Sorry for a really random question/request: could anyone recommend someone to contact about drilling out a couple of screws from a timber door?
I've reached the limit of my (very limited) skills and equipment.
Thanks.
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Handy person recommendation?
(17 posts)- Started 1 month ago by MrSRD
- Latest reply from gembo
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Posted 1 month ago #
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One option might be to chisel a square rebate around the screws - I assume the heads have broken off? - deep enough to get mole grips on the remainder, and then unscrew. You can then neaten the rebate and glue in a piece of wood and fill and sand smooth.
I had to do this with some timber when I built my outdoor workbench, though it's not the most aesthetic of pieces I'll grant you.
Posted 1 month ago # -
The heads are still attached, but damaged/filled in (see link).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d6IFO8HOZnwYE5IePGUGWSO7J1XIbu5R/view?usp=share_link
Am trying to get them out so as to remove the hinge plate.
Posted 1 month ago # -
‘Best’ option probably to drill them out.
Start with small drill bit.
Posted 1 month ago # -
What sort of a drill bit?
And what size?
Posted 1 month ago # -
For metal rather than wood.
Not critical, a few mm.
Too small and they are likely to break.
Idea is that it tends to be easier to start with a small hole then widen in.
Party depends if you want to reuse hinges (presumably) and in same place.
Presume you got the other two out?
Will probably be ok to re-fix with just two screws (rather than drilling other two out completely).
If so, you ‘just’ need to take heads off, will need a drill about size of screw shaft, not full head size.
Posted 1 month ago # -
I might try and scrape out the debris first with a pokey thing and perhaps also tapping said pokey thing gently with a hammer if debris stubourn (sorry, I have two of the pokey things but can't for life of me remember what they are called!). That may allow enough purchase to just unsrew.
Posted 1 month ago # -
Ah pokey thing = Bradawl
I have one of these and another with thicker pokey bit): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpenters-Bradawl-SupaTool-Pointed-Plastic/dp/B00CWAVA3CPosted 1 month ago # -
Actually, re-looking at photo, trying to “scrape out” worth trying first.
Optimum probably Stanley knife, but small screwdriver or even chisel…
Then a ‘sharp’ screwdriver that fits the width and length of slot with a big enough handle to get a good grip.
Never easy.
Satisfying when screw starts moving!
Posted 1 month ago # -
Start with small drill bit.
Before starting to drill into metal, you need to centre the drill by giving the metal/screw a good whack with a centre-punch. Otherwise your drill will wobble about all over the place, and miss the screw entirely
Posted 1 month ago # -
This is what I've been using to 'scrape':
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-0hwBdExKOHNiDzStHoRVXp6en6FuIKV/view?usp=sharing
Will try with a Stanley knife as well, but it just seems to be damaging the head.
Was able to get the other 14 screws out (relatively) easily, but the last two were very tightly screwed in or especially painted over ...
Posted 1 month ago # -
A Stanley knife shouldn't damage the screw heads much, as you're trying to cut metal with a very thin knife.
My approach would be to find a large flat screwdriver, as large as the head will allow, and a hammer. Bang the tip of the screwdriver into the head of the screw, and hit it while turning it to shock it into unscrewing. If you can get it to turn a couple of times it will be exposed enough to either carry on unscrewing, or grasp with the mole grips/vise grips if needed.
The main risk is inadvertently breaking off the screw head, which can happen to very rusty screws.
Posted 1 month ago # -
I'll go in search of a more suitable screw driver and then 'give it a bash' (NPI).
I'm mainly concerned with getting the hinge plate off, but it would be nice to do so 'cleanly'.
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
Posted 1 month ago # -
Success!
I got a different sort of paint stripper and went slightly afar (Hermiston Gate) in search of a closer-fit screwdriver.
Was then able to get the two recalcitrant screws out, without too much bother.
Thanks again for the useful suggestions and support!
Posted 1 month ago # -
CCE strikes again!
Posted 1 month ago # -
But was it satisfying when they started turning?
Posted 1 month ago # -
Costive as Leopold Bloom said. Cascara Sagrada.
Posted 1 month ago #
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