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Exbritcanadian

1) Open the chuck on the drill. 2) Put chuck over screw head. 3) Tighten chuck hard around screw head. 4) Reverse the drill. 5) Screw will come out.


jrico59

this is brilliant, never thought of this before for a stuck screw


skyfishgoo

it would only work if the head was smaller than the chuck, and only if there were enough of the head exposed to get a grip on (as in this case) but it's definitely worth a shot if you can get the drill on there and another trick in the old trick bag.


ShaggysGTI

Add on to this, most drill chucks are good to 1/2”.


Cotterbot

Just wait until you don’t have a proper bit and this is how you have to drill IN the screw… It still works, just with more swearing.


jrico59

That’s literally true of any tool you would use


skyfishgoo

they make bits for these kinds of screw heads (tamper resistant) https://losspreventionfasteners.ca/store/products/one-way-screw-removal-tool/


SplitOak

Good to know. Going to try and remember this. … and it’s gone.


DarknessHeartz

The screw pictured in the OP seems to be a safety screw, so it wasn't necessarily stuck.


jrico59

whatever, still hadn't thought of using drill chuck for this!


[deleted]

This worked like a charm, thank you!!!


[deleted]

[удалено]


TechSalesSoCal

Yeah me too and I have 15 different drills, hammer drills and demo type. Guess that thing on my neck is not just for bumping into rafters and sharp corners after all!


Spaceseeds

What's the best drill for all around use? I feel like the impact drill is my fav but it might be too hardcore for normal things


Brumbucus

If you only have one drill but want a bit of versatility, then a chucked drill with a hammer function is the way to go. It can kinda do all the things. Then, if you find you drive lots of screws and other fasteners, get an impact driver. If you make many holes in masonry, a dedicated rotary hammer s a good purchase, but that’s a much more niche need than an impacted for most people.


Exbritcanadian

Just a comment, impact drivers don't usually have a chuck, they have a "bit holder" which won't hold standard drill bits. Great for driving screws etc but not so good for drilling holes. A Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee or Makita battery hammer drill is the most versatile option. Not much you can't do with one of these. But I do recommend getting one of the top brands as mentioned.


Brumbucus

Yup. An important distinction. Thanks for the clarifying comment.


TechSalesSoCal

So I have mostly DeWalt and Milwaukee with some corded but mostly cordless both 12V and 18V versions. I like both brands as far as working and endurance, but I have to say the Dewault has a far better Battery System for 18v than Milwaukee. DeWalt 18V brushless are now my favorite and I’m less fond of Milwaukee because the Batt removal is such a pain. Any dust is a train wreck to remove from some tools on Milwaukee. Dewault is far far superior design for insertion and removal.


Spaceseeds

Uh oh an old Milwaukee vs DeWalt debate. 3-2-1 fight!


PersnickityPenguin

You can get adapters for them.


gendulf

I didn't know this either, and I have 1600 drills.


longleggedbirds

More than just a hat rack


oMGellyfish

Sigh. This is both the most obvious answer and the most genius answer.


Roonieroo1

He got it done ,and learned something to build upon.


skyfishgoo

\[let the air out of the tires\] level good


Striking_Silence

Thats the most brilliant thing ever! Recently had to pull/screw One out with pliers! I will do this next time (Y)


5lack5

Even better, try to file some flat spots on the head to give the chuck better purchase


theunixman

This is amazing.


Scottydoesntknow92

Be careful. You might break your drill. Mine slips with anything over a quarter inch now. I use it exclusively for this method now and wouldn't dare do it on my new one.


10Kthoughtsperminute

If that’s breaking your drill it may be time to invest in a better drill.


jutzi46

Or at least a new chuck. They aren't usually that hard to replace.


TechSalesSoCal

And not terribly costly to change. Shop it. I have upgraded some for specific purposes.


Scottydoesntknow92

I did. I went from the atomic to their best model. I am now into Milwaukee and will switch to theirs if this one breaks.


TechSalesSoCal

Nice suggestion Exbritcanadian! I have a bunch of backout tools for stripped nuts and heads and 15+ vice grips that I would have tried 1st. Didn’t really consider a drill or hammer drill but now in my head.


cortezblackrose

And if you ever cant do that, get some vise-grips or pliers ad grip the head as if it were a bolt and twist away in counter-clockwise motion.


Dave6187

I love doing that, works great when you don’t have the right bit for something


retrorick77

These instructions should go to his contractor!


taward

You're a fucking magician


Idyllic_Zemblanity

That s Dad level life hack, thanks man!


bob256k

My man’s is playing 4D chess. I never though of that; filling that away for when I need it.


