Damaged screw extractor

[lupi]

Looking to buy a stripped screw extractor since everything seems to ship with screws made of pseudo metal now. For anyone that has experience using them, what's a good type to get?

 

[NutBucket]

What size of screws are you talking about?

Easy Outs are fine for larger screws (anything over 3/16" or so). Smaller screws are much tougher to deal with.

 

[lupi]

Basically common around the house sizes. I've come across a couple kits, but most are lite or reviews.

 

[Six]

The ones Sears sell (Craftsman?) work great, but cost 3-4x more than the the Harbor Freight ones. The Harbor Freight ones will shatter if there's enough resistance, which there will be since the screwhead is stripped. The Home Depot ones Ryobi seems to hold up.

 

[shortylickens]

Cut it with a file and use a flathead.

 

[IronWing]

Cut it with a file and use a flathead.

Dremel + cutoff wheels work great for this.

 

[NutBucket]

So long as the screw isn't busted below the surface.