Stripped screw extracter kit

[oldglory]

Anyone ever use one of these? I am going to go pick one up this evening. Was told about it by a good friend who knew I was having some trouble. It wouldn't be so bad if there weren't so many stripped screws but the number that won't come out is ridiculous so I thought I would delay a few grey hairs.

[Deleted]

I am not sure I have seen any that are designed for a small screw such as the ones along the rails. I have used a small pair of vice grips to remove the stripped Phillips head screws. It works, but the pinched fingers (when the vice grips slip) may be worth the price of admission. Interested to see what the tool actually consists of.

[schweetcruisers]

You can also use a angle grinder or dremel with cut off wheel to make a new slot(s) in the head and get a bigger screwdriver into it.

[Deleted]

Tried that approach too, but my wheel was a little large and ..well, let's say it didn't end as well as I had planned....(surrounding aluminum disappears in a very big hurry...)

[oldglory]

Tried the vice grips and they won't budge, but hands sure do hurt! Afraid to damage the skin. Drilling them would be a major pain. So...I am going to go see what I can find. Hopefully, the set will be small enought for the screws. The trailer is in great condition....minus those screws!!! I will be sure to report back with my progress. Hopefully, it will be a good alternative for some of us.

[universalexports]

a proper sized and shaped Phillips screwdriver tip goes a long way, for me a Phillips head a bit smaller than the "average" sized screwdriver worked better and it sit deeper in the groves.

[Deleted]

I have actually had good luck with a #2 Phillips, and a hammer. A bit of gentle tapping into the head of the screw not only seats the driver, but it also jars the threads loose. There is a bit of touch involved (especially around the dinette windows...that didn't end well either...) it is a gentle tap or three...When they won't budge I have nudged most loose with the vice grips then spun out with the driver.
Basically it is the same effect, seating deeper in the groove of the screw head.

[61 Shasta]

I became a believer in stripped screw extractors in a round about way. This little set was sent to me as a "gift" for some item I purchased and I immediately pitched them in the tool cabinet and forgot about them, until I needed something to remove some brass screws. I thought what the heck. These brass screws were #4 phillips flat head wood screws in a piano hinge that I needed to remove and couldn't afford to leave any scratches or marks behind. I tried the smallest one and wow! I was sold and have been using them ever since. Go ahead and buy the set, you will be happy you did.

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[vikx]

I fought with every screw on my 56 Aljo trim. What a nightmare... the PO had put silver tape over the screws and they rusted to nothing. If the extractor misses, try the Dremel.

Use the EZ lock mandrell and the thinnest (approx 1/16) cutting wheels. The EZ lock is more flexible and prevents the wheel from breaking. It worked for me when NOTHING else would... Good Luck.

[hueytownalss]

Dremel with thinnest wheels worked best for me. Had to do it ALL screws. Cut straight cut then used flat head screw driver. Will use better screws when it goes back together.

[tylerbes]

Uggh I almost forgot the nightmare of the stripped phillips screws. I must have had 30 or more of them on my camper. Major PITA. I used every trick mentioned here... it was a combo of all of them that worked, started with the fastest solution (taping screwdriver will turning) and progressively moved to the msot complicated and time consuming. Any way you do it, I suggest removing all of the ones that you can get out simply first and then go back to all the stripped onces after.

[schweetcruisers]

I think I only had one screw I to cut, but I used a impact gun to remove all mine, that might of been the key, since it hits the screw as it removes it. Granted if you've already stripped the head, your going to have extract them another with another method.

[znorm]

Dremel is the way to go. Take a small piece of 26 ga. sheet metal and drill a hole just a little bigger than the head of the screw. That will help you keep from damaging the skin. Just a little shield will help. Also, spray a little WD-40 and let it sit for awhile.