The Best Way to Use a Screw Extractor

Remove a screw with ease using this simple guide

Co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: April 4, 2024 Fact Checked

If you need to remove a broken screw or bolt, a screw extractor is the perfect tool to use. Screw extractors have reverse threads that grip onto the screw so you’re able to turn them and take them out more easily. We interviewed professional handymen to put together our helpful guide, so keep reading and we’ll walk you through using a screw extractor from start to finish.

Things You Should Know

Put on a pair of safety glasses . Tap the middle of the screw with a center punch to make an indent.
Use a drill bit narrower than the screw to make a shallow hole in the head.
Turn the screw extractor counterclockwise into the hole to loosen and remove the screw.

1

Put on safety glasses.

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Using a screw extractor requires drilling into the metal, which can create sharp metal shavings or even break the tool. ^{[1]
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Research source}

Wear a pair of thick safety glasses made with polycarbonate lenses to protect your eyes while you work. ^{[2]
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Research source}

2

Tap the screw head with a center punch.

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A center punch is a cylindrical piece of metal with a pointed end. Align the tip with the center of the screw head. Then, just tap the other end of the punch with a hammer to make a small indent. ^{[3]
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The indent will help prevent the drill bit or extractor from slipping away from the center of the screw.

3

Drill out the center of the screw.

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Choose a drill bit that’s slightly narrower than the screw head and attach it to your drill . Barry Zakar, a handyman, says that, “the screw extractor instructions will tell you what size bit to use for a given screw.” ^{[4]
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Expert Source

Barry Zakar
Handyman

Expert Interview. 16 July 2020.}

Then, place the drill bit in the divot on the center of the screw. Apply downward pressure so you drill straight down into the screw head by about ¹ ⁄ ₈ – ¹ ⁄ ₄ inch (0.32–0.64 cm).

Instead of a separate bit, some screw extractors fit into your drill and have ends made to cut through the metal. Ryaan Tuttle, a handyman, notes, “you're going to use one end to the extractor bit and screw into the screw head and make it look like a little divot.” ^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview. 18 June 2021.}

Pro Tip: Apply cutting oil to the screw to lubricate the metal so you spend less time drilling and create less wear and tear for your drill bit.

4

Turn the screw extractor counterclockwise.

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Place the pointed threaded end of the screw extractor into the hole you just drilled.

If your extractor came with a tap handle, attach it to the end of the extractor and turn it counterclockwise by hand. Alternatively, grip the extractor with a wrench to turn it.

If your extractor is made to fit into a drill, Handyman Ryaan Tuttle says, “flip the extractor bit around and drill in reverse.” ^{[6]
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Expert Source

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview. 18 June 2021.}

Keep twisting the extractor counterclockwise until you completely remove the screw. ^{[7]
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Research source}

5

Apply penetrating oil for stubborn screws.

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Penetrating oil loosens the screw, making it easier to remove. Add a drop of the oil onto the screw head and around the threads to help make the extractor work better. ^{[8]
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If the screw is attached to non-flammable materials such as metal, try heating it with a torch to expand the metal and make it easier to pull out.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can you use this procedure if screw is just rusted into metal shower door frame?

Community Answer

Yes, use penetrating first. Penetrating oil loosens the rust. Then you should be able to drill the screw.

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Question

The meager instructions included with my Yamo screw extractor kit imply that I first drill a hole using the drill bit, but drill counter clockwise. Is this correct?

Community Answer

There are two kinds of extractors. 1. Self drilling extractors that you simply use on the screw in a reverse direction and it will drill + extract. 2. (The kind you have) where you drill a hole, normally as you would, and then you extract with the extractor in a reverse direction so that it pulls the screw out.

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Question

How do I extract the threaded remnant of a screw that broke inside something?

Community Answer

You could epoxy a small rod or weld it on and twist it out. But depending on what material you're working with, it could be tricky.

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Warnings

Avoid using a screw extractor on screws or bolts longer than 2 inches (5.1 cm) because they could damage the tool. ^{[9]
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Research source}

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[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Expert Source

Barry Zakar
Handyman

[5]

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

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The Best Way to Use a Screw Extractor

Things You Should Know

Steps

Put on safety glasses.

Tap the screw head with a center punch.

Drill out the center of the screw.

Turn the screw extractor counterclockwise.

Apply penetrating oil for stubborn screws.

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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References

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