How To Remove A Stripped Screw or Bolt? [Easiest Way]

How To Remove A Stripped Allen Screw Set & Allen Head Bolt

1. Remove a stripped Allen screw

A stripped Allen screw in a priceless piece of furniture is a scary sight. You have to get it out, but how? Fortunately, there are methods for removing Allen screws.

Stripped Allen screws can be extracted with specific screw extractor kits and chemicals. Pliers may also remove a stripped screw if the head is accessible. Create a fresh indentation with a rotary tool or a screwdriver to remove the screw.

Stripped Allen screws are a pain, but they don’t have to stay stuck forever. Follow the advice in this article to avoid dealing with stripped screws in the future.

There are numerous techniques for removing a stripped Allen screw from furniture or other surfaces. But you can’t utilize every possible approach in every scenario.

The Allen screw’s condition might limit the tools and procedures you can employ. In some situations, you may need to buy a new tool.

Method 1: Use Your Pliers

Removing a hex screw with a wholly exposed head is simple. All you need are your pliers.

Grab the hex screw head tightly with pliers. Assemble the jaws securely over the screw head. If the pliers’ grip is tight, the head will be squeezed.

Begin rotating the screw out after the pliers’ jaws have grabbed the screw head. Avoid using too much power to avoid shattering the screw head. To avoid breaking the remaining part of the screw, take it out by hand. If resistance persists, use the pliers to withdraw the screw further.

Method 2: Remove the stripped Allen screw with another material

Screws that aren’t too damaged can be removed using a screwdriver. You only need a rubber band or another piece of material to aid you.

Place a rubber band, small cloth, or cardboard on the screw head. Align it correctly with the stripped screw. Next, get a screwdriver. Check that it fits the stripped screw you wish to remove.

Begin twisting the screwdriver to engage the screw. Twist and turn until the stripped screw is gone.

Method 3: Use a Special Substance to Remove the Stripped Allen Screw

Using a specific material may be a possibility if the stripped screw is not distorted. Screw Grab, for example, is designed to create friction between your tool and a stripped screw.

Apply a tiny quantity on the screw head and remove. The material will enable the screw simpler to grip and release.

Method 4: Flatten the stripped Allen screw

Power tools can assist remove stripped screws. A rotary tool, for example, can be used to form a groove on the screw head. An ordinary saw may do the job as well.

Create a flat head screwdriver groove and insert it into the aperture. Continue twisting until the screw comes out.

Method 5: Modify the Bare Allen Screw Indentation

The second step includes refinishing the damaged Allen screw head. But not this time.

Get a screwdriver that is bigger than the tool needed to remove the stripped screw. Hammer the screwdriver over the fastener’s head. Don’t whack the screwdriver. Just strike it hard enough to imprint the screw head.

This new indentation will help you engage the stripped screw. Also, pound the screwdriver again to tighten its grip on the stripped screw.

Method 6: Use a Screw Remover Kit

Finally, a screw extractor kit may extract the stripped Allen screw. Many commonly available screw extraction kits are drill-compatible.

The manufacturer will generally specify how to operate the extractor. Usually, you’ll need to make an indentation using the supplied drill bit. The opposite end of the bit may be used to withdraw the Allen screw.

2. Remove a Stripped Allen Bolt

Listed below are many methods for removing a stripped Allen screw:

Pliers

If the fastener’s head is exposed and not likely to break, utilize this approach. Then use locking pliers to grip the screw head tightly. Securing the screw with pliers may damage the head. It is then possible to remove the screw head using your fingers.

Change the Drive Style

Using this method, indent the screw head. Select a driver comparable in design and size to the original but somewhat more significant. Then tap the screwdriver into the head of the screw. This will dent the driver and increase screw engagement.

You simply need to tap firmly enough just to engage the driver and damage the fastener’s head. Then slowly release the pressure. You can apply this procedure with a more prominent driver type if you have a badly stripped thread.

Flat Head

This method works well if the screw head is accessible and undamaged. a Dremel rotary tool with a cutting wheel, a file, or a saw. Once the groove is deep, remove the screw with a regular flat head screwdriver. Remove the screw carefully and firmly with the screwdriver. This technique irreversibly damages the screw head.

How To Remove A Stripped Hex Screw And Bolt

1. Remove A Stripped Hex Screw

Using a Screw

The approach helps you reposition the screw for easy removal. Here are the steps to follow:

• Cut the hex bolt head.
• Cut the head with a rotary tool and a cutting wheel.
• Use a flathead screwdriver to spin the cut bolt. After a few revolutions, the bolt should pop.
• Remember to keep the rotary tool near to the bolt head. Utilize a drill and an excavator of the same size. Drill a hole in the bolt’s middle.
• Using an excavator, insert the tool’s bit into the hole. Place the bit carefully into the hole, keeping it straight.
• Rotate the bit clockwise now.
• Before beginning, lube the bolt.

Using a Grinding Disk and a Screw Driver Method

CAVEAT: One disadvantage of this approach is that removing the stripped screw without damaging it is difficult.

