Thread: How do I remove a screw with a broken head?

Angie

Pop over to Bunnies and get a set of screw removers. These are reverse-threaded taps. Drill into the top of the offending screw (with a suitably narrow drill bit), screw in the tap (it will go in anti-clockwise) so, as you continue to screw it in, it will act as a screwdriver and unscrew the broken piece.

No doubt the broken screw is the result of a too-small pilot hole (which would be especially problematical if you were using brass screws, which are softer than steel). Make sure you drill the correct size hole. In the case of brass screws, tap it with a steel screw as well before screwing in the brass screw.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Pop over to Bunnies

Not sure that have Bunnies in Canada (just a mater of time). Bunnings (or Bunnies) is a large hardware store chain. Sort of like Home Depot.


Grunt

If the head is still exposed I saw a tip on TV last night. Tighten the chuck of your drill on it and put it into reverse and unscrew it.

Just reading the title of your post, I'd say go see a doctor, get your head fixed, then use a screwdriver.

Seriously though, it very much depends on the size of the screw whether or not a screw extractor will remove the screw. If it won't, I can't offer anything positive I'm afraid other than trying to drill it out then filling the hole with a dowel of the appropriate colour and starting again.

I'm going to make a few guesses to make this a bit more fun!

Firstly I'm guessing the screw is too small to drill out.

Secondly I'm hoping that the damage is going to be hidden under a hinge, but even if it wasn't a small repair won't hurt.

Go to your hardware store, preferably one that has decent wood supplies, and buy two plug cutters. These are special hollow drill bits which are designed to cut little timber plugs to pop into screw holes. The smallest one available is about 6mm inside Diameter (1/4") and is designed to make plugs of that size- get one of those.

Also buy one whose INSIDE diameter is larger than the OUTSIDE diameter of the smaller one.

Now go home, remove the hinge, and carefully cut a plug over the broken screw with the small size (practice on a scrap first). Break out the plug around the screw carefully with a small screwdriver, and with some needlenose pliers, grab the stub of the screw and carefully work it out (unscrew it).

You will probably now have a chewed up mess of a hole.

Drill it out to match the depth and diameter of the larger plug cutter.

Find a scrap of timber which matches the grain around the hinge as close as possible and cut a plug with the bigger cutter.

Glue the plug in, and hey presto! You're back where you started before you broke the screw.

Plug cutters aren't super cheap, but they are handy bits of gear, and you'll be surprised at how often you use them once you own them.

That's how I do it anyway!

Hope it works out for you,

Cheers,

P

I guess the screw is a small gauge .If so drill a series of small holes around the broken screw which will enable you to gently lever the screw out . Now redrill with a larger bit to form a clean hole .
Glue a plug into the hole and start again.

Angie, Try Canadian Tire or Home Depot. They are bound to have Screw Removers. Or try Ninefinger's suggestion - it will work.

Just drill one hole (a bit bigger than the screw) hardup against the screw.
Tap the screw sideways into the new hole with a fine centre punch and it should come out easy.
Then glue suitable size wood dowels into both holes.
Now you can start again.
(This method even works well removing old rusted in nails from secondhand timber)

Now.... since most of the sensible suggestion have been already posted (well almost sensible, how on earth can you drill a hole in a timber screw for a hinge, unless it is a 6" hinge for a 2" thick door using 28 gage screws?)...err... Ok this is my stupid suggestion.
Assuming it is a 3-screw hinge for a light cabinet door that has 2 or even 3 hinges, do the following: Replace the screw next to the broken one with a longer screw to compensate for loss of strength. Then get some epoxy adhesive, put one drop in the hole and glue the head of the screw back in place, holding it with some masking tape for an hour or so.
You will be the only one to know one screw is broken....well, you and me, but I promise not to tell

echinidna has it in one. it will work and is simple.

Chisel out a small 'crater' round the end of the screw shaft and grip the exposed end with pliers or suregrips and unscrew.
Works for me.
Bought some stud extractors about thirty years ago and have never yet had any success - main problem is drilling a hole in the centre of a relatively small diameter screw as opposed to studs in an engine block.

Thanks for all these great suggestions. Very much appreciated. I was indeed using brass screws to mount the hardware after finishing the cabinet. I had already mounted the hardware using steel screws prior to finishing the cabinet but when I went to put the hardware on to finish it, I used brass screws to match the hinge. I was also using a hard wood.
Thanks again everyone.
Angie

Angie,
a quick tip: to prevent (or at least minimise) the possibility of a reoccurence use a bit of beeswax on the thread of all brass or stainless steel screws. The lubrication makes them much easier to drive in and prevents the jerky action that often leads to breakage.

Mick

Originally Posted by angiecan

How do I remove a screw with a broken head?

Do not use a broken head to remove a screw. This method will only cause you more frustration. Use one of the perfectly good options listed above.