| There is one of many major mistakes that novice | | | | you went to great lengths to fix it that you can |
| and/or impatient do it your selfer's make. That's | | | | actually buy a broken screw extractor at the |
| forgetting to make the hole for the screw. Cutting | | | | hardware store just for this reason. Let's face it |
| corners time wise can lead to a whole lot more work. | | | | there really isn't much you can't buy nowadays is |
| Fortunately, in this circumstance though this is fixable. | | | | there. This handy little gadget is just a little metal |
| If you are putting your screws, into something like | | | | tube that teeth have been cut out of in one end. |
| softwood and you are using drywall or decking | | | | You just have to attach the extractor into the drill. |
| screws, which you can sometimes get away with, | | | | Then what it will do is take a core sample from |
| but if they break then you are going to have a | | | | around the broken screw. |
| problem on your hands. If you are not really adept at | | | | Then you glue a wood dowel into place and simple |
| using an electric drill to insert your screws, you need | | | | put in a new screw over the repair. |
| to be careful at what you are doing. For example if | | | | Perhaps if you really haven't got the time or energy |
| you just happen to angle that drill a little to the side | | | | to run out to the hardware store for an extractor |
| the wrong way then you will most likely strip the | | | | then you can do the repair the old-fashioned way. |
| head of the screw. So now what? Well there is a | | | | Just cut around the screw until you are able to grab |
| solution. | | | | the head of it with a pair of pliers. Then one you |
| If you are having a good day and this happens | | | | have removed the broken screw you need to repair |
| hopefully, it's above the surface that you were | | | | the damage you created when digging it out. Just drill |
| screwing into. Then it is easily enough rectified by | | | | this area out and insert a plug according to the size |
| using a pair or vice grips to grab the end of the | | | | of the hole. |
| screw and wind it out of the hold. If on the other | | | | If it's a hinge screw that broke then you can simply |
| hand it has broken beneath the surface chances are | | | | epoxy the head into the hole. |
| you would be better to just leave it there. Patch | | | | In the end, though the best fix is the preventative |
| over the hole and start a new hole in a fresh spot. | | | | one. Learn how to drill and insert your screws |
| If you have no choice but to remove the screw then | | | | correctly and take your time. You will find in the end |
| there are few things you can do. If you have done | | | | that you have saved yourself a whole of time by |
| this in the past then you may have discovered after | | | | not having to do the repairs. |