Thread: broken screw

Gqay Paul, carefully drill a small hole through the screw and if you have got the cash you can buy screw extractor set which will allow you to remove the broken one.You can try drilling a hole large enough to fir a small screw driver into the hole and slowly turn it out.must be very careful here, place the box on rags etc to protect as you gently tap the driver into the hole just enough to bit into the walls. Good luck bill

Originally Posted by larool29

I was a bit heavy handed last night and broke a brass screw while attaching a hinge to my seat/box made from spotted gum. It was a No 6 by 3/4. Is there a method to remove to broken screw without wrecking the lid. Please help!!
Paul

Haven't actually done it, but as I think about it I would try a very small drill bit down the centre (brass is quite soft, as you've learned) and then wedge an awl in the hole and try to back it out. It's a tough challenge as a #6 is small and the lid will be easily damaged.

Maybe someone else will post a revelation and we'll both learn something.

{Edit: BillyM is quick on the trigger. ]

I normally drill a hole alongside the screw and tap the screw into the hole with a centre punch. Glue a timber plug in the hole and start again.

Its good practise to screw an identical size steel screw in the hole before you put the brass screw in.

This is quick and easy and will work if the hinge will hide the extraction hole.

If it has broken above timber level, unscrew hinge and grab with some vice grips and rotate out.
To be honest I have tried the hole drilling down the centre and it never works. The top is never flat and the drill wanders.
I would go for the drill down the side method if you have nothing to grab.

What Mat & Echnidna said. It is much easier to drill 1 or 2 small holes next to the screw and extract it with a pair of needle-nosed pliers. Then drill a 1.4" hole and plug it. It's best to use a plug cut with a plug cutter than a dowel, as with a dowel you will be screwing into end grain that is not strong.
When using brass screws, tap the hole with a steel screw first.

There is a device that is a hollow tube that is used to drill (in the reverse direction) around the screw. The screw and surrounding wood usually just breaks off and becomes lodged in the hollow tube. The ones sold in the US (at Rockler) are 1/4" outside diameter. Then a dowel of 1/4" in diameter is glued into the hole. When the glue has dried, a new pilot hole is drilled and a new screw installed. I've used this little tool and it works great.

BTW - When using brass screws it is best to use a steel screw to create the initial hole and threads before using the brass screw.

Another handy tip, is to dip the screw in wax eg Traditional Wax before screwing it in. Not too much wax, just enough to help ease the screw in. Also, I wouldn't suggest using the wax until after the item is finished.

cheers
Wendy

Thanks for all your help. I guess the best and in the long term strongest solution was to drill and then plug the hole but being a novice in this area and if I got it wrong it would have made a big mess, I opted to try and remove the screw with an extractor. After some patient drilling I was able to get enough bite and remove the screw.

I had previously screwed the hinges with normal screws as per one suggestion however, I did forget to put some was on the threads. I did after that one broke.

Thanks again for all your help

Paul

Firstly if you are breaking screws it is because your pilot hole or in hardwoods "holes" (I usually use 2 different pilot drills) are not large enough or you screw is too big for your pilot holes take your pick.
Pre screwing with a steel screw and waxing screws are both good practice.

If you have a Lathe making a broken screw remover is as simple as turning a section of bar to a little larger than the screw shank diameter and drilling it out so you have only a thin wall like a hole saw and then just file some simple teeth on the end .
Once the plug is removed just glue a piece of timber into the hole and try again.

Ross

If you haven't got any wax to hand you can use soap. it will do the same thing.

You did well to get the broken screw out - usually it's not possible. Glad it all worked out.

Glad you got the screw out.
Another tip is to use a drill, simply close the chuck around the broken screw shaft, tighten and slowly turn the screw out. It seems to work better than pliers or vice grip as you have three points of contact.

If you cant get to the shaft, drill a few small holes (1mm) all around the screw and clear a small amount of the wood from around the screw with a small chisel. Then use the drill. When the screw is out drill a countersink hole and plug. Re-drill and put in new screw as stated above.

jock