Stubborn Screw

ThemeOne

Can anyone suggest a way to loosen a stubborn screw please? It's a flat head screw in the wall, which screws into a plastic rawl plug. I've tried repeated spraying with WD40, and also getting the screwdriver in place and tapping with a hammer, but no luck so far.

Grenage

If making the slot larger with a hacksaw and using a bigger screwdriver doesn't do it, you're down to drilling or cutting it out.

getmore4less

Assuming the pug is not spinning in the wall

Try tightening first
Impact driver.
Drill it out

what the plug into?
what is the immediate wall made off.
can you get anything behind the head.

if into something solid,
can protect the wall,
get behind the head,
then a crowbar should rip it out.

LandyAndy

Any or all of the above plus


dig out enough of the wall around the screw head to grip it with mole grips.

DTDfanBoy

A pair of vise grips attached to you screwdriver handle for added leverage is normally a good start

FreeBear

ThemeOne wrote: »

It's a flat head screw in the wall, which screws into a plastic rawl plug. I've tried repeated spraying with WD40

Spraying WD40 on to it will do no good what so ever - The oils will soak in to the plaster and make it (almost) impossible to paint.

Dig it out and patch the hole with filler.

bertiewhite

Before you start digging walls out, you could try drilling a hole into the screw head and then using a screw extractor. They have a square shank & left handed thread that will dig deeper into the hole you've drilled and eventually undo the screw.

You'll need to be able to drill a hole in the screw though, so it depends on how big it is.

LandyAndy

bertiewhite wrote: »

Before you start digging walls out, you could try drilling a hole into the screw head and then using a screw extractor. They have a square shank & left handed thread that will dig deeper into the hole you've drilled and eventually undo the screw.

You'll need to be able to drill a hole in the screw though, so it depends on how big it is.

I think it is easier to dig out a small hole around the screw. It's going to need filling anyway and the OP almost certainly doesn't have a screw extractor nor will they ever need one again, assuming they can use it effectively which is moot.

bertiewhite

LandyAndy wrote: »

I think it is easier to dig out a small hole around the screw. It's going to need filling anyway and the OP almost certainly doesn't have a screw extractor nor will they ever need one again, assuming they can use it effectively which is moot.

Fair do's.

I never thought I'd use mine again but I have and for about a fiver, they were worth having in my workshop.

London50

bertiewhite wrote: »

Fair do's.

I never thought I'd use mine again but I have and for about a fiver, they were worth having in my workshop.

Agreed, I have had a set for over 40 years and although have only needed to use it 3 or 4 times IMO it is the old saying that rings true "better to have and not need than need and not have":)

Ruski

Blimey - over thinking this!

Get a claw hammer and pull the bloody thing out - make good with polyfilla!

Russ