I have a piece of wood furniture that has doors (small; the furniture is about 4' tall by 1' deep by 3' wide). The wood is dense / fine grain.

The hinge and screws seem like brass (at least the screws). The screws seem to be about 1/16" in diameter and about 1" long.

A few of the screws are corroded - they are slotted screws but there is no slot anymore. I tried to remove them with pliers but I'm just crushing the screw; they don't rotate at all.

Help? How do I remove the screws so that I can install new screws?

easy out,
small drill bit, drill as close to center as you can, insert the easy out and it should back out

quote:

easy out

Thanks! Is easy out another name for extractor? Is Irwin a good brand? There is also Neiko and Bosch. (Quick search)

do you have a small dremel wheel that you can restore the slot for the screw driver?

I have an oscillating dremel - I'll need to check if it has some sort of attachment to make a slot. A little leery about this as the screw is basically flush w/ the wood - I don't want to damage the wood. But let me check. I don't have a rotating dremel.

I don't think you're going to be able drill a hole in a 1/16" diameter screw.

Can you cut a new slot with a Dremel tool?

Can you grind the screw heads off and mount the hinges in different locations such that the old screws don't interfere with the new screws?

How about drill the screws out with a larger bit, maybe 1/8", fill the holes with epoxy, drill new holes and install new screws?

Out of curiosity and because it might help find a solution to your quandary, why do you want to remove the screws?

Yes they are the same tool. I think the Irwin should do just fine. Use a center punch to get the drill bit centered as best you can. I’m not sure how small extractors are made. From your description it sounds like a very small screw. If the extractor won’t work, the only option I can think of is continuing to drill the screw out. To replace the screws I would glue a hardwood dowel into the hole and let that set up before installing the new screws. Best of luck.

Checking on what adapters I have the the oscillating dremel I have. But lucky if I have anything useful but may be able to buy something. But not much room on the head of the screw to make a new slot - it's soft so even if I make a slot, a screw driver may just bend the head. Doesn't hurt to try if I can though.

May be able to move the hinges but the door has a cutout. I'd have to make another cut out for the hinge somehow (I'm not a crafty person).

Maybe be able clear some wood around the screw head, use plier to remove the screw and then use a larger diameter, longer screw as replacement.

The problem started because the door was loose. We couldn't tighten the hinge screws. So, we're trying to remove and replace the screws so that the door doesn't wobble on the hinge.

I'll try extracting the screw. If that doesn't work, I'll drill it out somehow and then use larger / longer screws as replacement. I found an extractor made in Japan (Anex). Not sure if it's the right size though. I'll also get the Irwin set - the extractors sound like made in USA.

https://www.woodmagazine.com/w...oken-screw-from-wood

These remove the screw, then you glue in a dowel, and drill a new hole for a new screw

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003...7d8bbc533ff8de2d29f2

quote:

Originally posted by PeteF:
https://www.woodmagazine.com/w...oken-screw-from-wood

These remove the screw, then you glue in a dowel, and drill a new hole for a new screw

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003...7d8bbc533ff8de2d29f2

This looks like a good approach, though if I am reading the OP correctly, he will have to drill out the heads of the screws first to get the hinge off before using the mini hole saw approach.

Left hand drill bit?

Thanks guys - good to have options.

Especially since I used a left hand drill bit and was able to make a hole but the screw doesn't budge at all. I ordered the extractor bits.

To move the hinge, I think I need some sort of router to extend the current hinge cutout a little up or down. Then I can make new holes for new screws.

Looking into router bits (I don't have a router either - hoping to use the dremel or my M18 drill).

 
If you can get hold of the screw head at all, you could try using pliers made just for grabbing screw heads. They have an opening at the end of the jaws with teeth in there to hold the screw head.
 
Two such are Knipex Twin Grip, and Engineer PZ-58. Look at the pictures to see how they are designed.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks guys - good to have options.

Especially since I used a left hand drill bit and was able to make a hole but the screw doesn't budge at all. I ordered the extractor bits.

To move the hinge, I think I need some sort of router to extend the current hinge cutout a little up or down. Then I can make new holes for new screws.

Looking into router bits (I don't have a router either - hoping to use the dremel or my M18 drill).

A sharp, quality wood chisel is a lot cheaper than a router. A little care is in order that you clean out the wood properly. Plus, do it right and the satisfaction is rewarding.

I would highly recommend AGAINST moving the hinge, as that is very difficult to do with a good cosmetic result, and it’s just not necessary.

Once you get the old screws out, glue in a small dowel or toothpick using wood glue, let dry, then pre-drill new holes and install new screws.

As for removing the old screws, if you haven’t yet, remove the door from the other side of the hinge. This will make it much easier to work with, without the weight of the door. You said the hinges were getting loose. Typically this means the screws are loose and are wobbling, making the hole larger. They should not be “stuck” as screws can get when rusted into metal.

Get a good magnifying glass or high power reading glasses, and see if you can clear original slots with a pick tool. The slots are probably still there- just obscured by rust. The screws should turn easily.

You could also try using super glue to glue a small piece of a small finishing nail (head side) to the screw head, and when dry use the nail to grip with plyers to remove. Use strong reading glasses and small needle nose plyers- this is precise work.

If you have to drill out the screw then just do your best to drill them as close to center as you can. Once out use the appropriate size dowel and good wood glue.

Thanks guys.

I'll look into buying a chisel - a router is $200 (no go for one time use).

I'll continue to try to get the screws out somehow. And the pursue the dowel method first. Seems like it would be mechanically weak but it's a common thing to do it appears so I'll try it.

Or maybe, I can use the same location for the hinge plate but just drill a hole in a slightly different location. A hole in the plate and the door. Then use that fresh hole with new screws.

The head of the screws are now gone. I'll try the extractor when I get it today. After that, on to options 2 and 3.

But first, a salami sandwich beckons.

Thanks!

quote:

Two such are Knipex Twin Grip, and Engineer PZ-58. Look at the pictures to see how they are designed.

Hey, I have the PZ-58. I forgot about it. It was still stapled into the package. I used it for one of the screws - even though the head was gone, I crushed what remained together and was able to twist the screw out!

The other screw unfortunately it drilled out too much and counter sunk into the wood. Need a different solution there. The extractor didn't work.

I'm leaning toward just making a new hole in the hinge and door for a new screw.

Extractors that small will not work. Best case they won’t grip, worst case they break off in the screw. Drilling the hinge for a different location is the most practical solution. If you can’t live with that, perhaps make a small core drill from a piece steel tubing large enough to drill around the screw. Notch the end with several teeth and spin it with a hand drill. You could then plug the hole and then redrill and/or use larger screws.

quote:

Knipex Twin Grip

That's a tool I don't regret buying!

Knipex makes good stuff, and their customer service is mighty good too.


(Link to Chad's Toolbox)

You might try a soldering iron. One of the “pencil” types for fine electronic soldering.

Ideally have even a little bit of a slot. Heat the screw with the soldering iron, pressing hard right on the slot. Get a little smoke from the screw, then try to unscrew it. The wood heating and burning a bit may loosen it up. If the hole turns out too big, shave a toothpick and glue it in place. Then drill a new hole for the new screw.