It is something that can drive even the most experienced do it yourselfer crazy, trying to remove a screw when the screw head is worn down or the slot is badly damaged.
When that happens it’s time to put down the screwdriver and pull out the center punch. Put the center punch into the slot off center to the right at a little bit of an angle and then very gently with a hammer tap it to try and turn it counter clockwise. Do this until your screw is loose enough so that you can work with it.
Once you have the screw loosened you can take a pair of pliers to remove the screw. With a little ingenuity you can save yourself a lot of frustration.
Here is some more information we found for you about screwdrivers.
Screwdrivers are made for doing just that, driving screws. You don’t want to use them for chipping, punching holes, scraping, prying, and so forth.
The conventional screwdriver has a single blade and is used with screws of matching heads. With the Philips head screwdriver you are less likely to have slippage because of its design, the cross-slot, and it lends itself to driving with a power bit.
You can also purchase a battery-powered cordless screwdriver. These tools can be extremely useful.
Flat heads screws are always countersunk or rest flush with the surface.
Oval heads screws allow countersinking, but the head protrudes somewhat.
Round-headed screws rest on top of the material and are easiest to remove.
Wood screws are used when stronger joining is needed, or for when other materials must be fastened to wood. This screw is tapered to help draw the wood together as the screw is inserted.
A sheet metal screw can also be used to fasten metal to wood, as well as metal to metal, plastic, or other materials. Sheet metal screws are threaded completely from the point to the head, and the threads are sharper than those of wood screws.
Machine screws are for joining metal parts, such as hinges to metal doorjambs. They are inserted into tapped (pre-threaded) holes and are sometimes used with washers and nuts.
Lag screws, or square-headed bolts with screw heads, are for heavy holding and are driven in with a wrench rather than a screwdriver.
Remember, when choosing screw length, the screw should penetrate 2/3 of the combined thickness of the materials being joined. Consider moisture conditions and the makeup of the materials being fastened, to avoid corrosion. Use galvanized or other rust-resistant screws where rust could be a problem.
Tips on Screwdriving
1.) Lubricate screws with soap or wax for easier installation.
2.) Whenever possible, hold the work in a vise or clamp when inserting a screw. If you can’t do this then keep your hands and other parts of the body away from the tip of the driver.
3.) If you don’t have a center punch and you need to remove a screw with a damaged slot, another slot can be cut with a hacksaw blade if the head is exposed enough.
4.) A pilot hole (usually 2 sizes smaller than the shank of the screw) should always be made before driving a screw. This is especially crucial in hardwoods or when driving a screw near the end of the board. When working with screws of larger diameter, a pilot hole of the same diameter as the shank of the screw should be drilled into the wood to a depth of 1/3 the length of the screw.
5.) Always keep the screwdriver shank in line with the screw shank. This will avoid damaging the screw slot and pushing the screw out of line.
6.) If you have a loose screw that keeps coming out of a wooden drawer or cabinet try inserting a little wood putty into the hole and then drive the screw in once more. When the putty hardens it will keep the screw in place and put an end to those loose screws!
7.) You may want to try painting a loose screw with clear nail polish, like the putty, when it hardens it will keep the screw in place.
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