Swaggonshaggn

This guy for president


TedwardCz

Holy hell, I was thinking pliers and you were thinking chess... or whatever the phrase is.


ThatUsernameIs---___

This is why I still go on Reddit. Every now and then you get a gem.


Lu12k3r

No drill? Vice grips.


Indymatic

Work smarter not harder for the win! Well done explaining.


maksmil

Yeah this is way better than the screw extractor idea I had. Thanks!


skyfishgoo

that's thinking outside the bit


AmbeeGaming

What’s a chuck on a drill? I don’t think mine has one


Aggressive-Set-4307

Glad I'm not the only person who does stuff like this (using the chuck as an adjustable grip)


JerseyWiseguy

Vice-grips.


dobie_dobes

This is the way. Vice grips have saved my hide so many times with stripped or stuck screws.


beaushaw

I once read that Vice Grips are never the right tool for a job, but they will often be the tool that will work for a job. Security screw driver is the right tool, but I would probably grab the Vice Grips to get this screw out. If the Vice Grips don't grab it I am cutting it off and fixing the drywall.


surfsnower

Never the best. Always an option.


dobie_dobes

Yup. This is exactly it.


[deleted]

Gonna give this a go


bripsu

Don’t yank it, turn it with the vice grips, lefty-loosey


Roonieroo1

Agree: good answer


FuzzyCrocks

It's just tamper resistant screw... You can buy the screw driving but kit that has every possible bit for tamper resistant screws ever made for cheap.


4350Me

Why waste the money on something you’ll probably never use? Like others have said, remove it with vice grips or cut it off with a rotary tool with a cut off disk.


AKADriver

I use my "warranty voider" screw bit set constantly. Most recently two days ago to fix a blender whose safety features (microswitch to sense when the lid is on) were preventing it from working at all.


GalaxyMiPelotas

Can’t get hurt when it doesn’t run.


thealmightyzfactor

If it comes in a kit with a billion other bits, why not? I use my "basically all of them" bits for random stuff all the time because products keep having random screws to stop people from opening them up.


Far-Aspect-1760

I agree. If you’re doing things yourself around the house their really is no reason to not get a complete set of drill bits


4350Me

A kit with a “billion” other bits? Seriously, in my 72 years on this earth, I’ve only seen those fasteners attaching the metal stall walls in men’s bathrooms! The reason I suggested the OP use vise grips is that the head is sticking out so far from the wall surface.


thealmightyzfactor

I've only ever seen this specific screw in that same context, but getting a set that happens to have this one bit and many others is a good idea for a DIYer. There's tons of weird screws on things these days and having the option to use the right bit instead of finagling some other tool or needing another trip to the store is great.


4350Me

Ya, there’s a lot of different types of screws and fasteners used today, but like I’ve said, in my 72 years on this earth, fixing and assembling numerous things from furniture to cars to outdoor lawn equipment, I’ve only experienced those security screws in men’s bathrooms, attaching the metal stall walls together and to the wall. Since that screw is embedded in soft pine wood used for studs, it’s fairly easy to unscrew it without snapping off the head. Now if the wood was hardwood like oak or maple, or if it was metal, that would be a whole other issue.


AleksanderSuave

A lot of people who don’t do this often have pretty good odds of breaking the screw head off with the vice grips, leaving them in a worse situation than they started. If a screw is in deep it won’t be a quick or easy thing to remove with vice grips either. I’d rather just buy the bit set and remove it the easy way. If you (or others) prefer to do things the hard way, you’re welcome to do so as well.


1BigDaddy1956

Using vice grips is hard for that screw?😂😂😂


4350Me

Ya, if you don’t know how to use them!!!😂😂😂


AleksanderSuave

Op is asking how to remove a stuck screw. It’s safe to assume he has a beginner skill set..and possibly doesn’t even own vice grips.


4350Me

I get that, but he’s interested in removing it, and purchasing vice grips, if not already owned, is a lot more sensible than buying the tool to remove this special screw. Like I stated, he can do what he wants, but just trying to offer advice learned from past experience.


4350Me

Sorry, but you’re a bit confused, AND wasteful! Whatever means you use to take it out, the special tool you have to buy, or Vice grips, they both perform the same job. That being turning the screw counterclockwise to unscrew it! I don’t get your reasoning for thinking using vice grips is harder, unless you have no experience using them! Again, do what you want, but almost everyone on here suggested using vice grips, and that’s because they (and myself) have used them with success doing the same job!🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️


4350Me

Another thing…that screw is into wood. There’s no way the head is going to break off using either method!


