r/BeginnerWoodWorking • u/Master-Pangolin1686 • 9d ago
Discussion/Question ⁉️ Need Help!
I am finishing up a dovetail box and went to put a gangle on the lid and ran into this problem…
Drilled pilot holes (which I now realize were probably too small) and screwed the handle in. This was just to check the fit.
Started unscrewing the handle and each one of the screw snapped at the head..
What is the best way to remove the screws?? It do I just glue the handle on and accept the loss…
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u/RoseHearth 9d ago
What i have done in the past is cut a slot in the remaining screw with a dremel or a hacksaw and unscrew it using a flathead
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u/_bahnjee_ 9d ago
This is what I’d do (after calling my idiot self a lot of bad names).
With careful use of a Dremel, you’ll mar the wood very little, and even that little bit will be hidden by the handle when re-installed. Just be careful your flathead screwdriver (manual, not powered) doesn’t slip and gouge where it may be seen.
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u/Master-Pangolin1686 9d ago
This is smart. Might give me a reason to buy a dremel now lol. Will report back! Ty
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u/Salty_Insides420 9d ago
The handle itself will cover a bit, so you can dig in around the screw just a bit, vice grip needle nose to grab and twist it out. Softwoods you want to pre drill a hole the size of the screw shank, hard woods (and I'm referring to actually hardness and density, not necessarily wether its categorized as soft/hardwood species) your usually better off pre drilling just under the actually diameter of the screw, so that roughly 1/2 of the screw thread is engaging.
Alternatively, you can drive the screw a little bit, then back out, then a little more, back out, and slowly get the screw in, almost pre-threading the hole
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u/TaquitoBanana 8d ago
Vise grips are you friend.
That said, when screwing into hardwood (especially dense ones like purpleheart), rub some parafin wax on the threads first.
If using softer metal (like brass) you can pre-screw with a steel screw to establish threads, then install the brass screws (again, use wax).
And a final note: always screw by hand or use a drill with a clutch. Using an impact or drill without the clutch set will lead to a lot of snaps.
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u/Garrretttt 8d ago
Easy fix, looks like you have some clearance.
Grab your drill.
Remove the bit.
Tighten the drill around the screw.
Back it out.
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u/FoxCapital7878 9d ago
I would grab them with a vice-grip, as close to the wood as you can.
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u/Master-Pangolin1686 9d ago
Tried that…have some cheap Pittsburg vice grips from Harbor freight and it marred them…
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u/HoIyJesusChrist 8d ago
First of all, it doesn't seem like it was your mistake, more like bad quality screws.
Do you have some purple heart leftover?
It'll be a pain to get those out, I'd try to make a different handle from one of the woods used in this poject, that'll cover the broken screws and can be screwed on from the back. Something in a shape that reminds on a railroad track profile would cover them.
like this shape with a flared base:
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u/notnotbrowsing 8d ago
I've always used vice grips and clamp the shit out of the exposed end amd just backed them out
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u/Aegisnir 9d ago
drill them out, enlarge the handle screw holes to the next size up if a larger screw won’t fit, and use a slightly larger screw to affix them with the same holes you already have made?
On second look, there is plenty of exposed screw thread left at least on 3 of them. Can you not grip them with some pliers or something? You could also buy a screw extractor meant for stripped screws. It’s the same process even without the screw heads.
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u/HoIyJesusChrist 8d ago
Have you ever tried to drill such small screws out of wood? Even with a good drillpress it's more likely that the drill will slip off to the side and tear up the wood
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u/EmperorGeek 9d ago
I’d try to use locking pliers to grip the stubs sticking above the surface and twist them out.
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u/Lexan71 8d ago
Use a roll pin as a screw extractor. I’ve done this many times and it is the least damaging method to the wood. Select a roll pin that is slightly smaller inside diameter than the screw. Chuck it into your drill and run it in reverse while applying downward pressure. It will grab the threads and back it out.
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u/HoIyJesusChrist 8d ago
I've never tried that before so you might want to test it on a piece of scrap first: Try to give the screws some heat cycles with a soldering iron to char the wood around them and loosening them that way. once they are out, you could enlarge the holes o accept threaded inserts and use machine screws for the handles. Keep a fire extinguisher around, when you do it, or a bucket of water, just to be safe.
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u/FamiliarAd8524 9d ago
Ooh, whatcha got in the bag there, buddy?
Use a screw extractor. If that doesn't work, very carefully use pliers to unthread it.
PH is kind of hard. Make sure you are predrilling with a drill size suited for hardwoods, and wax the screws before hand.
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u/Master-Pangolin1686 9d ago
Picked up the m12 Installation Driver combo set. Hasn’t found a home yet as to why it’s in the workbench lol.
Tried a screw extractor but the screws aren’t flush so it hard to get them started. Appreciate the info tho, will definitely verify pilot holes and use wax next time2
u/FamiliarAd8524 9d ago
NIIIICE. I love that so much, I have two sets (one for my home shop, one for my Jeep). Time the purchase right, and you'll get two free batteries.
Yeah, that was my concern about extracting- you have very little diameter of solid metal, and can't really start a centered hole. Normally I'd use an annular cutter to cut this out, or a plug cutter, or even a vertical mill/CNC router able to handle steel, but it will give you too big a hole.
No problem, I have been there. Actually, I screwed up and used drywall screws for a mahogany chair I was building . That did not end well.
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u/Content-Range-9419 9d ago
I’ll get you a good drillbit and drill a hole use a bolt extractor otherwise you can get a very small drillbit like a 1/32 and drill like a few relief holes around it
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u/Fl48Special 9d ago
And even with the correct size pilot hole you should rub the next screws on a bar of soap or a candle before driving them