I have a hinge on a wood shelf. The hinge is bent so that the shelf doesn't close flat - I'd like to remove the hinge to try and fix it.

Problem: the wood screws for the hinge seem like they were compressed when the hinge got bent. So, the slot in the screws are compressed shut.

How do I remove slotted screws when the slot is closed?

tiny file

re-cut the slots

I have used a Dremel, a disk grinder and hack saws in similar situations to create a new slot. Obviously, the choice of tool is dictated on the size of the screw and access.

Easy

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Speed...Extractor/1000170531

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK32YsQNss8

Pic would be nice. Can you drill the heads of the screws out to get it out to work on.

quote:

Originally posted by DrDan:
I have used a Dremel, a disk grinder and hack saws in similar situations to create a new slot. Obviously, the choice of tool is dictated on the size of the screw and access.

This would be my first choice. I have done it in the past.

Small and flush so access is tight.

I’ll post a pic later so you guys can see

If you don't have any luck re-slotting the screw (my first choice) you might try these. Most times they grab enough to back the screw out.

https://www.harborfreight.com/...set-13-pc-61686.html

If access is tight, drill them and use an Easy-out bit.

Here's a pic. Reslotting may be challenging unless you guys know of a way.

Drill and some sort of extractor bit may be the way to go but it's a small screw.....

Looks to me like a small pocket screwdriver, sometimes known as a "tweaker" would fit.

A Dremel with a thin blade to open the slot, then a good screwdriver with a parallel tip. It would be nice to keep those original screws to reuse after fixing the hinge.

Unless you're worried about damage to the hinge, you should have no trouble cutting those with a dremel.

BUT, it looks like you could get a small screwdriver in there. Maybe the largest flathead from a mini-screwdriver set.

Lastly, use a small chisel or a knife you don't care about to open up the slots a little.

A drill run in reverse with a left-handed drill bit. This tends to grab hold of the screw and twist it out, but if it doesn't, you now have a hole to put an extractor in.

No joy. I've tried many flat points in the house. The screw metal is soft - I could squeeze in a knife tip into one but then stripped the top a little. The other screw is closed too much - I can't squeeze anything in (well, I slipped a box cutter in but broke the blade).

The screw is in tight, the screw metal is soft and the slot is too closed to get anything meaningful in for torque.

Left hand drill bit? The threaded portion of the screw is about 1/16". Do they make a left hand drill bit small enough? I don't mind replacing the screws (I assume I can get something off the shelf easily?). Just not sure how to get them out.

This work?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Those screws look fine, are you sure you're using the right (tiny) sized screwdriver?

In any case, a Dremel or small file will open those up wider.

And, yes, such screws (and often the hinges, too) are pretty common at local hardware stores like Ace or whatever.

Put me squarely in the "cut those slots bigger with a dremel" camp.

Another option is to use a drill bit the same size as the head of the screw. Once you have drilled off the head you should be able to pull the hinge off leaving enough screw shaft to get hold of with vise grips.

i would recommend remove the entire hinge and shelf. then you could lay the piece flat for a better working angle, or possible straighten the hinge.

john