Even when using the correct tool, it can be tricky to remove a screw. You may also have some stubborn screws that won’t come out no matter what you do; maybe they’re rusted or corroded making them almost impossible to move.
If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry — there is a solution! Instead of giving up and leaving the screw where it is, keep reading to learn how to get that pesky screw out of your object. It can take some trial and error but it should be possible to get it out with the following tips.
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Dry Out the area around the Screw
If a screw has been in place for a while, there may be some moisture or rust surrounding the place where it has been screwed in. If this is the case, the best way to remove it is to dry out the area around the screw itself.
You can use a dry towel or a hairdryer for this. This can make the area around the screw harder and make it easier to remove the screw. This mainly works for wood and other materials that get soft when they are wet.
Use a Hammer and Chisel
If you find that a screw is so stubborn that it won’t move, no matter what you try, you can use a hammer and chisel to break it out of the surface it is attached to. This process can be a little destructive, but it may be necessary if you really need to remove the screw.
Make sure to use a chisel that is of a similar size to the head of the screw. Once you have done this, place the chisel on top of the head of the screw and hammer it down until it breaks through the surface. Once the head has broken through, use pliers to remove it from the surface it is attached to. This method might be a little destructive, but it may be necessary if the screw is so stubborn that you simply can’t remove it any other way.
Add traction to the screw
You can use a small knife to add traction to the screw. Carve in the screw just under the screw head to add a few groves. These groves might be able to offer more grip and make it possible to remove the screw. It can take a few tries to get it completely done but it is a great trick that often works.
You can also bend the top of the screw to pull it out this way. This can cause some damage though so be careful when you try this approach.
If you wiggle the screw and add more pressure to it, it is possible that it will start to get out as well. You can also try to adjust the angle of your drill.
Try Using WD-40 or another lubricant
Whenever you find yourself in a situation where a screw won’t come loose, try spraying a little WD-40 or another lubricant on the screw. Let the lubricant sit on the screw for a few minutes so it has enough time to get into the thread of the screw. Once you have done this, try to unscrew the screw again and you may find that it is much easier to get it loose than it was before.
WD-40 and other lubricants are designed to get into the thread of a screw and help it move more freely. This is especially good for rusty or corroded screws that are difficult to remove. This method works best for screws that are simply a little tight. If a screw has corroded in place so much that it won’t turn at all, this method probably won’t work for you.
Try Different Sized Screw Drivers
If you find that you are struggling to remove a screw and you have the correct tool for the job, try using a screwdriver that is a different size than you would normally use. Sometimes when you use a screwdriver that is smaller than the screw, you may be able to get the screw to budge and become loose. This method may not work for every screw, but it does work for some of the toughest out there. If you are having trouble removing a screw, try using a screwdriver that is a different size than you normally would. You never know when this method will work for you.
You can also dry different tools to see what works. Nose pliers could help to get it out.
Use a screw extractor set
If nothing else has worked for you, try a screw extractor set. Screw extractor sets come in different sizes based on the size of the screw you are trying to remove. It is important to find a set that is the correct size for the screw you need to remove. Once you have found the correct size, it is simply a matter of following the instructions that come with the set. You may find that using a screw extractor set is a bit difficult. This is especially true if the screw you are trying to remove is very corroded or rusted.
Check the settings of your drill
If you are struggling to remove a screw and have tried everything else, you may want to check the settings on your drill. You may find that there is some type of setting on your drill that is preventing you from removing the screw.
Some drills slip and stop working when they encounter some resistance. You can adjust this setting. This can cause damage to your drill though so be careful when you do this.
To conclude we can state that it can take some trial and error to remove a screw. In this post, we have outlined some solutions that might work if the screw turns around but doesn’t come out. It can be hard to remain patient. In most instances, it is possible to remove the screw. We have outlined what you can do if the head of the screw is broken here.
Resources
https://www.wd40.com/how-to/faqs/
