How to Remove a Stripped Screw

Referenced links:
1. Dewalt screwdriver bits for your drill: geni.us/g6MdF6I (Amazon)
2. Screw Extractor set used: geni.us/qCvLLcT (Amazon)
3. Other good Screw Extractor options: geni.us/9VOylZ (Amazon) or geni.us/f2UHcME (Amazon)
4. Dewalt drill used in video: geni.us/In6xb (Amazon)
Need to figure out how to remove a stripped screw? Stripped Screw removal can be very challenging. Learn how to unscrew a stripped screw from any location with two easy methods.
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#ReluctantDIYers #StrippedScrew #DIYTutorials
Music Credits:
Trust Me (instrumental) by RYYZN / ryyzn
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/trust-me-instrumental
Music promoted by Audio Library • Trust Me (instrumental...
Video Time Codes:
00:00 - Intro
00:38 - Tip 1
00:54 - Tip 2
01:40 - First method to remove a stripped screw
03:20 - Second method to remove a stripped screw
06:16 - Close

[@marclucenius6362]

Those are great tips. I never would have known. Great video too!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@samanthaj1979]

This works! I tried the elastic band trick and worked things slowly (had 3 screws to remove). New subscriber now and I am a very happy camper. I did not have the muscle strength and this was a game changer. Kind Wishes 🙏🏻

[@ReluctantDIYers]

EXCELLENT!!! I’m so happy this was helpful! 👍🏼👍🏼 Thanks for subscribing! That truly means a lot to me.

[@Jbiglin]

Great info!. I’ll now be able to work through a stripped screw without being totally frustrated. Definitely agree with your Tip to buy high quality screws and throw out the cheap ones that come with any purchased item.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Thanks for watching J Biggs! I’m really glad you found this helpful. Sometimes the hardware is the biggest difference maker.

[@thefitgamerdad6103]

Hey Lew! I love your energy! That’s a brilliant hack too

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Thanks TFGD!

[@markhenderson3771]

This is especially helpful because the screws that we put in to mount the plywood on the particle board are stripped now (the bit was too small, just like you said in this video).

[@ReluctantDIYers]

I’m happy this was helpful!

[@smokingunclefrank6037]

Haven't tried it yet but as soon as I gea replacement screw I'll see thanks for the tips

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Awesome! You’re so welcome!

[@brianp2623]

The rubberband trick worked perfectly for a stripped hex bolt on my motorcycle seat rack!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

That’s awesome!!!! Thank you for sharing! 👍👍

[@warren183]

What if it's stripped and remains tight/ lodged? How would you loosen the screw?

[@ReluctantDIYers]

In the video description I believe I placed a link for a flute style screw extractor. That’s usually the best for that situation.

[@jimmysalgado5237]

Good job watch the whole video you go girl you do it yourself

[@ReluctantDIYers]

👍🏼

[@bijustephen9544]

This was very helpful

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Fantastic! I’m so happy this helped!

[@mlnags2829]

Thank you. Mary

[@ReluctantDIYers]

You’re welcome! Thx for watching!

[@jamesberry4751]

Beautiful!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Thanks!

[@geraldinechapman6727]

Thank you, greatly appreciated! xo

[@ReluctantDIYers]

You’re so welcome! Thanks for watching 👍🏼👍🏼

[@SeanHackbarth20]

Great tip about the extractor kit. My only question: how do you then remove the stripped screw from the extractor end? It's on there pretty good!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Thanks Sean! My advice… hit it man… LOL! Honestly though, sometimes it does get stuck.

[@SeanHackbarth20]

@@ReluctantDIYers thx for the advice! (Late night power tool use leads to brain farts LOL!) Got it with a reverse twist 👍. Keep up the great content, man!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@SeanHackbarth20 AWESOME!! Thx man!

[@roccopersico3162]

What if the head has been sheared off flush with the wood? In my case, the screw snapped off of a screw that holds a tubular foot rest on a bar stool. The broken shaft is in the leg of the stool so I am not sure if it is ok to use a hole saw to extract it and repair it with a dowel. I would rather tap it and use the extractor tool if possible so I do not compromise the strength of the leg. What do you recommend?

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Hey Rocco! I’m so sorry I missed your comment yesterday. This is a tough one and it all depends on the size of the screw that’s stuck in the stool. If the circumference of the screw is big enough to take the extractor but, I would try that first. If not, you could also drill it out, which is a pain. The hole saw is an option as long as you think you can repair the wood. That might require an epoxy putty to give strength. I hope this is helpful. This is definitely a tough one.

[@skygh]

Replying to a stale post but WoodRiver makes small reverse hole saws that fit over the screw. I remove sheared hinge screws with them often. Using the 3/8 O.D. size we keep dowel on hand to fill the hole then start over. Use with care they are thin and fragile. Drill a 3/8 hole in thin scrap wood to use to guide the bit if needed. Easy to find online

[@brianc4341]

I was using a screwdriver bit to remove a shower faucet handle in order to change out the valve, when the screwdriver bit broke, jamming the tip of the bit in the screw. The screw is recessed into the faucet handle, so there is no working room around the screw. Will the Easy-Out be able to drill/burnish through the broken screwdriver bit? I think the metal in the screwdriver bit is quite a bit harder than the metal of the screw so I don't know if the Easy Out can make any headway through the bit. Any advice on how to get the screw out? (Besides not using cheap Husky screwdriver bits anymore)?

