How Does a Screw Extractor Work?
Introduction A screw that is damaged often cannot be removed with the tools most commonly used to remove an undamaged screw. In some cases, the fitting on the head of the screw meant to accept a flat head, Phillips-head, hex or torx screwdriver may be stripped so that the intended screwdriver no longer turns the screw. In an even worse case, the entire screw head may break off, rendering all screwdrivers and even pliers useless. With a screw extractor, however, the screw can still be removed without damaging the surrounding material. A screw extractor is a simple tool that can be found at any hardware store, and are inexpensive to purchase. It looks similar to a drill bit and often can be either turned manually or with the aid of an electric drill. Prepping and Inserting the Screw Extractor First, a hole must be drilled in the center of the screw that is large and deep enough for the screw extractor to fit inside of. This typically involves using a hammer and center punch to create an
