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Tips & Techniques

how to remove a broken screw

10 years ago

ok im refinishing some wooden chairs in the back yard. well some of the screws rusted to the point that the heads of the broke off. so the rest of the screw is flush with the wood. how do i remove them so when i'm done painting them i can put them back together?

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Comments (2)

Charlie
10 years ago
Removal is difficult without damaging the chairs. One possible solution is to dig around the screw with a knife or other scraping tool until you can get a grip on it with pliers or vice grips and unscrew it. Then use wood putty to close the hole; sand it smoth; paint it; and re-drill the hole for the new screw.
clorpt
10 years ago
There is a basic tool called a "screw extractor". It is a hardened steel screw with a reverse thread. Your local hardware store will have it. If possible go a little larger when putting in the new screw; or put a small wood sliver into the old hold to give the new screw a good bite so it will stay firm.
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