How to Get a Broken Screw out: Easy DIY Methods

Every DIYer has snapped a screw at the worst possible moment — halfway through a deck build, during an appliance repair, or right before guests arrive. How to get a broken screw out depends on whether the head sheared off flush, whether it is still protruding, and whether the screw is in wood, metal, or plastic. The wrong method turns a five-minute fix into a three-hour nightmare. This guide walks through seven proven techniques in order of invasiveness, starting with the simplest and moving toward the heavy-duty extraction tools you only break out for the worst cases.

Before You Start — Assess the Damage

Look at what you actually have. A screw with the head intact but stripped is a totally different problem from one where the entire shaft has sheared off below the surface. Check for:

• Head still visible with stripped or damaged drive recess
• Head still visible but snapped off under rotational force
• Shaft broken below the surface of the material
• Head corroded or rusted in place
• Screw embedded in wood, metal, or plastic (affects which method works)

The right starting method depends entirely on what is left sticking out.

Method 1: Rubber Band Trick (Stripped Head, Still Visible)

Place a wide rubber band over the screw head, press a Phillips or flathead driver firmly into the rubber, and turn slowly counter-clockwise. The rubber fills the stripped recess and restores grip. This works about 60% of the time on lightly stripped screws and costs nothing. Always try this first.

Method 2: Impact Driver with a Fresh Bit

A manual or electric impact driver delivers rotational force in short bursts rather than steady pressure, which re-engages partially stripped drives. Use a fresh, high-quality bit — the Dewalt FlexTorq or Bosch Impact Tough bits are far better than what ships with most driver sets. Apply heavy downward pressure and pulse the driver in short bursts.

Method 3: Pliers or Vise-Grips (Head Protruding)

If the head is raised at least 1/16 inch above the surface, locking pliers (Vise-Grips) grip the shoulder of the head and turn it out. Clamp hard, rock back and forth gently to break any seized threads, then rotate counter-clockwise. A pair of 6-inch curved-jaw Vise-Grips costs $15-$22 and pays for itself on the first extraction.

Method 4: Left-Handed Drill Bit

Left-handed drill bits rotate counter-clockwise, meaning they bite into the screw material while also unscrewing it. Set your drill to reverse, start with a 1/16 inch pilot hole in the centre of the broken screw, and step up through 3/32 and 1/8 inch sizes. About half the time, the bit grabs and spins the screw out before you even reach a full-size hole.

A basic left-handed bit set from Irwin or Dewalt runs $15-$30 for a 5-piece set. Keep them in your toolbox — they solve more problems than any other specialty bit.

Method 5: Screw Extractor (EZ-Out)

Screw extractors like the Grabit Pro or Irwin Hanson are double-ended bits. One end drills a pilot hole; the other end has reverse-spiral teeth that bite and back out the screw. Use a drill set to reverse, press firmly, and let the extractor do the work.

1. Drill a pilot hole with the drilling end, 1/4 inch deep
2. Flip the bit to the extractor end
3. Set the drill to reverse and low speed
4. Apply firm downward pressure and let the teeth grab
5. The screw should back out in 3-5 seconds

A 6-piece extractor kit costs $25-$45 and handles screws from #6 to #14. For professional work, add the Speedout Pro kit at $35 — its hardened teeth bite into Grade 8 bolts where cheaper extractors skate.

Method 6: Drill and Bore It Out

If nothing else works and the screw is in wood, drilling the screw entirely out is often the fastest path. Select a drill bit slightly smaller than the screw shank diameter, drill down the centre of the screw, and the threads eventually give way. In wood, you can then plug the hole with a wooden dowel, glue, and drill a fresh pilot hole for a replacement screw.

For metal, this method requires proper cutting oil and a cobalt or titanium-coated bit to avoid burning the bit before it finishes the job.

Method 7: Heat and Tap

For seized screws in metal (especially older cars, appliances, or rusted outdoor fittings), heat the area around the screw with a propane torch or a hot air gun for 30-60 seconds. The surrounding metal expands slightly, breaks the rust bond, and releases the seized threads. Follow immediately with a tap from a punch to shock the threads loose, then try extraction methods 3-5 above.

Never use heat near flammable materials, plastic, or painted finishes you want to save.

Tools Worth Owning

• Irwin Hanson Spiral Screw Extractor set — $30
• Dewalt Impact Driver with Impact Tough bit set — $120 combo
• 6-inch Vise-Grip locking pliers — $18
• Left-handed drill bit set (5-piece) — $20
• Cobalt drill bit set for metal work — $25
• Wide rubber bands — free from any produce section

When to Give Up and Call a Pro

Broken screws inside engine blocks, precision tools, or anything involving structural fasteners should go to a machinist. A professional with a proper drill press, heat tools, and EDM (electrical discharge machining) equipment can remove screws that DIY tools cannot touch. Expect $40-$120 per screw depending on complexity and location.

For furniture, deck building, and general home repair, the seven methods above handle over 95% of broken screws you will encounter.

Prevention for Next Time

1. Pre-drill pilot holes in hardwood and dense plywood
2. Use a clutch-equipped drill set below maximum torque
3. Match driver bits to screw heads — Torx grips harder than Phillips
4. Wax screw threads on heavy fasteners for easier future removal
5. Replace worn driver bits every 100-200 screws

Final Word

Figuring out how to get a broken screw out rarely requires a trip to a machine shop. Start with a rubber band, move up through Vise-Grips, and only break out the screw extractor kit for the worst cases. Own the right tools — a left-handed bit set and an extractor kit together cost under $60 — and you will handle every broken screw that comes your way without losing an afternoon. Patience and the right method beat brute force every time.