Removing screw with no head

mutley74

Hi
I need to remove a screw from the plate on a door catch cover.
Two small screws are in approx 4mm, but both heads have been worn out completely.
I have tried using a rubber band and some pressure, no luck.

I look at an extractor kit from Screwfix but it seems to big for the screw and not sure how to use it (as it was one side end only).
I can get pliers or a grip on the screw as its seated into the plate screw holes flush.
Any tips welcome.

lol_omg_wtf

drill the head off

mutley74

lol_omg_!!!!!! wrote: »

drill the head off

if i do this, how i can refix the plate back in position (it just needs a minor alteration) to allow the door to catch it.

SailorSam

If you drill it like L-O-W says you'll be able to lift the plate away, and you maybe able to get small stiltsons on what's left of the screws, or saw a new head on it.

lol_omg_wtf

hmm well at that point you may be able to get some grips on whats left, after removing the plate.

If not you could drill 2 more holes in the plate, then with a larger drill bit countersink them yourself.

a picture may generate more ideas?

mutley74

lol_omg_!!!!!! wrote: »

a picture may generate more ideas?

no idea how to post photos

Terry98

mutley74 wrote: »

no idea how to post photos

https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=opera&q=moneysaving+expert+how+to+post+a+photo+on+the+forums&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=moneysavingexpert+how+to+post+a+photo+on+the+forums+site:forums.moneysavingexpert.com

mutley74

yesterday i put on some titanium drill bits and tried drilling through the screw. It would not drill through it but seemed to be melting the head! After a few minutes alternating drill bit size and between the screws, i could see most of the head worn off. Managed to pull the plate off to refix a new one. Thanks for the tips, hoping theres an easier way next time to remove worn worn screws.

stator

I've done a few knackered screws. IF the extractor kit doesn't work (usually doesn't) you can use a dremmel to cut a slot into the top of the screw head, or if the head has some off you can cut a slot into the screw shaft underneath. Works perfectly

spannerzone

I bought some Ezgrip paste on ebay a while ago which works well on worn out screw heads and nuts. It's a gritty oily paste which does seem to give a decent grip even on very rounded nuts or worn screw heads.

I had one of those security wheel nut locks go bad and this stuff helped get the wheel nut off.

mutley74

i was going to buy this but not sure how to use it. A you tube video i saw had a different type of kit in use, with two ended headed.