Replies

1. 
   gdcarpenter | Apr 30, 2003 12:28am | #1

   What I used to do in my days as a mechanic was keep an old broken hacksaw blade, grind most of the teeth away except for a few, and use that to cut a slot for a flat head screwdriver.  You could also drill a hole in the screw and use a screw extractor if you have one of those handy.  All else not available to you, the screw's probably not that tight, a small, sharp chised angled rightly and tapped lightly can usually get the screw turning.

   Fought with too many of those as a mechanic, why I are a carpenter now.

   Good luck!   :)

2. 
   joeh | Apr 30, 2003 01:22am | #2

   If your real lucky maybe a sharp small chisel will get the screw moving. You need to dig into the screw head with a small pointed something, then tap it very gently counter clockwise.  Sometimes it works & sometimes it doesn't.

   Or, centerpunch it accurately and drill the center of the head with a bit slightly larger than the thread diameter. Probably 3/16 would take the head right off leaving just the shank of the screw.

   Joe H

1. 
   bobl | Apr 30, 2003 01:54am | #3

   not sure if this will help, but came across it and filed it away as maybe useful

   have never used one

   http://www.gpistore.com/subcatmfgprod.asp?0=249&1=268&2=-1bobl          Volo Non Voleo      Joe's BT Forum cheat sheet

3. 
   WorkshopJon | Apr 30, 2003 01:56am | #4

   If you have an old file (three corner often works well) and a bench grinder you should be able make a screw extractor of sorts. Files are harder than chisels and when dull useful for all sorts of things. Let me know if you need further info.

   Jon

1. 
   steve | Apr 30, 2003 03:06am | #6

   ps, let us know what worked, thanks

4. 
   steve | Apr 30, 2003 03:03am | #5

   try an automotive supply place for a device called an easy-out. you drill a hole then drive in a lefthand thread tap until the screw/bolt starts turning itself out

   dont know how small they go, but know they work great on engine bolts 

5. 
   rasconc | Apr 30, 2003 03:41am | #7

   Are you sure they have been filed or are they the tamper-proof type?  They do make a tip for those but unless you are working with them a lot you probably do not want one.  The other guy's suggestions should do it.

1. 
   planahead | Apr 30, 2003 04:56pm | #8

   Yes. No doubt they are filed. Thanks for you responce. I'll post what ended up doing the job

1. 
   vanderpooch | Apr 30, 2003 06:02pm | #9

   A trick I used quite a few times when boat building was to drill a shallow hole in the head using a drill just smaller than a #2 square drive. Then tap the square drive bit in for a custom fit. Wouldn't work with drywall screws, but should work with your average hinge screw.

   Edited 4/30/2003 1:38:26 PM ET by VANDERPOOCH

1. 
   planahead | May 12, 2003 10:25pm | #10

   Just a brief note to thank all of you for your tips, and to let you know that I was able to remove the screws using a chisel and a hammer. I tapped on the edge of the screw heads to make them turn. After a couple of turns I was able to grab the heads with pliers to finish unscrewing them. Thanks again!