Removing a headless screw - How to?

Roxanne Akimbo

Removing some cabinet doors, one screw head snapped off after I barely touched it with the screwdriver. I went out and bought a Kobalt screw extractor and tried it out. It's worthless, so I'm not gonna waste money and try the Grabit.

Any suggestions? I'm at a loss here.

Bob Mariani

Use a plug cutter. this bit is hollow and you can drill around the broken screw and pop out the plug (which will contain the screw). now glue a dowel into the plug hole, cut flush and sand. You ready for a new screw that will hold well in the new wood.

DUDE!

Bob, thanks for that info, had no idea something like that was out there, thanks for passing that along

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downunder

Just for a slight twist on Bob's excellent suggestion, since this on a cabinet door where you might not want to go all the way through, you might try the plug cutter but take just enough out so that you can get the end of the screw with a pair of Vise Grips.

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7echo

The plug cutter works well for this type of problem. I have used a small hole saw with the pilot bit removed, though it is a little dicey to keep the hole saw from skating.

Bob Mariani

Good point in not going all the way through.. I sometimes overlook that I own every tool made. I use a drill press for this operation, so depth is set and checked on scrap wood first. Also match the plug small enough to have the hinge cover it, large enough to go around the screw and select a size that matches the dowel stock.

Bob Mariani

smallest hole saw is 1/2" you only need about 1/4" to remove the screw. But for another tip with your holesaw, screw a small and a larger holesaw on the same shank to make wood rings for wheels or napkin holders.