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Contents 1 Removing Broken Screws 2 Removing Screws with Stripped Heads 3 Battling Stubborn Screws

Trivia To Contemplate

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We're often in a rush to complete a project and "forget" to drill a pilot hole for the screw. Most screws can often be driven without a pilot hole into softwood but when they break you're left with a problem. Electric drills speed up the process of screwing wood screws, but tilt the drill a little to one side or have the drill speed set wrong and you may be facing a stripped head. Let's face it, we've all encountered these problems in the past and have had to deal with them.

[edit] Removing Broken Screws

If the screw breaks above the surface of the wood it can usually be extracted by gabbing the end firmly with a pair of vice grips or pliers and twisting it out of the hole. If the screw is being used for holding power and broke below the surface it may be worth leaving it in place, patching the hole, and fastening another screw near the broken one.

If you must remove the screw there are a couple of options. Broken screw extractors are available from most woodworking supply stores and some hardware stores. The most popular design is simply a small metal tube with teeth cut into the end. The extractor is inserted into the drill and a "core sample" is taken from the wood around the screw. A wood dowel is glued into place and a new screw can then be fastened into the repair. Another option is to dig around the screw until you can grab the end with a pair of needle nosed vice grips or pliers. The remaining scar can be drilled out and a matching plug can be used to repair the defect. Use a plug cutter to cut a matching plug from a piece of scrap wood to match the grain of the wood.

If you are trying to install a hinge and one of the screws breaks, you can probably epoxy the head into the hole. Most hinges will hold just fine with one screw missing. Don't try saving more time by drilling in a second screw next to the first. Often the second screw will twist in the hole or worse, press against the first and split the wood.

Tips to Avoid Breaking a Screw

1. Always drill a pilot hole in hardwood

2. When attaching a hinge with brass screws attach the hinge with steel screws first, then replace with brass.

3. Lubricate stubborn screws with wax or soap to reduce friction

[edit] Removing Screws with Stripped Heads

Using a drill to drive in a screw is often a great time saver, but care must be taken to keep from tilting the drill and stripping the head. If you do end up stripping a screw's head and can't back it out, try using a pair of vice grips to grab the head and twist it back out. If the head is below the surface of the wood, use the correct size screwdriver and a hammer to firmly set the screwdriver into the screw's head. Then, with significant downward pressure, back the screw out until you can grab it with a vice grip or pliers.

Tips to Avoid Stripping a Screw's Head

1. Correctly match the screwdriver to the screw.

2. Take care to avoid tipping a drill when driving the screws.

3. Maintain firm downward pressure to keep the head seated in the screw. Pre-drill pilot holes for the screw.

[edit] Battling Stubborn Screws

Have you ever snapped off or stripped the head of a screw while trying to force it into hardwood?

A little lubricant will make the job a lot easier.

Before screwing into hardwood you should always pre-drill a "pilot hole". A pilot hole should generally be about 1/2 the diameter of the screw in hard woods and 1/4 in softer woods. Sometimes even with a good pilot hole, a stubborn screw will refuse to go any further. To solve this simply rub a little moist soap or paraffin wax on the threads to act as a lubricant. This is especially useful with soft metal screws such as brass and aluminum.

Note: Do not use oil or grease as these products may leach out into and stain the wood.