By Alexa Erickson
No matter the quality of your screw or how handy you are at DIY projects, all screws are subject to stripping. Screws typically get stripped when they have been screwed in and out too much over time or have been continuously overtightened. Other times, it’s simply improper technique and incorrect tools used when adding a screw or adjusting it that beat it down. When a screw is stripped, the slots in the head of the screw have worn out, making it seemingly impossible to get it out of wherever it’s stuck.
If you’re dealing with a stripped screw, you’ll need to remove it. The following are different methods to get the job done, in order of what to try first. While trying these methods, be sure not to force anything if the screw won’t budge. Doing so can further strip the screw or damage the wood around it.
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