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Oh man Brian, that’s a tough one. I’m not sure if the extractor will work on that broken but. Have you tried drilling into the bit, screwing a screw into it and pulling with pliers? I’m not even sure if that will work if it’s recessed. Just thinking out loud…

[@brianc4341]

@@ReluctantDIYers Is it possible to drill into a screwdriver bit? I actually bought a screw extractor pliers, but because the screw is recessing inside the **metal** faucet handle, there is just not enough room for the pliers to get close to the screw. If the handle was plastic, I could cut the handle away from the screw, so that the screw is no longer recessed, but alas, cutting metal is a much harder task.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@brianc4341 This is a new one for me. If anyone else has thoughts, please share.

[@jujitusuka]

Rubber band tip absolutely *does not work* there are countless videos on YT advising the same *all rubbish*

[@ReluctantDIYers]

I’m sorry you feel that way. I’ve used it countless times with great success.

[@qTravis666]

U gotta use the thick ones

[@rosemarymelling6030]

The screws i am trying to remove are deeply embedded into the bottom of my Nutri bullet smoothie maker. Also the area is plastic and I can’t damage the base. I managed to get two out but the other two won’t budge.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Because of the plastic base, you can’t really get super forceful with those blenders. I would even hesitate to use a screw extractor on it. Might be time for a new NutriBullet if you have to take the screws out. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@areeko]

OMG Great video. Amazing bar raising editing skills! I did come here to extract a screw. I can't wait for your You Tube video editing tutorials!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

It was my first KZbin video… I had no clue what I was doing…

[@areeko]

@@ReluctantDIYers too funny!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@areeko LOLOL!! Check out a recent video.. way better than the first. (But still improving) Have a great night!

[@CrowdPleeza]

If your drill can reverse, then can you just use a regular drill bit in reverse to turn the stripped screw loose?

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Unfortunately no.

[@CrowdPleeza]

@@ReluctantDIYers A worker at Lowe's suggested I try that.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@CrowdPleeza Interesting. Without the proper threading I’m not sure how that will work. But please let me know if it does work. 👍🏼

[@wally1957]

Just thought I would add that I purchased every product available to remove stubborn screws and nothing worked. I was removing gutter rails on RV and all the screws were stuck, frozen, would not budge. After spending a couple hundred bucks on various products that didn't work I then proceeded to grind the head off every screw. This was around 50 screws and took all day but there was no other way. I was replacing the entire RV roof and the gutter rails had to come off.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

I’m so sorry to hear that… but thank you so much for sharing!

[@markhenderson3771]

I especially liked the kids cheering in the background after you removed the screw. That didn't happen for me.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

I pay them to follow me and cheer when things go well.

[@davidchurch3472]

Here's another tip : use single layer of rubber band, better fitting bit, and hand-turn the screwdriver out, don't use an electric drill-driver

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Thanks for sharing!

[@greggbisgrove7499]

When did hardware replace tools ????

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Eh?

[@deni28kali]

Yes but what about very small screws that are on car keys that are tiny?

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Oh yikes! I’ve never dealt with that scenario before… hmmmmmmm. Maybe duct tape (a small piece)?

[@deni28kali]

@@ReluctantDIYers I just ordered a very good set of tool for those applications from Temu, 22 piece set for 13.50au $ and hopefully it will do the job. Have taken the key to a few places but they just made the tiny screw worse, as it’s also recessed in the plastic around it. Thank you for your reply.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@deni28kali I would love to hear if this tool set helps once you receive it.

[@deni28kali]

@@ReluctantDIYers I will let you know, it should be here in a couple of weeks. I can send you the link to see it if you like.

[@azolivas]

I’ve tried everything and have just accepted the fact i will never get these screws out.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

I’m so sorry to hear that you’re struggling with your screws. There are some other options… have you tried pliers?

[@valhallanator]

DAP Tank Bond and I’m not kidding.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Really? What a great idea! So you just fill the screw head and then push the drill or screwdriver in?

[@valhallanator]

Yeppers. Tank Bond Liquid Grip. 6 or 7 bucks for a tube that’ll probably last forever.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@valhallanator I’m absolutely going to try this! Thanks for sharing 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@valhallanator]

We’re all in this together. Thanks for your vids!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@valhallanator I agree completely. 😁 Thanks for watching!

[@emilys.d.7834]

What would I do if the stripped screw is in a bathtub drain cover.. and the drain is clogged, not draining. What do I do?

[@emilys.d.7834]

Someone please 🙏 help me.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@emilys.d.7834 Is the tub full of water? If so, try to bake the water to a level where you can get access to the screw. Then you can follow the different approaches to see what works. I hope this helps!

[@emilys.d.7834]

@@ReluctantDIYers... The tub is not completely full of water..

