5 ways to remove one way screws plus hack

[@chrisliddiard725]

The center punch hack is ingenious. Thanks a bunch for sharing. for anyone searching - tiny 'clutch head one way screws' - are used on the older Cooler Master Seidon 120 AIO. It occurred to me that if you had a spot welder you might also be able to weld something to grip and turn the screw head.

[@geoffding]

Thanks Bill. This saved me several hours of intense frustration removing 30 of the bloody things from locks on the windows of a house I've just moved into. The hacksaw method seemed easiest but the screws were recessed and I was feeling lazy so I modified your method by using a Dremel rotary grinding disc to make a screwdriver slot in the screw. would not have thought of this without your inspiration. Thanks again.

[@billshowto]

You’re very welcome 👍👍👍

[@Endgame_01]

Going to the hardware store tomorrow morning for a rotary tool. I hate these devil screws

[@encryptedauto]

This video was incredibly helpful. I genuinely appreciate the fact that you gave multiple options - all of which seem legitimate - as going into a job with only one way to do it is always a recipe for frustration. Thank you.

[@keeblin]

Thank you so much. New house and one of the window openers was busted. I bought a replacement and then realised these screws had been used. Lifesaver.

[@michaelburnham7173]

I never heard of these and bought new license plate bolts, which were these, and bought multiple tools claiming to take these bolts out and none of them worked. Will use these methods. Thank you

[@billshowto]

👍

[@SirGregory]

Thanks mate. Years ago there was an outbreak of car number plate theft in Sydney, so I bought some of these to make it harder for the thief. Now I'm selling the car and I want to keep the plates. Wish me luck. 😉

[@charlesdyal1956]

The center punch idea is genius! Worked a lot easier than I thought. Thanks!

[@timdearborn7192]

You saved me a ton of time. I had to remove 6 of these unmentionable fasteners. WD-40 and using a chisel and hammer to tap counter-clockwise did it for me.

[@hrmyler204]

The fact that you showed five different ways to get these out shows that one-way screws are an excellent invention. No, they do not completely stop thieves (they watch KZbin too) but they slow them down significantly. That said, this is the BEST video on the issue, kudos!

[@ej5364]

Extra credit: use a Dremel with a cutting wheel attachment to cut a slot (like when using the hacksaw) for a flat-head screwdriver. It also works for stripped screw heads! Thanks for the video!

[@djcalle1975]

Bill's a bloody legend. Dude has a solution to everything!

[@billshowto]

You’re welcome 👍

[@LilA-zl6tf]

Had never even heard of this center punch thing.... But it saved my day after I learned about it here. Thanks.

[@miketruong0808]

Thanks Bill. I’ve got them on my awning winders and removing the broken ones been absolute pain because of these screws. Your tips have been very helpful. Thanks!

[@amycatalino3076]

Thank you for posting! And for giving various methods. Had an old storm door I needed to replace that was screwed on with these one way screws - took some time but ultimately was a success!

[@csdiwakardixit]

I ended up in same situation, luckily i have small hand held drinder through which i was able to make a groove which was enough for screw driver to unscrew. Your video helped me to get the idea of what one way screws are.

[@billshowto]

👍👍👍

[@DaveUssell]

I haven't read all the comments so some of this may be duplicated. Your video is pretty comprehensive so i'll only mention things you didn't. a) there are tools specifically designed to remove these. b) when you get to the point of drilling, left hand drill bits can sometimes take it out even before you use the easy out and especially if you've used penetrating oil. c) If you have enough head exposure, clamping the head with a chuck on a drill in reverse does a great job.

[@gekisou]

You dear sir are a god send. Thanks to your video, we were able to get the screw out and fix a problem with our deadlock. Hats off mate.

[@billshowto]

👍

[@raffir7270]

Thanks, these tips did the trick with some hard-to-access one-way screws.

[@KSAalto]

You saved our front door! Thank you! Couldn’t get the deadbolt out to rekey it and this worked so well! Thanks for your knowledge and time!

