the screw, you are damaging the surrounding areas of the screw as well.
You can have a second option as well. Cut a single slot on the notch of the screw, which will help grip a flathead screwdriver to get the stripped screw out.
6. Melt a Nut of the Notch of the Screw
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Having an experience of melting can turn out to be helpful. If you have the necessary kit and tools available at your place, you can try this method. Now, this step won’t guarantee you the result, but you can give this a try. This happens to be the most reliable method which can help you out with how to remove a stripped screw.
What you need to do is spot and melt a nut on the top of the screw notch. Please wait for a few minutes to let it settle down properly. Later remove the screw with the help of a socket wrench.
7. Pliers Can Be Helpful
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If you feel you can catch a hold on the notch of the stripped screw with regular piler, then I will suggest you go with this option. This is one of the most reliable and easy ways for stripped screw removal.
Lock the piler on the head of the screw, and this will help you remove it quickly. Just make sure you catch hold of the outer rim of the screw. Half of your problem is solved if you get the right grip.
Now slowly, start turning the screw to unscrew it from the inserted point. Have a tight hold on the grip, removing a stripped screw will be more comfortable.
8. Use Left-Hand Drilling Bits
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Yes! Left-hand drills are available in the market. These are created and designed in such a way that you can use them in reserve. Take the drill that is a bit smaller than the notch of the screw. Insert the drill in the notch and tighten it nice to have a firm grip.
Keep the drill in the reverse position and apply a light yet firm pressure on the screw notch and start drilling it. If the bite is a real good one, there is a strong chance you will remove the stripped screw.
9. A Rotary Tool Is Beneficial
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If you cannot remove the stripped screw with any of the above options, you can try using this method. Safely install a cutting disk to the rotary tool. Now slowly start cutting a thin slit around the stripped screw.
Try to cut deep enough, so the Screwdriver has a proper grip to fit. Make a more significant cut if the slit is small. Create the exact amount, else the driver won’t get the right hold, and you won’t be able to twist the screw out.
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To Conclude
With this, we end the blog on How to Remove a Stripped Screw? Okay, before that we end this, I would like to advise you to be calm, patient, have a grip on the screw, and take all the steps slowly and with a proper grip.
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