screw that won't unscrew-argh!

oochiepoochie

I've got a horrible shower screen on the bath and I've decided it's got to go. One of the screws that holds the glass in its bracket won't undo. It doesn't look rusted but I just can't get the screwdriver to turn it, all it's doing is rounding it off.

So now I'm stuck. The screws that hold the metal part of the screen to the wall can't be accessed with the glass in situ. The screw is flush so I can't get a pliers to it. Any tips please on how to proceed?

Thanks

Ruski

Drill the head off

HTH

Russ

Browntoa

vote 2 for drill it out , you should tthen may be able to get pliers on to remove the rest

Ruski

You don't need to get the rest of the screw off - once the head is off then the glass will seperate from the wall channel.

HTH

Russ

Willowpop

I have got screws out that have rounded off by putting an elastic band between the screwdriver and the screw head. The rubber band seems to find some grip sometimes.

JohnB47

You could try screwing it in - just a fraction. That could break it's grip, then try unscrewing it again. Also, sometimes a flat headed screwdriver will get a better purchase, if it's a philips headed screw.

Stooby2

Can you break the screen off around the screw, then once it's out of the way get some pliers/mole grips on the screw?

oochiepoochie

Okay, so I tried a flat head screwdriver and snapped the head off it-oops! I'll snaffle an elastic band from work tomorrow and have another go. Failing that, I'll borrow my dad's drill and have a go with that. Do I just drill straight down onto the screw head or at an angle, please?

Sorry- so many questions but I'm so rubbish at DIY! Thanks again :-)

mart.vader

oochiepoochie wrote: »

Okay, so I tried a flat head screwdriver and snapped the head off it-oops! I'll snaffle an elastic band from work tomorrow and have another go. Failing that, I'll borrow my dad's drill and have a go with that. Do I just drill straight down onto the screw head or at an angle, please?

Sorry- so many questions but I'm so rubbish at DIY! Thanks again :-)

When drilling, choose a suitable size drill bit, so that it removes the head, then the shower screen should pull off. Small mole grips are useful for grabbing hold of what's left, then unscrew.

You need to nick a rubber band from work ? Just follow your postman around and pick up the ones he drops !

oochiepoochie

mart.vader wrote: »

When drilling, choose a suitable size drill bit, so that it removes the head, then the shower screen should pull off. Small mole grips are useful for grabbing hold of what's left, then unscrew.

Okay, so a drill bit that's a bit bigger than the thready bit of the screw maybe? Better get some eye protection ready and a first aider on standby...

I've got an awful lot of stuff on my to-do list for my 'day off' now, I'll be glad to go back to work for a rest...

Ta

Ruski

If youve snapped the head off already, the screen should now pull away from the channel. Can you post a pic??

Russ