How to Remove the Cap Screws
Worst nightmare for aspiring carpenters: You try to tighten or remove a screw, but find that the head has been removed. You push a screwdriver or drill into the head and try to turn, but there is no friction. First, try going back a bit to the propeller turns. If that doesn’t work, try one (or more) of these tips for removing the stripped screw.
Our first round of proposals comes from the DIY experts at Stack Exchange .
Drill screw
Damaged screws can be removed by drilling the screw with a drill, and then using a special screw extraction tool, which is tapered and has a thread that rotates in the opposite direction from the screw thread.
The extraction process must be carried out slowly and carefully, because the extraction process is more fragile than the usual screw insertion.
Visit the Gilles’ Outlet Store for a detailed description of the process outlined above. – Answered by Jeff Ferland
Use a rubber band
Use an elastic band. (This method was also previously seen on Lifehacker .) – Answered by zzzzBov
Make a notch in the screw head.
Use a dremel or hacksaw to cut a notch in the screw head, then use a slotted screwdriver to remove it. – Answered by Tester101
Try Grabit Pro
Grabit Pro removes damaged and broken screws. All you need is a portable drill. I’ve used it a couple of times and it worked every time. – Answered by lqlarry
Use pliers
I have found that a pair of gripping vise pliers work great as long as the screw is not completely buried in. Just squeeze it around your head and start turning. Be aware that this method can damage the wood around the screw as the jaws of the vise clamp will scratch the surface. – Answer onaclov2000
If you’re looking for a few more methods, consider them in the Remove and Replace DIY Home Projects section :
Rip out the glue
Glue the nut to the top of the screw and remove it with a wrench. This will depend on your ability to attach the nut to the screw without accidentally sticking it to the tree itself, so proceed with caution.
Use a larger screwdriver.
This is one of those “so simple it might work” ideas, but if the screw in question is not too badly damaged, you can remove it simply by trying a larger screwdriver. Is there a secret to removing the stripped screw? Leave your suggestion in the comments.
This story was originally published in April 2012 and updated with additional methods in September 2020.