[@fionaomeara6209]

So grateful Bill. We bought a house and were left without keys to French door patio bolts. With one way screws. I took it really slowly and used your fork trick. Brilliant, Cheers mate.

[@riorococo7267]

Thank you so freakin much! I needed to replace a 30+ yr old deadbolt screwed on with these damn things and had no idea how to get them out. Then I found your vid. I tried the center punch and IT WORKED! Had the deadbolt off in 30 min (with a couple bloody knuckles from my hand slipping). Would never had thought of that in a million years. Thank you ❤️

[@billshowto]

👍👍👍

[@dorisbarreto347]

Thank you so much for your illustration. It did help a ton. Great tips...

[@Rawrger]

The center punch and chisel helped me out thanks! I had recessed security screws on my fuel cap.

[@allanhutton]

INDEX OF OPTIONS 1. Pliers 1:18 2. Chisel 1:56 3. Hacksaw 2:33 4. center punch 3:20 5. Screw remover/Easy Out 4:47 Hack 6. Household fork 5:56

[@billshowto]

👍

[@theoneroutsos4577]

Billshowto out of all options whats your best method for this ?

[@pauleohl]

Household fork is a wet dream.

[@michaelhansen7562]

Used the Dremel wheel down the center instead of hacksaw + Chisel today. Thanks! Saved me a ton of time.

[@st_lusse]

Thanks for the advice. I ended up grabbing a grinder with a cutting disc to make the slits for the screwdriver... worked like a charm.

[@billshowto]

Perfect 👍

[@atteroljones6936]

@@billshowto Yes, a Dremel.

[@paulg6340]

Legend, gives me some great options to get these bloody things out.

[@randomstuff5956]

Worked, thanks! The screws that were on my computer were previously 'security screws' which are intentionally made one-way so that you couldn't take it apart for some reason. Really weird, already ordered the replacement normal screws.

[@anivijudi]

Thank you! My windows have had these to stop them from opening since I moved in and it’s been driving me crazy that they only open a couple of inches. I can finally get some air in here.

[@chrisburns6289]

The chisel did the trick - thank for making the video.

[@atteroljones6936]

Just today, JUST TODAY, I unwittingly bought a four pack of these screws (#8-32x1") at The Home Depot. Thank goodness for this video.

[@barrymoore8820]

Perfect, just used the spring centre punch method, worked a treat, thanks 👍

[@billshowto]

You’re welcome 👍

[@unknownsamoan01]

You just saved me bro🙌🏾👊🏾✊🏾 just brought door lock from Bunnings and installed not knowing these dumb screws existed (of course like most men didn’t read instructions 🙄😂) got screws out. 🙌🏾👍🏾

[@djshaunreed8215]

i used to chisel method and it worked perfectly! thankyou!

[@billshowto]

You’re welcome 👍

[@clculver6595]

thank you Bill, your center punch trick was all I needed.

[@yoniabrams9456]

Thank you. The center punch worked like a charm.

[@davidsavageau1815]

Got it! I appreciate the rapid-fire patter.

[@Saetun.]

You are the man, chisel worked like a charm.

[@davidchaffin4437]

Thank you for your video. I just used a grinder to add slots into the very large lag heads and the came right out with a screw driver.

[@chrishalford2488]

Thanks for the tips. I put these on my new car’s license plate in front and the bracket it was mounted to came off in a hit and run when my wife was in a store. Now I have to take plate off to reinstall the mounting bracket to the bumper!! Again thanks will update with what I did to back the screws off.

[@sohobooksunlimited]

This dude is brilliant, hence, his smile of confidence!

[@billshowto]

👍

[@notjakl5121]

Hey nice tips. But some of those are easily twisted. So grab a pair of vice grips for half of these and youll be good. The problem comes when it’s pretty tight in which case a dremel or hacksaw to make a flat head slot to turn works great. All of these are situational, so the more tools the better :) you know what you’re doing

[@aidanmoyse8389]

Just used the “centre punch” method. Worked well. $20 centre punch from Bunnings. 👍👍

[@billshowto]

👍👍👍

[@MikeDyerCSC]

The center punch trick was very cool. Worked for me - recessed screws in plastic

[@AL-nt3zy]

Thanks mate, came across your vid after a key was snapped in the lock at my old mans place and I had to dismantle the lock. The chisel method did the job.

