How to Remove a Screw With a Worn Head

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Things You'll Need

  • Power drill

  • Pliers

  • Wrench

  • Hammer

  • Screw extractor

Removing a screw can be easy, if the head isn't worn.

Removing a screw is an easy task, if it's intact. But a stripped screw, one with a worn head, makes the job frustrating and time-consuming. You can't insert a screwdriver into a worn head to remove the screw, so you must use a different tactic. Two good options are removing the screw's head or using a screw extractor.

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Removing the Screw's Head

Step 1

Drill through the center of the screw's head using a drill bit that's a third its size. Drill to about 1/8 inch deep. The screw's head should come right off.

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Step 2

Drill through the center using progressively larger bits, if the original bit doesn't work.

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Step 3

Remove the item held in place by the screw. Grip the screw's shank with pliers and remove it by turning the pliers counterclockwise.

Screw Extractor

Step 1

Drill into the screw's head until you've reached 1/8 to 1/4 inch depth. Ensure your screw extractor, a device that has cutting threads running opposite a screw, has a diameter smaller than the screw's shank.

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Step 2

Tap the screw extractor into the screw using a hammer. Grip the top of the screw extractor with pliers or a wrench.

Step 3

Rotate the pliers or wrench counterclockwise to remove the screw.

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