Skip to main content

Free Shipping on Domestic Orders $75+

How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw

What you need

    1. How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw, How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 1, image 1 of 1
      • Use an angle grinder to grind the tip of the broken screw until its surface is smooth and even.

      Ask FixBot

      Add Comment

    2. How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 2, image 1 of 2 How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 2, image 2 of 2
      • Place a center punch in the middle of the tip of the screw.

      • Use a hammer to hit the center punch to make a dent in the center of the embedded screw.

      Ask FixBot

      Add Comment

    3. How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 3, image 3 of 3
      • Place a center drill bit in the dent made in the previous step and start drilling until it expands enough to fit the standard drill bit inside it.

      • Always keep the drill bit at a 90 degree angle to the surface of the screw since tilting it can bend and break its tip.

      Ask FixBot

      Add Comment

    4. How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 4, image 3 of 3
      • Make a hole in the tip of the screw by drilling with a standard drill bit.

      • Keep drilling until the hole reaches near the end of the screw.

      Ask FixBot

      Add Comment

    5. How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 5, image 1 of 2 How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 5, image 2 of 2
      • Insert a screw extractor in the hole and then hammer it inside, making sure it is tight.

      Ask FixBot

      Add Comment

    6. How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 6, image 1 of 3 How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 6, image 2 of 3 How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 6, image 3 of 3
      • Using a wrench, unscrew the extractor.

      • The screw will come along with it, freeing the hole.

      Ask FixBot

      Add Comment

    7. How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 7, image 1 of 2 How to Remove a Broken and Embedded Screw: step 7, image 2 of 2
      • Screw the new screw inside the freed hole.

      Ask FixBot

      Add Comment

Finish Line

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

4 other people completed this guide.

1 Guide Comment

It all sounds great, but... It didn't work. I have a Porter-Cable older router. The first screw in the base came out without a problem, and the other 2 screws wouldn't budge. I tried various penetrating oils and nothing. I drilled one of the screws and tried an extractor...nothing. I cut off the screw and drilled clean through, then tried the extractor again...nothing. So, what's left of the screw is drilled out, won't budge with a hole, and is laughing at me.

Although I haven't tried it yet, I was going to cut of the base, leaving the screw intact, getting some vise grips and try to twist it out.

Any other ideas??

frustrated home improvement - Reply Share

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 12

Past 7 Days: 93

Past 30 Days: 455

All Time: 21,578