Rounded Out Screws

Flat head and pre used screws are something of a nemesis when it comes to renewing old woodwork. Rounded out, split and broken screws needn't get in the way though. Here are 3 tricks I can pass on from my years working on rennovations and restoration projects. Starting with tip #1...

Prevention is paramount.

Power tools are a blessing, but sometimes they can be a wee bit too powerful for their own good- jumping out of the screw slot and grinding the head to pieces. Top tip here: Stop spinning as soon as possible, before it gets worse. Assess the damage and if there's still a decent amount of purchase on the screw head you can keep going. (If the screw isn't meant to come back out or it's going to be trouble to get back out, try tip 2) Sometimes though it's better to cut your loses, back out and use another screw if you've got one spare.

Tip 2 Try some pressure.

So the screw's being stubborn, but there's still some purchase on the head. Put as much pressure as you can safely get on it whilst keeping the screw driver as square/perpendicular/parallel to the screw as possible. this should ensure maximum grip and less likely to slip. Warning: Only put as much pressure on the screw as you're comfortable doing- not for the screw's sake, but rather if you slip you could damage anything surrounding the area or worse still hurt yourself on a screw that's poking out.

Tip 3 Totally rounded, or snapped and no hope...

If the screw has rounded out completely then an electric drill driver with a chuck is the best bet of salvaging the situation. *This only works if there is some of the screw still poking out*. To use this method, open the adjustable chuck to fit as far on to the rounded screw head or snapped off screw as possible. Tighten up the chuck until it clicks a number of times, or until steadfast. Put the drill in reverse and in drill mode if it has it (not the torques setting). GENTLY pull the trigger until the screw starts to move and unscrew. Otherwise a manual version of this is to use grips, pliers, or for more purchase; mole grips. Try any of these to spin the stuck screw out in a similar fashion.

I should say here: this is generally a last resort, and especially if in an obvoious, or decorative area- for this reason; some screws are subborn, or poorly made and will simply snap off in the timber. If this is hidden behind a hinge, then no worries, but should be taken into consideration before abandoning.

If the screw is in a hinge and has totally stuck fast, a small bar, such as the one featured below (A Hultafors 108 mini bar) is your best bet - taking care not to split any timber out and then fill the remaining hole with cocktail sticks as specified in this post here.

Advice on the nature of metal screws

Screws, being made of metal, are maleable; the more pressure and friction applied with any tool will generally make it smoother. With very stuck screws it is therefore a good idea to find as much grip with the tools you are using on the first go/ few goes rather than smooth off any possible grip and be left with a slippy nub of metal.

If these free DIY methods don't work, there are a couple of cheats you can usem if you don't mind splashing the cash (I'm not sponsored, nor an affiliate of amazon):

The first is tank bond liquid grip (<click for link to amazon) which essentially does what it says on the tin. It's wipe away & minimal residue. I'll leave a youtube video here for those interested: The whole video is actually quite helpful, but the demo for liquid grip is 5 minutes in https://youtu.be/mDpZfk3l5MA?si=xQLZ3EK8BHe7Th7a&t=195

The Second are specialised screw removal tools (<click for link to amazon), that I am told work especially well on stainless steel screws, however there is a disclaimer - which is that I have never used these. There has always been a work around that doesn't require me going to amazon to buy more tools. Maybe I'm missing a trick here - someone please tell me if I am!!