Extracting a stripped screw

[LazyEngineer]

My wife severely stripped a phillips-head screw that is attached to a stud in our garrage. I really need this thing out. Suggestions?

 

[OrangeBlooded]

severe as in the the "cross" in the screw looks like a circle? if it isn't that bad, you may have to go purchase an ultra duty philips head. depends on the severity. I also take it that it can't be removed with a socket either?

 

[lnghrninlubbock]

I found a good trick for this very thing. Get a very small drill bit, and drill a little hole right in the center of the screw head. Then screw out normally with your phillips head screw driver. The hole gives the screw driver enough purchase to usually remove the screw easily. Hope this helps.

 

[BigWill]

use a hack saw blade to cut a groove through the head, and use a flat head screwdriver.

 

[BigWill]

or simply pry it out with a crowbar/claw hammer.

 

[MulletHorn]

Sears makes a bunch of different screw extractors.

Screw Extractor

 

[EEE]

if you can get vice-grips around it that should do it.

 

[KMcCoy33]

I will second the Sears thing. I had to go buy a set of these at Sears to get some stripped screws out. You can get a set of 4 for about $15 I think. It is a little expensive if you just have one screw that you need out, but if you aren't bad about losing stuff like that, they are good to have cause you never know when you might need them.