When utilizing this approach, be careful not to over-press the revolving cutting disk and break the screw. The stages for this approach are:

Using a cutting disk, create a tiny hole large sufficient for the head of the screwdriver to slide in the stripped hex bolt head.

Stainless hex screws or nuts are more difficult to remove. Use a cutting disk. Precautions must be taken since dust from the disk might cause health issues.

Use a Torx and an Extension. The torx features a star-shaped screw head with six points. The torx bit should be larger than the screw hole. Use a hammer or something similar to tap the screw and position the torx in the proper location to remove it.

Screw Extractor Use

• Hammer a hole in the middle of the screw. When turning the extractor, be careful since uneven pressure might cause the extractor to break.
• Gripping as firmly as you can help you remove the hex screw considerably easier. With a good grasp, you can remove the stripped screw with minimal stress
• If your screwdriver slides during this operation, use a broad rubber band or steel wool to assist you in maintaining it steady.

2. Remove A Stripped Hex Bolt

A stripped hex bolt typically delays a task. You may have encountered this issue and spent hours attempting to resolve it. Continue reading to learn how to remove a stripped hex bolt.

• Precautions

This task does not require complex equipment. But it is prudent to take appropriate safety precautions. Always wear your work gloves. Safety goggles are also helpful.

•  Hex Driver

A hex driver is required to extract a stripped hex bolt. Remember to examine the stripped hex bolt’s head. The driver should be one size larger.

• Use Driver

This phase teaches how to utilize the driver. Attach it to the hex bolt head. Release the hex bolt using the driver. The larger driver helps remove the torn hex bolt.

• The Screw Method

One way to remove a stripped hex bolt is described above. A stripped hex bolt can also be turned into a screw. This will help you eliminate it.

• Cut the Head

A deep cut is required on the hex bolt head. Use a rotary tool and a cutting wheel for this.

•  Screwdriver

Get a flat-headed screwdriver. Turn the screwdriver on the cut made in Step 5. A sequence of rotations will release the bolt.

• Cut the Head

Cut off the bolt’s head to remove it. This requires a rotary tool. An excavator will also help.

• Position

Close up of the rotary tool to the hex bolt head. Get the exact size drill bit and excavator. Now drill the bolt’s middle hole.

•  Excavator

Insert the excavator bit into the hole drilled in Step 8. Introduce the bit softly and straight. The excavator bit will shatter if moved sideways.

• Turn Clockwise

Turn the bit clockwise after it has fully pierced the hole. The hex bolt will then break free of its hold.

• Lubricate

Before removing the bolt, grease it. Lubricating the bolt will make treading it out easier.

• Machine

If you have additional cash, you may get one of those semi-automatic tools for removing stripped bolts. This requires heating the bolt’s head and stripping the end using a machine.

How To Remove A Stripped Torx Screw And Bolt

1. Remove a stripped Torx screw

• Check your Torx driver’s tip for wear or rounding. Cheap tools deteriorate quickly. Remove the worn tip to make it fresh.
• Turn the screw head at 90 degrees while pushing down. A few degrees from 90 while rotating the screw will cause it to leap out of the hole and round the driver’s tip.
• To loosen the screw, turn it counterclockwise with a center punch. Remove as usual. Some had to do this a hundred times as a tool and die maker when screws seized. Pause and think before tightening a screw.

When working with tight screws, use an impact driver. No, not the ones that float in the air. The old-fashioned kind that you pounded with a hammer. As they spin, they press down on the ground, allowing a pop out a little probable.

2. Remove a stripped Torx bolt

Using vice grips around the exterior of a socket head is likely the easiest. It may be necessary to drill out the countersunk head or cut a straight groove in it with a Dremel tool, then utilize an impact driver to remove it, provided the impact does not dent the roof, etc.

Try wetting the threads in penetration oil before trying again. It might also assist in tightening the bolt first to break the rust before loosening.

The first choice on an impact is the Torx bit. Then drill out the head, remove the component it retained, then remove the remaining fastener with vice grips. Another helpful tip is ATF/Acetone penetrant.

Easiest Way:

How To Remove A Stripped Screw From A Shower Faucet

• Cobalt Drill Bit

This job usually requires two or three tools. The third (a screw extractor) is optional but can make the last step easier. A drill and a cobalt drill bit are required.

Put that cobalt drill bit in your drill. The bit should be just large enough to pass into the screw’s head slot. 99% of the time, the set screw is an Allen or Phillips head screw. Your cobalt bit must be big enough to fit into the stripped screw head.

• Drill

Assuming that you got the correct cobalt drill bit, drill out the head’s center. Drill through the middle of the head until the bit reaches the base of the screw head. Don’t just torque down; exercise caution and patience.

After the screw head, you will have to switch out parts. Change your cobalt bit with one that fits the screw head’s diameter. The closer to that size, the better.

• Drill the Head

Now it’s time to drill out the stripped screw’s head. Place your drill above the previous hole. Drill the screw head first. This may require a few seconds, so don’t be shocked if it takes longer.

