Self-tapping screw does not unscrew what to do. Ways to unscrew a small screw with a stripped head - a drill, nails, drank a slot

Landscaping and planning 17.06.2019

Landscaping and planning

Self-tapping screw in the castle iron door and sits deep, nothing to pick up.

If the slot is torn off and you can’t unscrew it with a screwdriver at all, then only a drill and a drill will help you. You will have to choose a drill according to the diameter of the hole. This can be done by unscrewing another screw. And in order for the drilling process to go perfectly, the drill must be moistened in an emulsion of water and soap. Since the screws are hardened and very strong.

You need to use hard drive magnet or neodymium magnet which can be purchased. The magnet from the hard drive is also neodymium by the way and has great strength, despite its small size. If with the help of a metal object to which it is attached Neodymium magnet , for example a nail, dock it to your self-tapping screw, then it will be possible to pull it out if the self-tapping screw is not twisted along the thread.

It was initially screwed into the door, but now it cannot be pulled out, since it was screwed along the thread.

If it really scrolls freely, then with the help of a strong magnet, you can simply pull it out. If there is no magnet, or there is nowhere to get it, and the self-tapping screw is easily twisted, then you can glue a 40-50 mm carnation with a cap to the self-tapping screw to the self-tapping screw with epoxy, and then, after a day, unscrew it carefully.

The fact is that it is thoroughly twisted, the self-tapping screw sits tightly, does not spin at all. I tried to unscrew it myself and the thread was worn out.

If you really try to stick something to it, and then unscrew it. Thanks for the advice.

Then it remains only to drill with a thinner drill exactly in the center of the self-tapping screw, and then remove the scraps of the old self-tapping screw and tighten the new one as needed. If the self-tapping screw does not scroll, then the epoxy will not help.

Clearly, I will have to call the master, it’s difficult for me not to do it, but thanks again for the competent explanation in my situation, otherwise I don’t know what to do. And I still can't really explain. It's bad when there is no help, I live alone.

Then you need to find a person nearby with hands growing from where it is necessary and ask him to do such work. A woman is clearly not capable of it.

All of us have faced a similar problem. Convulsive movements with a screwdriver in an attempt to remove a screw with a damaged slot only exacerbate the situation. The reasons why the notch was broken can be different, ranging from haste / haste to “gifts” that were so kindly provided by the repairmen that they unsuccessfully tried to finish what was planned!

Removing broken fasteners requires a little ingenuity, but the goal is noble and worth realizing. Here are 5 reliable methods for removing stripped screws, let's start with the most gentle method and move on to the method that can be called "cheap and cheerful." The method you choose will depend on your situation and the importance of removing stubborn fasteners.

Let's not let screws ruin our day. Let's unscrew them !

Step 1: Rubber band (elastic band)

Sometimes all it takes to get a stubborn screw out is a little more contact area. The elastic band will help keep the tip of the screwdriver in the cap with a broken slot and prevent scrolling.

You can take any elastic band, but a wide one is better. Since it provides largest area contact between cap and screwdriver.

Put the elastic band over the screwdriver and pull hard enough so that it does not sag, then carefully place the screwdriver in the broken slot and slowly turn it.

If the slot is not completely “stubbed”, the rubber band will fill in the space where the notch is broken and provide the necessary friction, which will allow the screw to be removed.

Step 2: Clamp the screw into the screwdriver chuck

If the screw is not fully embedded in the material, there is a good chance that you will be able to clamp it into the drill/driver's chuck and back out easily.

Open the chuck and place it on top of the screw head. Next, tighten the chuck by hand so that the "cams" are securely fixed on the screw. Set the Shurik / drill switch to reverse and slowly unscrew it from the board.

This works with any type of screw/screw/bolt that has a head size that allows it to be clamped in the chuck.

Step 3: Broken Screw Extractor

If you come across an extremely stubborn fastener that just won't come out, it's time to call in the heavy artillery.

Screw extractors have a left-hand thread, and screws have a right-hand thread.

Extractors are different sizes. Need to pick up right size for screwing into a broken slot. Install the extractor in the chuck of the screwdriver and tighten the chuck securely.

Set the drill switch to reverse. Since the extractor is reverse threaded, this means that a drill with an extractor set to reverse will drill into the head. By continuing to drill in the opposite direction, the extractor will begin to turn the screw, thereby unscrewing it from the board.

