How to Get a Striped Philips Bolt Out

Removing a stripped Phillips-head screw isn't fun, but it can be done with the right tools.

Sometimes, when you're tightening down a screw with a drill, the screw tip can slip and skip across the surface of the screw, rounding out the inside of the screw head and making it almost impossible to remove. Fortunately, the key word there is "almost," as it is possible to remove a stripped Phillips bolt or screw. Be aware that stripping the bolt will destroy it in the process.

Things You'll Need

• Metal center punch
• Hammer
• Drill
• Metal drill bits
• Bolt extractor kit

Instructions

1. Place the punch in the center of the head of the bolt and strike the back of the punch with the hammer to score the surface.

2. Insert a small-diameter drill bit into the drill, making sure that it's smaller than the screw or bolt you want to remove. Drill straight down into the middle of the bolt or screw with the drill, trying to keep the bit centered. If it's a large bolt, drill up another size or two until you get to approximately half the diameter of the bolt or screw.

3. Install the bolt extractor into the drill. Keep the drill rotating to the right and slowly drill the extractor into the bolt until it catches and pulls the bolt or screw out.