How to remove a stripped screw without a drill
Stripped screws are a pain to remove, and some just won’t come out no matter what you do. There are many wonderful solutions out there, much too many to list, and no single method works for all screws. You’ll need to raise the friction or torque if your screwdriver bit is slipping against the screw head. Using common home items, there are several simple ways to improve your screw grip. For severely jammed screws, you’ll need a specialty tool. There are some tools which can be used for stripping screw without using a drill.
Sing a screwdriver in manual mode
Try this simple solution if your screwdriver bit is slipping against the screw head. Begin by tapping the screwdriver into the screw head with a hammer. This should provide you enough grip to twist the fastener, especially if it’s composed of soft metal. If that doesn’t work, wrap the screw with a rubber band or a small piece of duct tape with the sticky side against the screw head. Again, use the screwdriver to press the material into the hole. If your screw has a Phillips head, another alternative is to use a flat-head screwdriver that fits into the Phillips head hole.
Extractor screw sing
Screw extractors, which are counter-threaded to the way screws are threaded, are an excellent solution for those obstinate screws that just won’t come out. Screw extractors exist in a variety of sizes, so choose the proper one for your stripped screw’s screw head. To secure the extractor, place it in the drill’s check and tighten the chuck. Make sure the drill is turned backwards. Because the extractor is reverse-threaded, it will drill into the stripped screw and bite into the screw head when the drill is turned around in reverse. Continue to drill in reverse, and the extractor will begin to turn the screw backwards, backing it out.
Vice-grips or pliers can be used
As long as the stripped screw isn’t completely buried, this is an excellent method for removing it. Simply secure the screw head with a clamp and begin twisting! This method, however, should be used with caution because the jaws of the vise grip could scratch the surrounding surface around the screw.
Rotary tool application
If none of the other methods work, another alternative is to use a rotary tool. Start by cutting a narrow slit in the stripped screw with a thin cutting disc attached to your rotary tool. Make sure it’s deep enough for a flathead screwdriver to fit in, but not so deep that the screwdriver can’t hold it. If your screwdriver won’t fit, enlarge the cut, but only little; if you cut off too much of the screw, a screwdriver won’t catch and you won’t be able to twist it. Wear your safety glasses when using the rotary tool since stray metal shavings can disperse around the device.
Get the glue gun out
Remove the screw using a wrench by gluing a nut to the top of it. Proceed with caution since your ability to get the nut to adhere to the screw without accidently gluing it to the wood will be dependent on your ability to get the nut to adhere to the screw without mistakenly gluing it to the wood itself.
Notch it up
Cutting a notch in the stripped screw head using a rotary tool is slightly more destructive than a screw extractor. The notch cut may damage the surrounding surface depending on how deep the screw is seated in the material. Cut a single slot into the head of the stripped screw with a rotary tool with a cutting wheel. This will create a channel in which a flathead screwdriver can seat and back out the screw.
Cutting Tool for Wood Plugs
If the stripped screw has been deeply lodged in your material and no other options appear to be working, it’s time to get a little more destructive. Wood plug cutters can be used to remove material from around a deep-set screw, giving you access to a screw that would otherwise be out of reach. Position the plug cutter above the screw in an electric drill. The plug cutter should be used to remove material from above and around the stripped screw until it reaches the screw head’s depth. Remove the plug cutter and any debris it left behind, then check to see whether you can get to the screw head and remove it.
JB Weld
To secure a nut to the screw head, use JB Weld or a similar super-strong “welding” glue. Select a nut that is nearly the same size as the screw head, or has a hole in the middle that is smaller than the screw’s hole. Place the nut on top of the screw and make sure it’s centered. Fill the hole with JB weld, taking care not to have it run all over the place. This shouldn’t be a problem if the nut is flush with the screw. If it can’t be flush, seal around the edges with a quick-drying temporary gasket or the like to keep the JB weld in the hole and not all over the place. Allow for drying time as directed by the manufacturer. Use a socket wrench to remove the screw once it has hardened.
Abrasive Powder should be added to the mix
The abrasive power approach, like the rubber band and steel wool method, increases traction so you can obtain a better grasp on the stripped screw and twist it out more quickly. Exert a little amount of abrasive powder or sand to the stripped screw head before using the drill bit to apply pressure. Slowly turn the screw out, making sure you have a strong grip on it. The sand or powder usually suffices to keep the drill bit from slipping.