Step 4: Cut a New Slot

Another way to unscrew a stubborn fastener is to put a new notch on the head of a stripped screw.

Quite often it happens that fasteners during construction works edges break. Usually this happens at the most inopportune moment when you need to have time to finish the job on time. How to unscrew a screw with torn edges? Why are there such troubles? What solutions fix the problem? We will talk about all this later in the article.

Why do the edges on the fastener break off?

Before we figure out how to unscrew a stripped star screw, let's highlight a number of reasons why the problem occurs. Most often, the trouble is caused by the use of low-quality tools. We are talking about the use of a screwdriver or a screwdriver nozzle with an insufficiently sharp sting. In this case, the tight contact of the tool with the notches of the fastener disappears. Therefore, so that in the future you do not have to be puzzled by the question of how to unscrew a screw with torn edges, before performing work, you need to make sure that the tip of the screwdriver is completely immersed in the grooves.

Another reason is non-compliance with the technology of screwing fasteners. Trouble occurs when the worker does not apply enough pressure on the tool. Sometimes the location of the screwdriver tip at an angle to the screw head leads to a problem.

It is easy to guess that this can happen due to the poor quality of the materials from which the fasteners are made. Individual units may also have notch defects. In order not to have to look for a solution on how to unscrew a screw with torn edges, you should ask him before buying fasteners technical specifications and perform a visual inspection.

What is the first thing to do if there is a problem?

When the tip of the screwdriver starts to jump off the cap of the fastener, the first thing to do is stop. So that the trouble does not become even larger, you should not be persistent, repeating your own mistake. Otherwise, you can simply damage the material into which the fasteners are screwed, without achieving the desired result.

Next, you need to check how things will go with the use of another screwdriver. You should take a tool with an unworn sharp sting and try to non-violently remove the naughty fasteners. How to unscrew a screw with torn edges, if such actions do not help? In this case, it is worth using proven methods to fix the problem, about which will be discussed further in the article.

Fastener head crimp

How to unscrew a screw with stripped edges? If its head protrudes above the surface of the material, it is worth using pliers, a gas wrench or round-nose pliers. It is enough to grab the screw with one of these tools and try to turn it. Unscrew the fasteners in this case in a counterclockwise direction.

Thread restoration

How to unscrew a screw with torn edges? You can try to make a new thread on the fastener head yourself. To do this, you should use a hacksaw for metal with the thinnest blade possible. An alternative option is to use a miniature grinder. The cut should be made with extreme care so as not to completely destroy the screw head.

Drilling a screw

How to unscrew a small screw with torn edges? If no gentle method gives a result, it is worth taking drastic measures. We are talking about drilling fasteners to its base. It is recommended to use an automatic drill with a drill for metal for this purpose. Gradually, layer by layer, fasteners will be removed from the thickness of the workpiece.

Increasing friction force

To increase the adhesion between the tip of the screwdriver and the cap of the fastener, it is enough to put auxiliary material between them. You can use here a piece of metal wool, rolled tape, a thin strip of rubber. One of these materials should be applied to the damaged head of the screw and again try to remove it using a conventional screwdriver.

Fastener heating

How to unscrew a screw with torn edges? You can fix the problem by heating the fasteners. It is only necessary to resort to a solution if there is a minimal risk of damage to the material where the screw is screwed. Heating will expand the metal. When it cools, space will be released in the structure of the workpiece, which will weaken the grip.

To achieve the goal, you can use gas burner or building hair dryer. During the event, the device must be constantly in motion. Otherwise, the temperature may be too high and the material will be damaged. As soon as the fastener becomes hot to the touch, it is necessary to stop heating. After the screw has cooled down, you need to try to unscrew it with the help of improvised means, for example, capturing the head with the same pliers.

Application of the extractor

The solution to the problem can be an extractor. The tool is a kind of screwdriver, the tip of which contains a reverse thread. On the opposite side fixtures have a perpendicular crossbar, with which you can rotate.

First, you need to make a notch on the head of the fastener using a center punch and a hammer. The mark should be strictly in the center. Using a drill for metal, make a small hole in the head.