[@indefence7214]

Bill mate, you're a genius! I always learn so much from your channel, so much so that I leave a thumbs up even before watching! 😉 Thanks for sharing your awesome knowledge with us. Take care, Steve. 👍👍

[@HandyMarcus]

Thank you so much Bill. Saved my ass today on a job!!

[@billshowto]

You’re very welcome 👍👍👍

[@Tamarinera23]

I lovelovelove the fork hack! My screw is up against a wooden door frame, so no room for the hacksaw or even a vice grip. I'll try the chisel and next, the fork!

[@HIblue187]

Great ideas for removing the one-way screws. I would suggest you use a metal chisel for removal instead of ruining a wood chisel. But, to each his own. Keep up the good work!!!

[@67tr876]

Dude !!! You saved my day and are my hero. Thank you for this video. Seriously helped me out with getting old window guards out.

[@JLH1020]

many great tips. Exactly what I needed. Thank you.

[@asuiko]

Such useful things to know. Thank you!

[@billshowto]

You’re welcome 👍

[@sherripeterson6788]

Thank you I was feeling scared as I put in a😮 screw, not realizing what it was, into an expensive deadbolt which caught on 1 side only. Now I'm off to try the fork and chisel technique. Fingers crossed

[@kristinashley3536]

thanks Bill...........great solutions!!

[@Letsroll000]

I just bought a security storm door that came with these. I agree, terrible design and will not be using them. but my curiosity got me and wondered what methods were out there to extract them.

[@madoladi]

All my windows have these screws😤. Great ways to remove. I used reverse screw method. Thanks, The Aussie Tool Girl.

[@billshowto]

👍

[@literallyshaking8019]

This was fantastic.

[@Doris-y5v]

That is a brilliant idea the fork!!!!

[@KenJames9911]

BRILLIANT!

[@everythinginfullspectrum8625]

Thank you! Sir. Finally found a video that helped me open that bastard! Just had to punch it at the right place, I even bought a security-screw opener set with no success. Great video. I will subscribe!

[@tedridgway5910]

Frigging awesome. Thank you.

[@deanhough8993]

Damn dude, you're clever!!! Excellent info and very good presentation! Thanks!!!

[@rrome6178]

Unfortunately they still do sell those screws! I knew it said one way but I thought, eh I’m sure I can get that out - till I couldn’t - I’m not stubborn at all, lol. So thank you for tips, I will proceed to try them all!

[@BMF123321]

i used a dremel 3000 (extented version for more room) with grind metal round disk..make a straight cut ....after that i used a normal flat screwdriver... perfect! did 30 screws in hour!

[@thomo74]

Great vid mate 👍

[@billshowto]

👍

[@brothernorb8586]

I think the music drilled a hole through my eardrums but I also think the hacksaw will work. Thank you, I think.

[@dragonsKeeper210]

Imagine having new plates for a car and then seeing these...

[@x_Toni_x]

This is me today 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@NBTRP]

Me haha

[@AbroadinChina]

Shanghai has these for car plates... annoying as F

[@DamienAustinn]

It's 10 minutes to midnight, and my grandmother just told me that her car is going to wreckers early tomorrow morning, two of these fuckers on the front number plate

[@shuaibshariffdeen7957]

And this is me today. Worse bloody screw ever

[@alenajanova308]

Hi Bill, do you have any tips on how to turn the one way screw? They are used on fire alarm systems such as the pull stations and I need to twist them to open them. They are worn out. I use a flat but even then it's difficult to open. They are below the edge of the device. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[@AskJoeTaylor]

They still make them because businesses use them to stop vandalism by backing out the screws

[@doctorone1028]

LOL I got one in a plug strip, so someone is probably hiding some treasure in it?

[@joeragusa8659]

Yeah its called a SECURITY screw for a reason.

[@neilhoogendoorn8045]

They have better designed ones now but you have to have special adapters that you can only buy at any hardware store.

