Place the tip of the extractor on the recess and tap lightly to grab the edges with the sharpened flutes.ħ.4. With that drill bit, bore a hole in the center of the drive recess without going too deep.ħ.3. Select the right size fluted extractor to match the screw and a drill bit slightly larger than the extractor’s tip.ħ.2. The spiral and the straight-fluted square extractors should be used with “T-handle or bar type tap wrench” (Figures 5 & 6), while the straight-fluted triangular extractor is much better suited to use with the more common 3-jaws drill chuck.ħ.1. Hardened steel extractors come in different designs but are all tapered with special pointed ends and are tapped into the drilled hole inside the drive recess of the screws so that it can grab a solid hold and not slip while turning counterclockwise. Step 7 - Straight and Spiral Fluted Extractors If at this point the bit simply turns onto itself without any traction on the screw, you can drill the hole deeper but if that fails, you might have to go to the next step. Place the extractor in the drilled recess and apply a steady pressure while slowly rotating the drill to retract the damaged screw.Ħ.5. Turn the bit around inside the drill chuck to expose the extractor end of the bitĦ.4. With the drill in reverse, use the end with the drill bit to make a hole inside the drive recess of the damaged screw, without going in too deep.Ħ.3. Get the right bit for the size of the screw to be removed.Ħ.2. These extractors are available in different sizes and offer a left-handed drill bit at one end that accommodates the extractor size at the other end, but if used carefully can easily work as in steps 5 (Figure 4).Ħ.1. Step 6 - Using the Double-Ended Screw Extractor Bits You can then finish removing it by grabbing the protruding head with pliers or vise grips (step 3.8). Applying pressure on the drill, start the drill on slow speed since all you want is for the cutting edges of the bit to dig in and grab the metal at the bottom of the recess to create the necessary traction to initiate the counterclockwise rotation to rotate the screw-a drill turning too fast will just cut off those edges without gaining traction.ĥ.5. Place the bit in the drive recess and hold the drill firmly so that everything lines up perfectly aligned with the screw.ĥ.4. Set the drill rotation on the reverse and put on safety eyewear.ĥ.3. Choose a proper-sized bit that fits inside the drive recess of the screw and insert firmly in the drill chuck.ĥ.2. They can still drill a hole just as well as a regular bit with the drill in reverse (Figure 3).ĥ.1. These drill bits are very similar to regular drill bits, but on closer inspection, you can see that the spirals are wound counterclockwise as opposed to a regular drill bit. Step 5 - Removing With a Left-Handed Drill Bit You can then try removing the screw with a new screwdriver, a new bit, or at least one that shows minimal wear. The drill bit must be small enough not to further damage the perimeter of the recess. Unless the drive recess is completely stripped of its edges, you can try to drill it with a smaller drill bit to clean out and even deepen the bottom of the recess to allow the screwdriver to reach deeper and get traction.
Once the screw starts moving, you can finish removing it using the tool as a regular screwdriver, or if it’s still too tight, you can grab it with pliers or vise grips. Holding the tool firmly with one hand, drive a few heavy blows with a hammer onto the tool handle until the screw starts turning and coming out.ģ.8. Place the bit directly on the drive recess of the screw with the tool in perfect alignment with the screw.ģ.7. Make sure the piece from which the screw is to be extracted is sitting solidly and will not move.ģ.6. Apply another spray of penetrating oil around the screw head and on the threads if they’re apparent on the underside.ģ.5. Rotate the selector ring on the tool into the right position-counterclockwise for regular threads.ģ.4. Choose the proper bit and insert it into the impact tool.ģ.3.