Removing a stripped Phillips screw head

[John_F]

I am trying to change my steaming light during the off-season, but found that one of the screws holding the housing is stripped. I can't get the phillips head to turn the screw. The mast is unstepped so it's sitting on a rack.

Does anyone have any tips on removing a stripped screw? Thanks.

 

[Ross]

I like to use a left hand twist drill bit that is smaller than the root diameter of the screw threads. Sometimes it will back out while I am drilling then I am home free. When I get a hole deep enough for an E-Z out I go that route. If it breaks off I grind the stub smooth and shift the devise a little and drill new holes.

 

[Mike B]

Is it the head of the screw that's buggered or the threads? If it's the head and you can't get the phillps blade to bite try cutting one of the grooves deeper to fit a large flat blade screwdriver. I've used both a hacksaw blade and a dremel tool to make the cut. I use a large blade screwdriver as they get a better bite and also give you a better grip for more torque. You need to cut deep enough to fit the bigger screwdriver but not so deep you weaken the head and risk snapping it off. It's never failed to work for me. Good luck.

 

[ITMaster]

Use a left hand twist bit with an extractor kit. Drill out the center of the screw carefully and try to not break through the wall of the screw and mess up the threads, insert the extractor and carefully back the screw out. Dress up the threads with a tap and you should be ready to go.

Good luck. Too bad you don't have a friend near by that has some machinist skills, this is easy if you know how to do it. If you haven't done it, and you aren't very careful, you can be prepared to have a can of worms opened up and in your lap.

 

[caguy]

I just removed one a week ago doing what Mike B said but I used the small radiac blade from my Drummel tool. If it is ss drilling it can be a pain. If you do drill it try a drill larger than the head, thus removing the head of the screw. When you remove the fixture you should be able to get vise-grips on the shank that is left.

 

[TimCup]

There's a kit out now, called "Grabit"-

I got it for Christmas... it's basically four bits of varying sizes. On one end of each bit is left hand drill bit, the other end is the corresponding sized "easy out" extractor bit. Used them twice and worked as advertised!! The set was about $20.


cup

 

[Steve Dion]

Chances are you will NOT be able to remove the screw without breaking off the head. The screw is probably bonded to the aluminum. Your best bet may be to try the easy out or other device. It will probably totally strip out the head. Once you get the fixture off you can drill and tap the hole.

Once you reapply the screws, be sure to use something like Tef-gel to prevent the galvanic corrosion.

 

[Benny]

Before you get into drilling out the screw try a simple remedy. Get a phillips screwdriver with a sharp point and edges and set it on the screw head and drive it down with a hammer. The impact may create new grooves on the head as well as breaking the lock on the thread. Then try to back it out.

 

[Pops]

A second vote for "grabit". This thing is great. I like it much better than easy outs. I got mine at ACE hardware.