So I’ve got some rusty old floor screws that I can’t loosen with a Phillips head (they’re old, so I’m betting it’s not posidrv). The notches are all rusted and it hardly bites at all.

If I drill them out, I know I’m in for a hard time but am I better off going for a really fast rotation or slower?

And should I start with a narrow drill bit and work my way up (historically I’ve broken a few doing this in the past) or just begin at the intended diameter?

Yes, in fact I do work with computers - isn’t it obvious?

  • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I’m assuming its a flat, countersunk screw? My usual go-to for removal where it works is to use a dremel cut off wheel to cut a slot and then use a straight bit. given the flush head, this would probably not be acceptable if you care about the wood or whatever at all.

    another option is the extractor bits- the kind that are double ended. The first tip clears out any rough patches on the head into a tapered cone, the second bit bites into the cone and turns. The goal here is to get it high enough that you can get it with pliers and turn it out that way, though depending on how siezed… well, it might take it all the way out. I’ve never had very good success with them, though.

    You might also be able to pound in a torx head bolt that just barely fits. clean it out a little, if you have working space, drop the torx bit in and set it in with a hammer (Not full on nail-swings, mind, but enough the bit bites in,) and then turn it out with an impact wrench.

  • Steven9000@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    So I’m going to assume wood floors? I’m going to note I am not a wood worker but an industrial maintenance mechanic. If you were going to drill it out I would use a left handed drill bit and a small screw extractor. I personally would see if I could find purchase with pliers, or I would weld a bit of steel onto the screw, let it cool down and go to town with a cordless drill using the welded metal as a bit for the drills chuck.

    I’ve only been on Lemmy for about a week and have never really used social media before, if you could add a picture I’m sure that would help.

    If nothing else I believe in you and have nothing but faith in you when you start battling this screw.

    I am sorry for the grammar and punctuation, I was homeschooled and not very well, I’m trying to learn but I’m very slow at learning my writing skills.

    • cccc@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      No need to apologise for those writing skills. You write extremely well.