How to Unscrew a Screw Without a Screwdriver

To unscrew a Phillips or flathead screw without a screwdriver, you may be able to use common household items. For instance, try inserting the edge of a coin, the tip of a butterknife, or even your thumbnail into one of the grooves at the top of the screw. Use the flat edge of the object to turn the screw counterclockwise and loosen it, just like you would with a regular screwdriver. If you don’t have anything that can fit in the grooves on the screw, grip the top of the screw with a pair of pliers or vice grips, then turn it counterclockwise until it’s loose. This technique will only work if the top of the screw sticks up enough so you can get a good grip on it. If all else fails, use a hacksaw to cut a larger groove into the top of the screw. This will make it easier to fit a flat edge into it so you can loosen it. For extra tiny screws, use a pointed object, like the tip of a sharp knife or a nail file. You can also try using the tip of a pair of a small pair of scissors or tweezers. Unscrewing a torx screw, or a screw with a star-shaped hole, can be trickier. You may be able to fit a small flathead screwdriver into the top of the torx screw. If you don’t have any kind of screwdriver, use a lighter to soften the plastic at the handle end of an old toothbrush. Insert the softened plastic into the top of the screw so it molds to the shape of the hole. Once the plastic cools and hardens, turn it to loosen the screw. For torx security screws, place a small punch or nail in the top of the screw and tap it with a hammer. This will knock out the central pin, making it easier to remove the screw. You can also drill a small hole in a non-security torx driver bit of the right size so the bit can accommodate the pin. If you want to learn how to remove small screws with a nail file or tweezers, keep reading the article!