Stripped hex screw head

[Remi]

I need to remove a hex screw, but the head is stripped. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Goedjn]

How big, and from what? Vice-grips, for an initial try.

[Malcolm Hoar]

Something like this:

[Dan Espen]

[Ken]

Lots of ways depending on the situation.

If the head protrudes, grab it with vise grips and twist it out.

If the head does not protrude, cut a slot with a dremel and than back it out with a screwdriver.

Another method is to drill a pilot hole in the center and then get it out with a screw extractor. Google on "easy out".

They also make a tool that basically combines the drilling and the extracting in one step, but the name of that tool escapes me at the moment. Used a lot for getting out old locks that have those one-way screws holding them to the door.

If this is a large fastener, like the alternator on a car or something, then there is another tool for this purpose like the set at Sears:

Ken

[tnom]

A large pair of vise grips or a sharp drill and an easy out.

[Jeffy3]

I have many times just drilled them off with a power drill.

[N8N]

agree.

that'll work too, although an intermediate step would be trying to drive in a Torx bit or maybe a cheesehead or "triple square" bit (that you don't care if you destroy.)

I've never had any luck with those.

left-handed drill bit? Such a thing does exist, usually packaged in a kit with EZ-outs.

never tried that one.

Another option would be to MIG weld a nut to the head of the screw and use a wrench or socket to remove it.

good luck,

nate

[hallerb]

I fix office mnachines for a living they use lots of fastners like these.

Its key to NEVER OVERTIGHTEN!

When a jerk says oh the allen was lose so I tightened it till it went click click click I KNOW I have a problem:(

[Tom The Great]

Could try ez-out, or one of those products sold by Sears to remove stripped screws.

Just guessing here, how about a photo for us?

later,

tom @

[DerbyDad03]

- I need to remove a hex screw, but the head is stripped. Any ideas? Thanks.

Epoxy your wrench into the hole, wait overnight and remove it.

[tnom]

Purchase a cheap impact driver and a new bit for it. Get your moneys worth on the FIRST smack.

[mm]

If you can drill with a left-handed drill bit, that's even better. Sometimes the screw comes out while you're drilling.

HarborFreight now has a low-priced set of 4, when it used to be hard to get even two sizes. I have 'em but haven't used them yet.

[mm]

This assumes you also have a drill that will run backwards.