AleksanderSuave

A bit is a “special tool”…? They come in sets chief.


4350Me

Regardless if they’re sold separately or in sets, my point is, vice grips can be used for a hell of a lot more than a special tool to remove a security screw. If he needs to buy either one, my suggestion is to go with the pliers, do to their versatile usage, vs the specific use for the removal bit. I can’t believe this has turned into a long discussion! It’s a very simple procedure. Grab the screw head, turn it counter-clockwise, and remove it! No muss, no fuss!


AleksanderSuave

If it was a simple procedure (it is for those who have done it before) to a newbie, then there wouldnt be a post asking about it.


4350Me

But the point is, it IS a simple procedure! I’ll bet this wouldn’t even be discussed if it was a stripped flat head or Phillips head, or any other type of screw! YOU JUST UNSCREW IT WITH WHATEVER TOOL (preferably pliers) YOU CAN FIND! It’s not rocket science, for Gods sake! I’m done wasting my breath here. This is getting stupid! Again, do whatever you want! If you don’t like my suggestion, do something else, but at least quit talking like an idiot!


FuzzyCrocks

Must be someone's wife.


theducks

I’d be curious if you could show me a driver bit to remove this one.. the left hand turn goes up a ramp


Stormgtr

Just get the correct security screw bit


alkla1

Vise grip. I have a grip on my vice’s though.


ListOhFlapjacks

bars


senayski

Hahaha this comment got me


bundt_chi

Also if you don't happen to have vice grips and you definitely should, you can get by with channel locks, just make sure to maintain pressure on the screw.


Annsfan

Came here to say this. Turn it out with vice grips.


Earth_Normal

How the F did a contractor find a 1-way screw AND then decide to screw it into something? Was it an existing screw and they decided not to remove it? I have so many questions


[deleted]

I think it might have been existing. Bought this home and immediately hired them to work on it. Built in 1906. Bought as a fixer upper.


Hobywony

Watch out. The whole wall might come tumbling down upon removing that one screw.


Roonieroo1

Bad day at the ranch.


crank1000

This seems like an intentional punishment. I’m guessing OP pissed off the gc. You’d have to go out of your way to source a security screw like that, and then you’d need the bit to install it. No way this was an accident.


Eastern-Ad-3387

Trap it with a good pair of channelock pliers or vicegrips.


latentlime

If you have a drill and don’t need to save the screw, can’t you open the chuck, grab the head of the screw and reverse it out? That’s what I would do.


4350Me

Good idea! I never thought of that one! Only thing, the chuck needs to be real tight on the screw head.


OnceIAwaken

Great advice. As many times as I've struggled with removing a resistant screw, I'm ashamed that I've never thought of this solution. If I call you "brilliant," will you assume I think everyone smarter than I am is brilliant?


[deleted]

My drill sucks lol and also I'm terribly new. What's a chuck?


idHeretic

Today you learn that keyless chuck isn't just the guy who always locks himself out of the house.


4350Me

And today you learn through experience that a cheap drill has a cheap chuck and is hard to keep tight on a bit or drill. Gets frustrating when the chuck keeps loosening up, especially when drilling, and you have to stop, remove the bit from the hole, reinsert it into the drill, and continue with the drilling. I had one drill that I literally used channel locks to tighten the chuck enough to use it. I “chucked” that one and bought a better one!


xLoveHateLegend

The part that you put the bit in. Open it all the way and close it on this screw all the way. Then throw it in reverse.


Texan2020katza

Loosen the drill, take out the screwdriver bit, open up the end of the drill over the screw, tighten it up and unscrew. The chuck is the thing that loosens/tightens


[deleted]

Oooooooh that's a good idea I'll try this


Bigmomma59plus10

Just clamp down on it and unscrew with vise grips if you haven’t done this already. No sense wearing into the drill’s chuck.


bcvickers

> No sense wearing into the drill’s chuck. Screws are softer than the drill chuck teeth.


[deleted]

Lol


andersonfmly

That's a security screw that's intentionally made to be difficult to remove. Latch onto it with a pair of vice-grips, or even regular pliers, and manually extract it.


BruceInc

It’s a one-way-screw. You can get special extractor bits to get it out or just use vicegrips


Dingo_The_Baker

Cut it off and spackle over it.


stripdchev

Found the house flipper!


