By Julie Peri–
Stripped screws are one of the challenges that you may encounter when building with wood. If a screw strips when it is halfway into a piece of wood and you can’t get it to go any further into the wood or get the screw to back out of the board, it can not only be frustrating but you also may feel like the only option is to scrap the wood and start again. But this is not the case! There are many options to remove the screw and save your project. You can purchase a screw extractor from a hardware store or online that will definitely do the job, but if you don’t want to stop what you are doing or spend money, we have a few hacks using items that you likely already have.
Hack #1: Wide Rubber band
To remove a stripped screw using a wide rubber band, place the rubber band on the top of the screw head. Place your screwdriver or drill bit on top of the rubber band so it sinks into the stripped hole on top of the screw head. Apply extra pressure on your screwdriver or drill and twist counter-clockwise; if using a screwdriver or if using a drill, put it in reverse. The extra grip from the rubber band should allow you to remove the screw. This hack is easiest but may not always work, so we have provided a few more hacks for you to try.
Hack #2: Drill Chuck
Another great way to remove a stripped screw is using the chuck of your electric drill. To remove the stripped screw, you will open the chuck of the drill enough to fit the head of the screw in and tighten the chuck as much as you can. Put your drill in reverse and the screw should easily come out of the wood.
Hack #3: Vice Grips
If you don’t have a drill handy, you can also use vice grips to remove the screw. To do this, you will place the vice grips tightly locked around the head of the screw. Turn them counter-clockwise to remove the screw. This option is just a little more labor intensive, since you will need to manually twist the screw out by hand.
Learn more about woodworking with us in person in San Francisco, or online from the comfort of your own home. Here is what we have coming up next!
Introduction to Tools
May 8 and June 12
(Bay Area)
Make your own Charcuterie Board
May 8 and May 29
(online)
Learn Advanced Wood Burning
May 22
(online)
Learn Wood Burning Basics
June 12
(online)
For more information about these and other events, go to: https://www.dykeswithdrills.com/workshops
Julie Peri is the Founder and Director of Dykes With Drills. https://www.dykeswithdrills.com/
Published on April 22, 2021
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