Follow the stripped screw head into the handle’s inner diameter. To avoid overdoing it, proceed softly and patiently. Pull your drill bit from the grip at this point.

• Unscrew the Faucet Handle

You may now be ready to eliminate the handle away from the faucet. Don’t worry if it doesn’t come clean. You may need to wiggle the handle a little to get it loose. The handle might become trapped on the drill slivers.

To remove the faucet from the stripped screw, use locking pliers. The better your grasp on the faucet, the simpler it will be to remove. It’s up to you and your tools.

How To Remove A Stripped Screw From A Laptop

• Screwdriver Size

Stop removing the screw when it starts to peel. Laptop screws are fragile and might easily break. Stop and move to a more considerable screwdriver. The bigger screwdriver may remove the head.

If the bigger screwdriver fails, switch to a flathead. Changing to a simple screwdriver might assist obtain a hold on the head when a screw peels. Change the screwdriver size until it grips and rotates the head.

If this doesn’t work, the screw is probably stripped, and a screwdriver won’t work. An extra grip is needed to spin the screw. A few rotations often expose sufficient of the head to grasp and remove with pliers.

• Pliers

In most laptops, screws are deep and challenging to hold. Precise needle-nose pliers must grasp the screw. To spin the screw to the left, a tiny part of the head should be exposed. Putting one nostril in the slot where the screwdriver typically goes and the other along the edge of the head can work.

To avoid further damage or fracturing of the screw, use light pliers. It’s not as strong as wood or metal screw. Turn the screw with care until it is entirely gone.

• Rubber Bands

A rubber band may fill up the gaps and hold a screwdriver. Cut a rubber band and place it on the screw head. To obtain a hold and twist the screw, push the screwdriver into the screw and spin it. The screwdriver strains the rubber band, improving the screw grip.

This approach may not work if the screw is entirely removed. It’s worth a go and may help release the screw. After loosening the screw, the rest of the task is done with pliers.

• Drill It

This is the final resort. But laptop screws are tiny, and drilling them might irreversibly harm the threads. Drilling requires a drill bit somewhat smaller than the screw size.

Start with a metal bit and drill shallowly. Make a tiny imprint on the screw head. Using a screwdriver, remove the screw. If required, use the rubber band technique. The new divot may help grasp and twist the screw.

If drilling the screw head does not give a grip, gently drill out the screw. To avoid enlarging the screw hole, drilling is seldom required. Remove the screw thoroughly before replacing it.

How To Remove A Stripped Oil Pan Bolt

In the car’s engine compartment, place a container for catching dripping oil. If the oil pan bolt head is damaged, pound a bolt head remover onto the broken oil pan bolt and twist the bolt free with a ratchet of the proper size.

This may either free the bolt from the oil pan, or it may cause the bolt head to break off, having to leave the rest of the bolt stuck in the oil pan after it has been freed. If the bolt is still stuck in the oil pan, use a hand grinder to grind down any jutting components of the bolt sticking out.

The center punch should be used to knock a center point into the residual bolt. The drill and a 1/8-inch metal drill bit should be used to create a pilot hole through the core of the bolt.

Drill no more profound than the total length of the bolt, and maintain the depth of the hole at around 3/4 inch or less. Drill a giant hole into the bolt with the drill and a 3/16-inch drill bit that is slightly larger than the original.

To use a 1/4-inch drill bit, repeat the procedure as before. As you drill, the warmth and vibrations may cause the bolt to come loose and enable the piece to fall out with it.

Make use of your bolt extractor set to select an appropriate-sized straight bolt extractor and place it into the hole you just made. With the hammer, firmly secure the extractor in position and then twist the extractor counter-clockwise to completely remove the rest of the torn oil drain bolt from the engine.

Cheat Guide Chart – Bolts, Screws, Washers, Nuts, Drive Charts

FAQs

How do you know if a screw is stripped?

A stripped screw is one in which the screwdriver has entirely drilled out the head indents. The driver bit of your drill or the tip of your hand screwdriver has nothing to grasp onto anymore.

How do you prevent stripped screws?

It’s vital to avoid stripped screws in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of your home. The great news is that preventing stripped screws is simple.

Start by ensuring you have the proper tools. Check that your screwdrivers and drills match the screws you’re putting or removing.

Avoid using worn-out instruments wherever feasible. Rough tools can only give poor performance. Their poor performance might harm things like screws.

Working cautiously with screws is also advised. You are less likely to harm the screw heads if you are more aware of your actions and more focused.

What Causes a Stripped Screw?

Improper tools cause stripped screws in the first place and human mistakes during the installation process. Some of the reasons that might cause a screw to get stripped are as follows:

• Making use of low-quality tools
• Working too quickly and without sufficient attention
• Screwdrivers are used to turn screws at an angle to the screw shaft.
• Using a screwdriver with an improper size blade.
• Using the wrong-sized drill bit with a power drill is a common occurrence.
• Using a drill bit that is old and worn out
• Overtightening a screw is a dangerous practice.
• Using a screw after it has started to peel is not recommended.