Need Some Tips on Getting a Stripped Screw Out

[zerocool84]

Ok well I am trying to replace the handles for my shower. my shower has 3 handles, one on the left for cold, one in the middle to turn on the water, and one on the right to turn on the hot. i was able to get the screws for the hot on the right and the water in the middle but the left one (cold), i stripped the head which is a phillips screw diamond/star shape. i tried getting one of my phillips screwdrivers and hammering it in the head so it could grab but it's not working. any other tips on getting it out of there?? just the head is stripped so i cant grab it with and screwdriver. any help is GREATLY appreciated

 

[Rastus]

Drill and EZout

Hacksaw and flat bladed screwdriver

Hammer and chisel or flat bladed screwdriver

 

[timswim78]

There is a tool (EZOUT) that looks like a drill bit, except that it is goes the opposite direction of a drill bit. You can use it to back out stripped bolts ad screws.

 

[Heisenberg]

You could try a set of these.

Edit: Link fixed, I think. Stupid sears.

 

[Lounatik]

I am looking on the Sears website. They have a tool that removes stripped out screws.

If I find it, I'll post the link.

Edit: Here ya go.

Peace


Lounatik

 

[zerocool84]

wow thanks, im getting a lot of help, so this ezout stuff, i'll go to homedepot right now and see if they carry it

 

[Greenman]

Are you in the USA? Cause here cold is always on the right. I know that doesn't help you with the screw, but that question has been answered.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Greenman
Are you in the USA? Cause here cold is always on the right. I know that doesn't help you with the screw, but that question has been answered.

lol i dont know................my cold is on the left and i am here in the usa, and my faucets and everything else has cold on the right it's just this one shower that has it backwards

 

[habib89]

for my snowboard, i used a rotary tool to cut a slot, and used a flat head screwdriver to get it out

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Greenman
Are you in the USA? Cause here cold is always on the right. I know that doesn't help you with the screw, but that question has been answered.

lol i dont know................my cold is on the left and i am here in the usa, and my faucets and everything else has cold on the right it's just this one shower that has it backwards

Not knowing that would have made me nuts, thanks.

On some valves, the whole shaft and seat can be replaced, you might want see if you have one like that.

 

[NoShangriLa]

Screw extractor is a good solution, however in a pinch you could try drilling the screws head slightly deeper with a drill bit then tap the head with a Robertson bit (or any bit to your liking) with a hammer to set it befor commencing to undo the screw.

 

[Minjin]

Impact driver. Any time a screw feels like it might strip out, get out the impact driver.

 

[frankgomez75]

I use a dremel with a wheel cutter attachment. I slice the head to make a new groove and use a flathead to turn it. Works for me, it might for you if you have a dremel.

 

[chuckywang]

Join the club.

 

[NoShangriLa]

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Greenman
Are you in the USA? Cause here cold is always on the right. I know that doesn't help you with the screw, but that question has been answered.

lol i dont know................my cold is on the left and i am here in the usa, and my faucets and everything else has cold on the right it's just this one shower that has it backwards

Not knowing that would have made me nuts, thanks.

On some valves, the whole shaft and seat can be replaced, you might want see if you have one like that.

I'm not familiar with 3 handles faucet, but it could be that the OP have a reversed install cartridge valve that require disassemble and turn the stem 180 degree to get the correct hot/cold water flow. However, it sound like the OP have a compression style setup that have reversed supply line that need to be switch around.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: NoShangriLa

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Greenman
Are you in the USA? Cause here cold is always on the right. I know that doesn't help you with the screw, but that question has been answered.

lol i dont know................my cold is on the left and i am here in the usa, and my faucets and everything else has cold on the right it's just this one shower that has it backwards

Not knowing that would have made me nuts, thanks.

On some valves, the whole shaft and seat can be replaced, you might want see if you have one like that.

I'm not familiar with 3 handles faucet, but it could be that the OP have a reversed install cartridge valve that require disassemble and turn the stem 180 degree to get the correct hot/cold water flow. However, it sound like the OP have a compression style setup that have reversed supply line that need to be switch around.

 

[flot]

Like everybody said, easyout. I have seen them at Sears before but don't recall ever seeing them at home depot. I have a set (some odd brand I got at a boat show) and they really do work...

 

[potato28]

Pair of pliers, flat head screwdriver and cut out a grove, drill it out, use a powerful magnet(!)...

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: flot
Like everybody said, easyout. I have seen them at Sears before but don't recall ever seeing them at home depot. I have a set (some odd brand I got at a boat show) and they really do work...

i went to sears to get it, it worked perfectly, thanks a lot guys for the help

 

[0roo0roo]

dremel

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: timswim78
There is a tool (EZOUT) that looks like a drill bit, except that it is goes the opposite direction of a drill bit. You can use it to back out stripped bolts ad screws.

And you can swear at them when they break off inside .

For a screw of minor torque, I'd take a sharp chisel and pound it out. If that was not working (once the head comes out, but is not turning easy), cut a slot on the head of the screw and get a flat head screwdriver to turn it out.

The craftsman screw outs and others like them I have not used, but have heard they really work well.

 

[NoShangriLa]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: NoShangriLa

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Greenman
Are you in the USA? Cause here cold is always on the right. I know that doesn't help you with the screw, but that question has been answered.

lol i dont know................my cold is on the left and i am here in the usa, and my faucets and everything else has cold on the right it's just this one shower that has it backwards

Not knowing that would have made me nuts, thanks.

On some valves, the whole shaft and seat can be replaced, you might want see if you have one like that.

I'm not familiar with 3 handles faucet, but it could be that the OP have a reversed install cartridge valve that require disassemble and turn the stem 180 degree to get the correct hot/cold water flow. However, it sound like the OP have a compression style setup that have reversed supply line that need to be switch around.

Try disasemble the center knob/valve (it could be the diverter valve) and turn the stem 180 degree to see if that correct the water flow from cold/hot to hot/cold if it is a problem.

PS. Happy New Year!

 

[RedRooster]

File opposite sides of the head flat and get some small vice grips on there.