Help! Stripped screws, but almost all the way in...

[Beartracks]

I've got several screws that, being power-drilled, ended up getting their heads gouged out, and yet they aaaalmost made it all the way in. SO... I'm curious as to how I might get them in the rest of the way, rather than needing to know how to get them out. Any suggestions?

These screws are holding up a handicap bar, so 1) it's essential they be snug, and 2) they don't need to look pretty, since the end cap will cover them up. If they ever DO need to come out, that will likely be a homeowner or two after me.

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[intrepidity]

1. or, take a hacksaw to the part hanging out

if you don't need the head.

[Chainfire]

9. With grab bars, you need all the screws in place and set strongly into the wall

Anything else defeats the purpose.

[Phoenix61]

2. As far as I know, you can't.

There’s also the issue of the integrity of the screw being compromised depending on how big/deep of a hole there is in the head.

[OilemFirchen]

3. If they're Phillips head screws,

I've had success tapping in a Torx head bit of the same size until it bites.

[alittlelark]

4. Take it out with vise grips - it's a safety bar.

Yeah, sux to redo work, but better safe than sorry. The new screw will be much easier to put in and Much Less likely to strip on the way.

[rampartc]

11. +1

a pilot hole would have helped. no longer needed since the old screw did the work.

[Beartracks]

14. Ironically, I did do a pilot hole. Clearly not wide enough, however. :(

The actual screws got REALLY tight as they went in.

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[Chainfire]

5. You need to get them out and start over.

Remove them with vice grip pliers and buy a couple of new screws. When you replace them, use a new driver bit, lubricate the screw with soap, and use low speed and firm pressure on the screw.

[JohnnyRingo]

6. Take it out and do it right.

Using a pair of vice grips, clamp it onto the screw and back it out. Get a new screw and this time make sure the driver is perpendicular to the surface. A bigger pilot hole may need drilled if the screw is too tight to seat.

You'll be glad you did in the end.

[IA8IT]

8. Best answer

[Hotler]

13. Pilot hole for sure. If going into wood a small amount of hand soap

on the screw will help it thread.

[abqtommy]

7. I've used square-drive screws in the past and find I have no problems with them. It also

helps to use a small bit to drill a pilot hole for the screw.

[Ferryboat]

10. If you you dont have vise grips which may be too big to use

Get ahold of a dyke. They have a small head but with a wicked sharp edge for cutting or pinching.

[rampartc]

12. best idea yet

but that is an insensitive word for our lesbian sisters. (the tool is a a wire cutter or diagonal edge pliers. )

[Ocelot II]

17. The term dyke or dike as applied to pliers has nothing to do with lesbians.

It's just shorthand or a contraction for diagonal cutter, one of the names of the tool.

[bluecollar2]

15. If they are Phillip's head screws

And they aren't completely stripped you might try dipping the screw driver or Apex tip in a little valve grinding compound and slowly turning the screw the last couple of turns.

You can get a cheap tube of compound at your local auto parts store. Stuff lasts forever and useful when you need to create friction.usually less than a couple of bucks...

If you end up removing and replacing use the compound and apply some soap to the threads before starting.

Good luck

[Beartracks]

16. Thanks! This sounds like a possibility.

Definitely just a few turns away, and maybe if I lean into it with a screwdriver... I didn't this kind of compound exists.

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[bluecollar2]

18. Post #3 suggested a torx bit

Could work. The thing is to avoid damaging the existing head any further.

Give it a shot.

Personally I'd try going back and forth..."rocking" the screw. Chances are the screw will start to back out. If that's the case try to completely remove the screw using vise grips, dykes etc..

Let us know how it goes.

Good luck.

[Beartracks]

19. I forgot about the Torx post. The screw heads are pretty stripped...

Some are like craters. I saw a suggestion somewhere about using a dremel to cut a new slight groove for a screwdriver to bite into, but I'm hesitant to remove more material from the heads. Maybe with a torx AND the compound, I could get them the rest of the way in....

Only one is sticking out far enough to maybe get a vise grip onto.

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[bluecollar2]

20. Bottom line

First do no further damage.

Apply the compound to your Phillip's bit and try to rock the screw out. If it doesn't work try the torx bit approach.

Focus on getting the screw to turn. The reverse/ backing out is more likely to be succesful.

The dremel is a possibility...cut a straight slot into the head and use a common straight slot screwdriver to try to turn the scree. That is another option but it requires removal of material from the existing screw...the last option.

[lastlib]

21. Get a bigger hammer.

[jmowreader]

22. Get your three-pound sledgehammer

Put a Phillips screwdriver you don't like very much into the recess on the screw and give it one good sound whack with the sledgehammer. This will create a good recess for you to drive the screw in the rest of the way with.

[bluedigger]

23. Had the exact same problem just a few days ago with the first screw.

I backed it out with vice grips, threw all the supplied screws in the trash, and replaced them with good ones.