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@emilys.d.7834 are you unable to see the screw? Drain covers vary so it’s tough to say one approach will work versus another.

[@emilys.d.7834]

@@ReluctantDIYers.. I'm not really able to see the screw.. ive been trying to get the water out of the tub by bucket method... That part is really tedus

[@diannestansberry]

Love the cheering squad 🤣 I’m going to give this a try. Thanks!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

LOL! Thanks for watching Dianne. I hope this helps.

[@ashleyintheenglishdepartme776]

Use pliers.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

If the screw head is hanging out, yes. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@EthanBrady-uw8xg]

It didn't work 😢

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Oh no… i’m so sorry

[@user-us5cw3eq8y]

Потерял время😢! Из 7 минут 3 секунды вытащил один шуруп - и расхвастался😁. Если бы вместо болтовни вытащил 7х60:3 = 140 шурупов, да разных - и с прямым шлицом, и с крестом - вот тогда и выставлялся народу😠.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

This was my first KZbin video… it’s definitely NOT perfect. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@JackCarlino]

Screw this i give up

[@ReluctantDIYers]

OH NO! Don’t give up!

[@jorgeberruete4537]

I currently have a stripped screw hopefully I can change it it’s for a tv F$ck!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

I hope it works out!

[@mazharimahmood1]

Rubber band doesn’t work at all

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Sometimes it’s definitely not enough to get the screw out.

[@dejohngreen7431]

You need to get to the methods man. Wasted a lot of time with unnecessary talk.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Hey DeJohn thanks for watching, and I agree! This was my first KZbin video and I’ve learned a lot since then. I hope you feel my newer videos are more concise with less jabber. Have a great day!

[@comanche3631]

True, when you’re frustrated, let’s get to the point. But he’ll do better next time after reading these comments. I’m grateful he even tried! ❤

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Sharon, thanks for watching! This was the first video I ever created. It’s way too long. Check out a more recent video to see the new, direct, approach. I should make a new video for this topic.

[@mlnags2829]

Thank you. Some people are in a hurry to learn and are weekend warriors. Some want to know all the pitfalls and do it right for their own satisfaction. You covered both sides. Disclaimer:A person can simply advance the video

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Thanks Mary!

[@ShaniAlexander-gu9jx]

It didn’t really help 😢

[@ReluctantDIYers]

I’m so sorry to hear this. 😢

[@hadiitiniguez2393]

Bottom line. It’s a pain in the neck

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Removing a stripped screw? Definitely! Thx for watching!

[@hadiitiniguez2393]

@@ReluctantDIYers I can see why mechanics charge so much.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@hadiitiniguez2393 Haha!! So true!

[@JP-rw5cd]

Look at the size of this screw , this won’t work on bigger ones

[@ReluctantDIYers]

I’m actually planning another follow up to this later in the summer to address that.

[@JP-rw5cd]

@@ReluctantDIYers I look foward to seeing it ,best of luck !

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@JP-rw5cd thx JP!

[@minipluscreations758]

Didn’t work!

[@ReluctantDIYers]

I’m so sorry to hear that…

[@JadesOfGrey]

This is such bullshit. The screw in the first example is super long and is already 95% out of the hole. I’m trying to remove a tiny little screw that’s still fully in a hole on the end of a game controller. A rubber band doesn’t do jack there.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

I’m sorry you feel this way. The rubber band has worked for me countless times. I’m actually about to make another video with other methods tomorrow.

[@JadesOfGrey]

@@ReluctantDIYers I even tried it again today and the screwdriver poked right through the rubber band and made a hole. Also I feel like most of the people who have stripped screws it’s only slightly stripped so there is still something there to grab on to with the help of a rubber band or glue. I used an electric drill bit and got mad when it wouldn’t unscrew and basically drilled a giant circular hole in the end of the tiny screw head. So now even though I have a whole set of screwdrivers in all sizes and shapes, nothing will fit in and take hold because the entire head of the screw is blown out in a big circle.

[@bryangoat9993]

Why would i need tips to avoid when im seeing this to take it out 😑cus its stuck already

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Just trying to hit all angles…

[@stevenlengyel9701]

DUDE! To much talking ✋🏼

[@ReluctantDIYers]

LOL! I AGREE! That is my first KZbin video… a lot has changed since then. 😂😂

[@wally1957]

Dumb! Your removing a screw that is already loose which is not the case for 99.99 percent of people with stuck, stripped screws. The reason the screw is stripped is because it is a really tight fit. In your case you could see the screw wobble before you tried to remove it.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

Thx for your support Wally! 😁

[@christineblack4654]

lol buy good hardware. What's that???? titanium what????

[@ReluctantDIYers]

LOL!! Go to a hardware store and buy hardware from them. They can recommend items that will not fall apart and strip so easily.

[@christineblack4654]

@@ReluctantDIYers yes thanks.

[@ReluctantDIYers]

@@christineblack4654 👍🏼👍🏼

[@issacharezechias2209]

That's one way to just destroy a rubberband and accomplish nothing else

[@ReluctantDIYers]

HAHAHAHAHA!!! Thx for the feedback.