Next, you need to use the extractor itself. The tip of the tool should be inserted into the prepared notch and hit on its reverse side with a hammer. It is necessary to tap on the extractor until it is firmly fixed in the head of the fastener. Then you need to turn the device several times. As soon as the reverse thread of the extractor is firmly rooted in the structure of the material, you can begin to extract the screw.

Glue

You can try to remove a screw with torn edges using glue. The latter must be applied to the head of the fastener and attach a nut of the appropriate diameter here. An epoxy metal adhesive known as "cold welding" is recommended. As soon as the substance hardens well, it is necessary to put a wrench on the nut and turn the fasteners.

When doing work, you should use a few tips:

Before resorting to drastic measures, it is worth examining the reverse side of the workpiece into which the screw is screwed. Perhaps the tip of the fastener peeks out from the inside. In this case, you can grab it with pliers and try to unscrew it from the inside.
Getting down to business, you need to make sure that the rotation of the fastener occurs in the right direction. Some screws contain reverse threads. In such situations, to solve the problem, it is necessary to perform rotations in a clockwise direction.
If after the screw a gaping hole remains in the workpiece, you can solve the problem by inserting a larger self-tapping screw here. Alternatively, use a bolted connection with a nut.
When extracting a screw using one of the above methods, the formation of all kinds of notches and metal burrs is likely. In order not to suffer during the work, it is enough to put on tight gloves on your hands and protect your eyes with glasses.

Finally

So we looked at what to do to extract a screw with damaged edges. As you can see, find the right decision possible even in hopeless situation. A wide variety of ways to unscrew damaged fasteners is proof of this.

The site received a question from a reader of our blog. Let me now voice it and we will try to solve the problem.

“It often happens to me that when tightening a screw, its edges break off and it is impossible not to twist it further and not unscrew it. Is there any easy way to remove such a screw. Thanks in advance for your advice"

In my opinion, the problem is very common and whoever likes to do something with their own hands has met at least once with torn edges on the head of a screw or self-tapping screw. And most often this happens with screws for a Phillips screwdriver.

First of all, I want to advise you to use screwdrivers with sharp edges for screwing. And yet, if you feel that the screwdriver has started to scroll, stop immediately and at low speeds, or better, manually try to unscrew such a screw or self-tapping screw.

If it does not give in, try to heat it and then cool it, the metal expands when heated, and back when it cools. And you can try again. You can also spray with WD-40 fluid (usually any motorist has it), wait a bit and try again.

Well, if there are no more edges left on the slap, and the screw is not twisted yet, then pliers will help - we squeeze the hat with effort from the side and try to unscrew it.
Again it didn't help! Then we take a hacksaw for metal and make a cut on the screw head with a depth of 1 mm, take a flat screwdriver and unscrew it. I've always managed to get it out this way.

Everything is fine if the screw is not screwed to the end, but what to do with screws completely screwed into the body of the material. Then there is no way to get close to him. In this case, only a special tool as in the photo can help us. These are special taps with a left-hand thread or special bits for a screwdriver.

If the screwdriver constantly slips in the head of the screw, you need to create additional friction between it and the head or apply great strength torque. There are enough simple ways remove the screw with the help of improvised household materials. Of course, for tightly locked screws you will need special tools, but they are not so expensive and are always on sale.

Steps

With a regular screwdriver

Maximize the quality of the screw-driver grip. If the head of the screw has not yet been completely torn off and the screwdriver is still clinging to it, try to unscrew the screw by hand one last time. To increase your chances of success, follow the instructions below.

Use auxiliary materials to increase the friction force. If the screwdriver is slipping stubbornly in a damaged screw head, cover the screw with a small piece of material that will provide a better grip between the screwdriver and the head. Place the screwdriver on the head through this material and try to remove the screw again. As auxiliary materials the following can be used:

a wide cut elastic band (to make a strip of rubber);
a piece of steel wool;
a piece of green abrasive kitchen sponge;
adhesive tape (adhesive side to the screw head).

Tap the screwdriver lightly to seat it correctly in the slots. Hit the screwdriver carefully so you don't accidentally break the screw head. If you are working with a fragile item, skip this step.

