Removing Stripped Screws

-Old cabinets in bathrooms or kitchens frequently have stripped screws. Due to the age and wear on the screws, it is impossible to get a good grip on the screw with your screwdriver. There are several solutions:

-You could use a vise-grip if the screw heads are protruding enough for a good grip.

-You might try to cut a new slot or deeping the existing slot of the stripped screw by using a dremmel tool or by using a disc cutter. (Follow manufacturer's safety recommendations regarding proper eye safety glasses, etc.)

-If the screws have been painted, then you might try cleaning out the groove in order to get a good grip.

-I haven't tried this, but it looks promising: search for "4grabit" on google for a useful tool for stripped screws.

-Finally, you might try loosening the screws by hammering a phillips screwdriver into the screw and rocking it.

-Stripped screws can be annoying in old bathroom cabinet hinges, kitchen cabinet hinges, and myriad other applications. You can get them out, though!

Available now: Home Renovation and Remodeling Tips for Amazon Kindle and Amazon Kindle Iphone app: click here

Amazon Kindle Book by John Zedd

Former builder and instructor of "Save Time and Money in Home Remodeling" cont. ed. course at Emory University