How do I remove a screw when the top broke off????

[MrDingleDangle]

I have a piece of metal that I need to remove the screw from, but the top broke off. the end of the screw is flush with one side of the metal, the hole for the screw goes all the way through, but the screw does not reach the other side.

Is there any way to get the screw out or am i S*** out of luck?

 

[So]

Drill it out?

 

[skyking]

depends on the diameter of the screw, and if you are proficient with drilling and using easy outs. If you are not, get some help.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Sorry, the screw will be in that hole until the end of time.

That's just how it is.

Try one of those stripped-screw removing bits, or drill it out.

If the screw is wide enough, you may be able to cut a slot for a standard screwdriver.

 

[hjo3]

If the fit isn't tight, you could superglue a small, bent nail to the exposed surface and use it like an allen wrench.

 

[MrDingleDangle]

Originally posted by: hjo3
If the fit isn't tight, you could superglue a small, bent nail to the exposed surface and use it like an allen wrench.

interesting idea...i would like to subscribe to your mailing list....i shall try that tomorrow

 

[MrDingleDangle]

Originally posted by: So
Drill it out?

may also try this, but it is a small screw, so i dunno if i will be able to do it...maby i can drill a small hole on the one end and then glue a nail into it

 

[tomywishbone]

Originally posted by: hjo3
If the fit isn't tight, you could superglue a small, bent nail to the exposed surface and use it like an allen wrench.

But if you use even one milligram too much super glue, and the glue touches both the screw and the surrounding metal, the resulting explosion will be heard in the next county, and of course you'll be blown to bits.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: hjo3
If the fit isn't tight, you could superglue a small, bent nail to the exposed surface and use it like an allen wrench.

Did you ever do that?

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: So
Drill it out?

I think drilling it maybe your only option if it is broken off. If it is small than you may not find a screw extractor small enought to fit. I've drilled out some small screws (motherboard screw size) with success.

 

[tfinch2]

Clamp on some small vice grips and unscrew it by hand.

 

[DivideBYZero]

If you leave it in there it will absorb your soul.

 

[theknight571]

Get one of these... if you can get one small enough.

Screw-OUT® Damaged Screw Remover

I would think there are other brands available as well.

 

[illusion88]

Originally posted by: MrDingleDangle

Originally posted by: hjo3
If the fit isn't tight, you could superglue a small, bent nail to the exposed surface and use it like an allen wrench.

interesting idea...i would like to subscribe to your mailing list....i shall try that tomorrow

I don't think that is going to work. Either the glue won't hold (it breaks) or you glue it to both the metal and the offending screw and you won't be able to turn it.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: theknight571
Get one of these... if you can get one small enough.

Screw-OUT® Damaged Screw Remover

I would think there are other brands available as well.

I was going to post something like this as well. I have a set of 3 different sizes. They are sharp like the end of a drill bit but in reverse so it digs into part of the screw as you use your drill in reverse and helps remove it.

Might have to drill a small hole in the top if you can first so it has something to grip, otherwise can just try pushing hard.

 

[Skotty]

The tool required is sometimes called a screw extractor. Here's another example:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde...507&parentPage=family&searchId=1304507

Used these a lot for automotive work. For the kind above, you drill a small hole in the screw first, then use the extractor. From the looks of it, the sears part is a single step deal.

If your screw is really small, however, you might be out of luck.

[Edit] Looks like Ace sells some for small screws too: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde...507&parentPage=family&searchId=1304507

 

[skimple]

Post a pic so we can see how bad it is.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: So
Drill it out?

Uh, like yeah!

Gosh!


Also depending out how big the screw is and what not, you could notch it with a dremel if you happen to have one and use a flathead screw driver to get it out.

 

[Brutuskend]

I have a set of snap-on left hand drill bits.
Quite often just the bit biting into the screw alone will remove it, when that doesn't work, I have a set of snap-on screw extractors.
And as others have mentioned, if there is enough metal showing you can just cut a slot across the screw and use a slotted screw driver.

 

[Jeeebus]

Jeeebus: Do not try to remove the screw. That is impossible. Instead... only try to realize the truth.
Mr. DingleDangle: What truth?
Jeeebus: There is no screw.

 

[hjo3]

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: hjo3
If the fit isn't tight, you could superglue a small, bent nail to the exposed surface and use it like an allen wrench.

Did you ever do that?

Not exactly, but I've done similar things building miniatures. Granted, if the screw is too narrow this might do more harm than good -- but I imagined it was something like a 6-32, in which case this shouldn't be too difficult. The only question would be "Can a tiny dot of superglue survive the necessary torque?".

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: hjo3

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: hjo3
If the fit isn't tight, you could superglue a small, bent nail to the exposed surface and use it like an allen wrench.

Did you ever do that?

Not exactly, but I've done similar things building miniatures. Granted, if the screw is too narrow this might do more harm than good -- but I imagined it was something like a 6-32, in which case this shouldn't be too difficult. The only question would be "Can a tiny dot of superglue survive the necessary torque?".

Or, if it was me trying this -

"Can he keep the dot of superglue tiny enough from wicking down the sides of the screw, *really* locking the threads?

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: hjo3

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: hjo3
If the fit isn't tight, you could superglue a small, bent nail to the exposed surface and use it like an allen wrench.

Did you ever do that?

Not exactly, but I've done similar things building miniatures. Granted, if the screw is too narrow this might do more harm than good -- but I imagined it was something like a 6-32, in which case this shouldn't be too difficult. The only question would be "Can a tiny dot of superglue survive the necessary torque?".

That's why I asked. Thanks.

 

[TheGizmo]

Originally posted by: rivan

Originally posted by: hjo3

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: hjo3
If the fit isn't tight, you could superglue a small, bent nail to the exposed surface and use it like an allen wrench.

Did you ever do that?

Not exactly, but I've done similar things building miniatures. Granted, if the screw is too narrow this might do more harm than good -- but I imagined it was something like a 6-32, in which case this shouldn't be too difficult. The only question would be "Can a tiny dot of superglue survive the necessary torque?".

Or, if it was me trying this -

"Can he keep the dot of superglue tiny enough from wicking down the sides of the screw, *really* locking the threads?

yea thats what i was thinking when i read that.

anyway, id try to score the surface of the screw with something like a dremel....tho i'd make a philips scoring, not flat.. as you have a less chance of stripping it IMO, just dig as deep as you can with those scorings. dig into the metal if its not gonna hurt whatever it is you're working on too badly

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: hjo3
If the fit isn't tight, you could superglue a small, bent nail to the exposed surface and use it like an allen wrench.

I did that with a paper clip when I broke a screw off in my Zalman cooler a while back. It works quite well.