I'm repairing my favorite chair and one of the screws in the bun feet has gotten mangled. Since it is in a counterbore I don't have a lot of options. Just wondering if these screw extractors work like the description or are a waste of money. Specifically, I'm looking at the x-out or one similar at Sears. Thanks for any comments.
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I got a set of three when they first came out. In most cases, they work well, you just have to exert a lot of downward force for the extractor to get a good bite.
Bruce"Western civilization didn't make all men equal,
Samuel Colt did"
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screw extractors....
To answer your question, yes they work! The key to good screw extraction
is proper sizing of the hole in the broken screw. The best way to do this is to use left hand twist drill bits chucked in your drill and run it in reverse ( turning
left while drilling) when the drilling is done, clean out the drilled chips as
best as possible, insert the screw extractor turning it to the left( reverse
direction) and work the extractor deeper into the screw and it will eventually
back out the broken piece of the screw. hope this helps...eezlock
ps. you can buy sets of extractors with proper sized left twist drill bits in sets,from good tool suppliers ex: WT Tool, Snap-On, Mac or they may be available at Sears etc. eezlockComment
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They work if you can get a hole drilled in the screw. This isn't always easy since the screw frequently torques off and leaves on odd angle on the end of the screw.David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.Comment
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I've got two different types. One type is the type with the drill bit and extractor insert to match. These came in a set, and I keep them together. If you drill the correct hole (the bit for the insert) straight and take your time, the insert will remove it. The other type is a set that has different sizes of extractors that have a reverse tooth arrangement on the end that grabs the screw. This works fairly well if used properly, but not as consistant as the drill bit type. On some screws, especially old slotted screws, centering a hole is the trick.
"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"Comment
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A lot of times even in metal, just the left hand drill will take them out. I have reversers on both my drill presses for that very purpose.Comment
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if any part of the screw's head is left, and if you have an impact driver you might be able to get your screw out with that.Comment
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ok, thanks all. I think I will try the x-outs. The screw isn't broken, I just mangled the phillips head.Comment
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The latest way to get out broken screws is to use a plug cutting bit around the screw. Pull it out and then patch the hole.Bob Bassett from Northwest FloridaComment
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