How Do You Remove Stripped And Rusted Screws?
A screw that has been subjected to wear, nicks and other damage, or rusting can be difficult to remove. If the threads have been degraded or stripped off entirely, the fastener may not respond to standard insertion and removal methods, requiring an alternate strategy for addressing the problem. Exposure to a combination of water and oxygen can cause iron-oxide to form on metal screws, creating a rigid and non-reactive surface coating that deteriorates a fastener’s functionality. Like stripped threads or screw damage, this corrosion-rust-can cause a component or machine to fail if the afflicted screw is not properly removed. Removing a Stripped Screw While it’s possible to purchase a specialized stripped screw removal kit, in many cases the job can be accomplished using a standard set of tools. One of the major considerations in fastener removal involves slippage. It is important to apply leverage to move the damaged screw in a counterclockwise direction, but using insufficient force or
