Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - How to remove old tight deck screws?
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : How to remove old tight deck screws?
jbclem
10-13-05, 05:19 PM
I'm dismantling a deck and don't want to ruin the redwood decking, still in good shape. Some of the screws are coming out, and a lot aren't. They are tight enought so that the screwdriver bit slips in the phillips screw slot. If I can get a horizontal visegrip on the head I can often get the screw out, but many won't even come out enough for that.
Are there any tricks for accomplishing this. I hate to get out the crowbar...!
John
Are there any tricks for accomplishing this. I hate to get out the crowbar...!
John
marksr
10-13-05, 07:29 PM
In my tool box I have a type of screw driver [wish I knew the name of it] that is designed to be hit with a hammer and turns the bit as you hit it. I have had moderate success using it on stubborn screws. Now if we only knew what it is called....
jbclem
10-13-05, 07:53 PM
It's called an impact screwdriver...I'll see if I still have one and if so give it a try. But it the phillips slots aren't holding I'm not sure any kind of screwdriver will work, if the slots would hold I could get the screws out.
John
John
slickshift
10-13-05, 07:58 PM
EZ out bolt exractor and a reverse thread bit
Reverse drill bit makes a hole, then a reverse thread extractor is tapped in, usually held by a tap and the whole thing is twisted out
I use a kit, but you can get just one size of bit and EZ out at the hardware store
Reverse drill bit makes a hole, then a reverse thread extractor is tapped in, usually held by a tap and the whole thing is twisted out
I use a kit, but you can get just one size of bit and EZ out at the hardware store
slickshift
10-13-05, 08:03 PM
mmmm...sorry, did a search for bolt extaractor, you want a screw extractor
http://www.doityourself.com/store/screwextractorsets.htm
http://www.doityourself.com/store/screwextractorsets.htm
slickshift
10-13-05, 08:05 PM
This one's sort of like my kit
http://www.doityourself.com/store/6717235.htm
http://www.doityourself.com/store/6717235.htm
marksr
10-14-05, 07:05 AM
One of the reasons impact screwdrivers work is you are forcing the bit into the head helping it to grip better. It is a little simpler than drilling and using an extractor but you will likely have to drill the real stubborn ones.
rdhamm
10-14-05, 08:37 AM
Can you get beneath the deck and use a bi-metal blade and cut between the bottom of the deck board and the joist?
jbclem
10-15-05, 02:19 AM
The decking is on real tight and since it is next to an abandoned house(soon to be bulldozed) there is no electricity available even if I could get a bimetal blade to fit. I'm going to look at impact screwdrivers and see how well they work.
John
John
COREY HALLBERG
11-20-05, 08:26 AM
There A Reletively Cheap Battery Operated Sawsalls Although I Wouldnt Recomend Them For Commecial Use But For A Small Project Theyre Ok But Id Try The Impact Driver First.
wreckwriter
01-13-06, 10:29 AM
an old aircraft mechanic's trick: get some Clover valve grinding compound. Dip the tip of your screwdriver in it before trying. the phillips will grip much better.