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Opening a screw that has been filed away

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  • 25-03-2009 10:17am
    #1
    lisajane
    Closed Accounts Posts: 585 ✭✭✭


    Is there a way to open a screw that has been filed away? It a very very small screw. I was trying to open something and taking out the screw. It wouldn't open so i kept at it and now its been filed away.


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    #2
    Gurgle
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,064 ✭✭✭Gurgle


    Tricky, but do-able.
    You can get an 'easy-out' set from your local motor factor.

    You have to drill a hole into the head of the screw, the easy-out is a reverse-threaded insert screw that unscrews your screw as it screws itself in.

    (Cue the 'screwing' gags)


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    #3
    cnocbui
    Registered Users Posts: 20,091 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    Despite trying several brands of screw extractors over the years, I have never once got them to work on small screws/bolts, they have snapped off every time, leaving a far bigger headache than the original problem, due to their hardness.

    If there is not enough head left to cut a new slot in, using a dremel with a cut-off disk, drilling it out might be your only option.


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    #4
    GreeBo
    Registered Users Posts: 27,177 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    where is the screw, whats it on?
    If the screw is not recessed (the head sits above the surface) then you have 2 options
    1) try to grab the screw with a pliers/mole grips
    2) remove the head with a dremel etc and just lift the two pieces apart.

    If they fail or if its recessed Ive usually gotten them out by cutting a single slot in the screw head with a dremel or hacksaw and using a flat head screwdriver to remove it.


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    #5
    3dsteel
    Registered Users Posts: 76 ✭✭3dsteel


    You could try a Grabit damaged screw remover. You can get them at B&Q.
    http://nextday.diy.com/app/jsp/product/productPage.jsp?productId=21391

    See demo below:
    http://www.4grabit.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1


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    #6
    quietsailor
    Registered Users Posts: 1,428 ✭✭✭quietsailor


    Why do you need to get the screw out? Is it for example something held onto a wall? I had such a problem earlier this year and couldn't get close to the screw to cut a slot into it or even to dremel it out.

    What I did was put back in all the other screws to hold it onto the wall, then I used a holesaw to cut the timber around the drill. After that when I took the remaining screws out I was able to lift the press off the wall over the damaged screw. Now it off the wall and out of the way I was able to use a vice grips to catch the screw and simply unscrew it form the wall


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    #7
    gsxr1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,167 ✭✭✭gsxr1


    is this a machine part or a wood screw?

    Drill it out and retap bigger or use a helicoil


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