Press firmly on the screwdriver while turning. Grasp the screwdriver handle with your palm and place your forearm in line with the screwdriver. With full force, press the screwdriver with your hand while turning.
- If the screwdriver slips through the head again, stop immediately. Further scrolling of the screwdriver in the cap will only deform it even more and complicate the process of extracting the screw. Be sure to check that you are turning the screw in the correct direction when you remove it. Usually (but not always), to unscrew the screw, it should be turned counterclockwise (we unscrew it to the left, and we twist it to the right). Strong pressure on the screwdriver itself prevents it from slipping in the hat.
heat up problem screw. If you can heat the problematic screw without any harm to the object it is screwed into, this will help loosen the grip of the thread. Heat the screw with a blow dryer or gas burner, moving the appliance constantly to avoid overheating. As soon as the screw becomes so hot that a drop of water that has fallen on it immediately begins to hiss, leave it to cool, and then try to unscrew it again.
- This is especially helpful when the screw is screwed in using a binder or adhesive.
Using a hacksaw, cut a slot in the head of the screw for a flathead screwdriver. If you are still unable to move the screw, cut a groove in its head. Then insert a flathead screwdriver into the slot and try to remove the screw. This step can be combined with any of the above steps.

With an impact screwdriver
1. Take an impact screwdriver. Impact screwdriver is hand tool, the tip of which cuts deeper into the head of the screw, due to the action of force and spring. This screwdriver is well suited for durable building structures, but it can damage electronics and fragile equipment. If you're worried about damaging an object with a stuck screw, steer clear of cheap hard spring screwdrivers as they require more strong blows hammer.
  - It is also not recommended to use an electric impact screwdriver, as its excessive force can damage the surface into which the screw is screwed.
2. Set the screwdriver to loosen the screws. Some screwdriver models have a switch. In other models, the direction of rotation is set by turning the screwdriver handle.
  
  Attach a screwdriver to the head of the screw. Insert an appropriately sized bit into the screwdriver. Attach a screwdriver to the screw and hold it strictly at an angle of 90º to the plane of the cap. Grasp the middle of the screwdriver handle so that the end of the handle is free.
  
  Hit the screwdriver with a mallet. Hit the screwdriver handle hard with a heavy mallet. A rubber mallet will help prevent scratches on the screwdriver handle.
  
  Check the direction of rotation of the screwdriver. Some impact screwdrivers reset their rotation settings after each impact. If the setting is reset, return it to the unscrew position.
  
  Repeat the procedure until the screw yields. As soon as the screw starts to unscrew, switch to a regular screwdriver and unscrew it from the hole.
With an extractor
1. Punch a hole in the center of the screw head. Set the punch exactly in the center of the screw head. Tap the center punch with a hammer to make a notch for installing the drill.
  - Wear eye protection against flying metal filings. Do not remove protection until the end of work.
2. Drill a hole in the head of the screw. Take a quality drill designed for drilling solid metals. The extractor must be marked with the appropriate drill size for it. Drill slowly and evenly (if possible, use drilling machine). First, drill a hole 3-6 mm deep. If the hole is too deep, the screw may break. It's a good idea to start drilling the screw with a thinner bit so that later it's easier to work with a thicker one.
  
  Tap the extractor in the hole with a brass mallet. The hardened extractor metal is brittle enough that a blow from an iron or steel hammer can break it. Tap the extractor until it locks securely into the drilled hole.
  
  Turn the extractor carefully. If the torque is too harsh or uneven, the extractor may break, making the situation worse. The safest way to remove a screw with an extractor is to use the handle that comes with it. The drilling itself should have loosened the screw, so it should come out with little effort.
  - Some extractor sets have a hexagonal non-working end. Grab this end with two wrenches at a 180º angle to each other to uniform distribution efforts.
3. Heat up the screw if it doesn't budge. If the screw does not come out or you are afraid to break the extractor, remove the tool. Heat the screw with a torch, and then drop paraffin or plain water on it to lubricate the threads. When the screw has cooled, try using the extractor again.
Additional Methods
1. Hire a professional. If all your efforts are in vain, hire a craftsman who can remove the screw using an EDM machine. This is often the only way out when the extractor has broken off in the head of the screw.
- If you get a chance to look at the back of the surface the screw is screwed into, check to see if it's sticking out there. In this case, you can use pliers or a box wrench to grab the end of the screw and unscrew it from the inside out.
- Make sure you turn the screw in the correct direction. The screw may be reverse threaded, requiring clockwise rotation to remove it.
- If the hole left after the screw is damaged, then the situation can be corrected in several ways.