Screw stuck in chair

Kiran

Is the problem Tha the screwdriver slips out of the he's or just Tha it will not turn? If its Tha it doesn't turn then if you can get a hex shaft screwdriver you can attach mole grips to the shaft at 90 degrees and it gives you a lever and therefore more turning force.

martinthebandit

If that's the only screw that's stuck and you have taken all the others out try turning the piece of wood along with the screw.


......and remember, if brute force doesn't work you are not using enough of it

Annie1960

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Alternately refurbish the chairs without taking them apart.

This was my next thought! I've taken most of it apart, but I probably don't really need to, so thanks!

Annie1960

Kiran wrote: »

Is the problem Tha the screwdriver slips out of the he's or just Tha it will not turn? If its Tha it doesn't turn then if you can get a hex shaft screwdriver you can attach mole grips to the shaft at 90 degrees and it gives you a lever and therefore more turning force.

I've tried the screwdriver so many times that the phillips grooves in the top of the screw have been damages, and are virtually circular now rather than the cross-head shape they should be.

Annie1960

martinthebandit wrote: »

If that's the only screw that's stuck and you have taken all the others out try turning the piece of wood along with the screw.


......and remember, if brute force doesn't work you are not using enough of it

Thanks, I tried that last night in frustration!

Then decided the piece of wood might not really need to come off, so I should clean up the wood, paint the bits I've taken apart, and put it back together again leaving this piece of wood in place.

Annie1960

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I also found a suggestion to try using wire wool and a rubber band between the screw and screwdriver. I tried both of these (not together, separately!), but it still didn't work. I think the screw is stuck with rust, as the others were rusty when I took them out.

I bought some nice shiny new screws yesterday, so will paint the chair and put the rest of it back together, then I can put the new upholstery fabric on.

One down, five to go!

London50

Thank you for the update, just sorry that the advise this time did not sort out your problem but at least we tried :0)

Rain_Shadow

It can sometimes work to turn the screw the other way (tighten) first.


You could also drive a flat head screwdriver into the top of the screw, aligned with two of the, damaged Philips slots.

getmore4less

That was going to be my suggestions

if any others feel a bit stiff tighten them first to break the seal.
If you do damage it is less critical to the head of the screw.

an impact driver can work securing the item may not be easy.

If you have damaged a screw you probably need a new driver bit now as the the one you used will be damaged.

googler

Use a metal drill to drill out two grooves on opposite points of the cross head, such that a flat blade screwdriver will fit.

in combination with

Use a metal drill bit in the centre of the screw, and basically drill out the centre of the screw in stages - start with smallest bit possible, working your way up

You'll reach a point where the remainder of the screw will, due to the centre removal, almost collapse in on itself, and turn freely.