[@IWBVS]

Some good ideas. Someone decided to use these to lock up the breakers in every subpanel we have in a multi family building. A 3-minute job turned into 30 minutes.

[@2wise4u2]

Thank you! This is a lifesaver. I hate these screws!

[@billshowto]

👍

[@andysaveage5781]

Hey brother thanks a bunch! This video spared me a huge headache and salvaged my summer! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@billshowto]

👍

[@maxheadroom4951]

Great suggestions. Hopefully will work for me

[@durabelle]

Thanks for this! Was just considering getting a combination bolt that comes with these one way screws. It doesn't need to be super safe since it will only be in short-time use to give garden access for deliveries etc., but still thinking these might be a better choice than using normal screws on the outside of the gate. Just wanted to make sure I can remove them without damaging the gate if I change my mind later 😆

[@durabelle]

Although it looks annoying enough that maybe I'll replace at least a couple of the 6 with normal ones.

[@linco222]

lifesaver mate!!!

[@linco222]

damn, the chisel did not work for my screw..

[@freechain]

My God, how did i not work this out myself. So simple after you watch the video.

[@davidia8000]

Awrsome, thanks mate!

[@kocnn]

This is great! The chisel worked for me.

[@ernesttorrez764]

That was great brother! Sure will use them. Thanks

[@patricianutter8886]

I have to remove some window bars so I can replace the windows, but the screws are welded. Whats the best way to remove theses screws? Cheers

[@nathanking2484]

Thanks mate, much appreciated

[@mtaylor3771]

Some great suggestions!

[@j073phh]

What about the plastic ones that you find on numberplates?

[@KrotowX]

Any idea how to remove these suckers from holes? Have an outdoor extender cord with a socket box locked with 6 screws with exactly these heads inside 1.5 cm deep cylindric holes. Can't modify screw head without breaking the box. Have no thin center punch around too. What I must do - drill the screw head out?

[@natemansur]

These are actually the greatest invention ever if used in the proper application. They are designed as tamper proof for areas that someone might steal something or vandalize. They are not for household use and if you have these in your home fire who ever installed them

[@zog97xy]

They are designed for number plates to stop them being stolen.

[@台湾政治]

Hey Bill great video!!! & Thanks so much for sharing. We have the same issue but tried 4 different metal drill bits couldn't drill the holes in the stripped screw heads to use the screw extractor & it doesn't have enough to grip on to use the plier

[@mavenfeliciano1710]

I had to remove these screws once in a Goodwill bathroom job, and I was able to just use a regular slotted (flathead) screwdriver. There's a trick. Slow and good pressure.

[@Doris-y5v]

very smart WOW!!!!!! FORK!!!! BRILLIANT.

[@jodavies7250]

Thank you!! The center punch and WD-40 was a bit of work but I got there in the end!

[@pablosanfabio3040]

Thanks for the inspiration little tap on the curved edge with a flat head then brute force the flat head like the chisel method was so surprised when it started turning

[@Smk202020]

Wow, this is brilliant!

[@TheMaekolo70]

Cheers Bill...love ur work. Was like a deer with no eyes. Thanks heaps & thanks for saving me $$$$ - cheers 🍺

[@alecharper515]

Thanks, mate! There is a special Hell for the inventor of this godawful screw...! (Islesboro, Maine)

[@petestrycharske7773]

The automatic center punch worked beautifully! Thanks for the tip! Also I agree, one of the worst inventions ever... :)

[@billshowto]

👍

[@richieroorichieroo]

This worked. Thanks!

[@gerritjongkind8538]

Very helpfull. Thanks!

[@6strings735]

Many thanks, going to try this out before I resort to an angle grinder. Stupid one-way screws.

[@hankwaddingham5025]

brilliant.just changed my car and have to fix a new plate to my folding camper ,the number plate that is on it has security screws.i will never use them again.cheers

[@noynayru]

living in Christchurch NZ I NEED these things or else I'll keep getting my plates stolen. Very useful video tho, making sure I can remove them before I install them on my car

[@KC-cz8pp]

Cheers cobber. 👍🏼