# Fixing a Marred Screw Head? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 7, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046 "2013-04-07T00:26:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/1 "2013-04-07T00:26:53Z")
Are there any tips/tricks to fix a marred screw head so the screwdriver can grab it? Awhile back, I recall there being a powder, akin to a graphite lubricant, used to fill a marred screw head to help the screwdriver grip. I also recall it wasn’t the perfect solution. Surely, there must be something to interface between the two to grip? Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/2 "2013-04-07T00:34:42Z")
> **[How to Remove a Stripped Screw: 10 Easy Techniques to Try](https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Stripped-Screw)** > > Learn about the best hacks and tools to use when you can't get a screw out Does your screwdriver keep slipping when you're trying to remove an old screw? Chances are the slots on the screw head are stripped and your screwdriver can't find... > **[The 12 Best Ways to Remove Stripped Screws](http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/02/the-12-best-ways-to-remove-stripped-screws/)** > > Today I found out twelve ways to remove a stripped screw.  We’ve all been there; trying to void a warranty or otherwise take something apart and you go to take that one last screw off and invariably it strips.  Now what?  You can... > **[The Best Ways to Remove Stripped Screws](https://lifehacker.com/how-to-remove-screws-with-stripped-heads-5901738)** > > Our first round of suggestions comes from the DIY experts at Stack Exchange. ---
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/3 "2013-04-07T00:36:53Z")
In my long experience, once a screw is “marred” ( not a term I’m familiar with ) it must be destroyed to get it out. I either drill it out, or use a diamond point chisel to rotate it till it can be gripped with mole grips. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/4 "2013-04-07T01:14:41Z")
Companies make special bits intended to help remove a stripped screw head. I’ve found that those tend to be the easiest way to remove a stripped screw. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/5 "2013-04-07T01:16:47Z")
If there is enough “meat” left, you can use a Dremel with a cut-off wheel to make a new slot. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/6 "2013-04-07T04:39:56Z")
If it is already out at least a quarter inch and there is clearance, I have tightened down the chuck of a cordless drill onto some and then backed them right on out. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/7 "2013-04-07T06:40:28Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > If there is enough “meat” left, you can use a Dremel with a cut-off wheel to make a new slot. This. I do this so often I keep a diamond cut off wheel in my cordless drill accessory bag. I need to put the dremel cutoff wheels in there because they work so much better. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/8 "2013-04-07T08:15:05Z")
And the most important: never use a screw twice, and replace your scewbit in time. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/9 "2013-04-07T08:26:28Z")
[EZ-outs](http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc-screw-extractor-set-w-vinyl/p-00966196000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1), or cutting slots into the head with a Dremel, but I think of these as the option of last resort. Have done both to great effect though. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/10 "2013-04-07T11:38:11Z")
I read this as ‘Fixing a Married Screw Head’, and now I’m slightly disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/11 "2013-04-07T12:24:10Z")
Ain’t nobody knows how to fix _that_, brah. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/12 "2013-04-07T12:47:56Z")
> [@The\_Librarian](#): > > And the most important: never use a screw twice, and replace your scewbit in time. Depends on the screw and what it’s sunk in. A quality screw with a torx head can be reused 5 or 10 times. I’ll buy the [Power Pro Outdoor Wood Screws](http://www.amazon.com/Hillman-Fastener-967735-Outdoor-Screw/dp/B000RMS0LW) from Ace and routinely take them in an out. They’ll hold down a temporary straight edge, work as gluing clamps, and are good for making jigs. A square drive head can hold up better than a phillips head or slot head, but not always. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/13 "2013-04-07T23:46:17Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > I read this as ‘Fixing a Married Screw Head’, and now I’m slightly disappointed. Me, too. Dang. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/14 "2013-04-08T02:37:47Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > I read this as ‘Fixing a Married Screw Head’, and now I’m slightly disappointed. I read it that way too. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/15 "2013-04-08T02:42:14Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > I read this as ‘Fixing a Married Screw Head’, and now I’m slightly disappointed. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Me, too. Dang. > [@sahirrnee](#): > > I read it that way too. there are counseling services. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/16 "2013-04-08T03:30:22Z")
As others have said upstream, just drill 'em out. IME, one advantage to this method is I’m less likely to mar the surrounding surface when the bit slips out of the marred screw head. As always on the SDMB, YMMV ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/17 "2013-04-08T10:55:26Z")
[QUOTE=Filbert] I read this as ‘Fixing a Married Screw Head’, and now I’m slightly disappointed. [/QUOTE] [Bloodless castrators](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodless_castrator) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-a-marred-screw-head/655046/18 "2013-04-08T13:30:54Z")
If the head is proud of the surface of the material, you may be able to lock the jaws of a vise-grip on it and slowly back it out.