Select a drill bit that is smaller in diameter than the screw or fastener, and secure it to the power drill. You want to create a small indentation in the center of the screw to help guide the drill bit. Tools & MaterialsĪlign the center punch with the center of the stripped or broken screw, and lightly strike it with a hammer. Once you’ve snagged one as an immediate fix (and future repair tool), read on for the guidelines on how to use a screw extractor and save the day. A selection of screw extractors can be found in most hardware stores-whether brick and mortar or online-available in many different sizes to accommodate a wide assortment of screw sizes. When you put it to use, the extractor penetrates a hole punched or drilled in the top of the screw and its reversed threads grab hold so that the screw can be twisted out. While the specific design of this inexpensive implement varies, it most commonly takes the form of a tapered drill bit with a reversed thread. Enter a seasoned DIYer’s go-to tool: a screw extractor. Even worse, the odds of removing the screw decrease each time the screwdriver slips in the slots. Stripped screws commonly occur when you’re dealing with worn or weathered fasteners, such as those found on door hinges, cabinet hinges, and door strike plates. And, once you’ve managed to damage or warp a screw head, it’s almost impossible to get that screw out with a common Phillips-head or flat-blade (slotted) screwdriver. At some point in the never-ending list of do-it-yourself projects, nearly every handy homeowner encounters a stripped screw-and this small obstacle can turn even the most straightforward home improvement project into a drawn-out affair.

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