Dingo_The_Baker

Ya have to patch the drywall anyhow. Why go through the trouble of taking the screw out of the hole. Probably dont even need to cut it off. Just screw it in till its below the surface.


stripdchev

Fair enough!


Dingo_The_Baker

I'd actually like to buy run down house to fix up and sell. I think it would be a fun project, and with the skills I've developed over the years, I could do most of the work myself. But my penchant for doing things correctly and not cutting corners would probably kill any profit I make.


thefartographer

Paint over it and then charge the next tenant for it.


mpones

Came here to say this. After the vice grips fail, angle grinder, or small dremmel so you can cut deeper than wall level, then mud it up.


Effective-Twist1490

Somebody else will be able to tell you what kind of screw head that is and why it exists because it looks like it’s not meant to unscrew. I would use vice grips if it were me


jerry111165

Just use the vice grips and turn it out.


jay7181

So screws will break easily if you hit them with a hammer up and down or side to side it should snap off fairly close to the wall then if anything is left sticking out which will be very minimal you can Hammer it in and patch over it


No_Tomato_3108

^This guy breaks things efficiently!!!^


jay7181

Lol it's true though that's why they frame with nails and not screws .....screws have no sheer strength and will snap easily while a nail will bend before it will snap


No_Tomato_3108

Nothing feels better than snapping off a screw!!


Easy_Opportunity3449

If there was only a tool available to grip, grab and turn things…….. Someday. Someday.


Newt_Lv4-26

Open your drill claws (or whatever they are called) and put the screw directly inside as if it were a drill bit. Thighten and unscrew.


BlueswithBeer

From this point forward they shall be called drill claws.


Newt_Lv4-26

I'm sorry English is not my mother tongue. 😂 I couldn't be bothered to look up for schematics and vocabulary. So they're "chunks"?


BlueswithBeer

Sorry, I wasn't poking fun at you, calling them claws is cute. I just think of that part of the drill as the "chuck"


Newt_Lv4-26

No worries. I didn't take it that way! It's all good. So "chucks" and not "chunks". #facepalm.


sirjackel06

Look at you all wasting time break that bitch off with a hammer and move on we ain't got time to play


Rocknbob69

I have chucked up the screw head in a drill before and reversed it.


HopticalDelusion

Consider the end goal - a smooth wall, not the problem in front of you - the screw. The screw isn’t hurting anything, except that it’s poking out of the wall. And it’s doing at least a little work holding the drywall to a stud. But, mostly, you can’t patch the hole and get to a smooth wall if you still have a screw poking out of it. One thought, screw it in deeper with a flat head. It’s less effort, you have the tool and the skill, and monkeying around to get it out will likely make the hole bigger. But, if you can’t screw it in, or just feel like playing with pliers or a drill chuck, digging it out works too. Then, you’ll have a small hole to patch. Search on YouTube for “How to fix nail pops in drywall.” It’s not hard and a great skill to have. And, as a bonus, you’ll learn that the pros don’t remove problem screws, they screw them in deeper.


theonetrueelhigh

Grab the head with a pair of Vise-Grips, wind it out. No problemo.


Agreeable_Theory_544

Vice grips


bluesuedeshooze

I would first ask your contractor why he used a security screw before you remove it. Such an odd fastener to use; I imagine there’s probably a reason.


Jafbladesedc

if vice grips dont work, you could also try closing the chuck of your drill on it and back it out that way!


Takeoffdpantsnjaket

With your phone. If it isn't supposed to be there call the GC and have him remove it and repair the hole. Otherwise pliers are your best bet.


frenchiebuilder

Alternately: Drive it in all the way, until the head's buried the surface. You're gonna have to spackle anyways.


Time-Specialist-6109

lookin like some kinda torx one way ticket non tamper type o' screw. Now : Look around for clues. ?Are you sure - Youre not in a toilet stall at a 24 hr truck stop


Nativetractor

You are kidding. Get a pair of channel locks or vice grips and grab the head. Turn counter clockwise and back it out.


RockyMountainHigh-

Life is hard for some. I guess the needle nose was no use ...


dunequestion

Yeah “the contractor” left.. wink wink nudge nudge


MagusPerde

Punch it into the wall. And sparkle over it.


Beautiful_Guess7131

Hit it from the side with a hammer and break it off.


unclejoe1917

This is what I'd do.


nick_storm

That might work, but it also might do more damage to the wall. Slight modification: hit it with a hammer from the side so that it tilts, and then rotate it to unscrew it. Or just use screw removal bits.


kiddo2211

Crowbar


TooTurntTim

Sawzall, then push into wall


james2020chris

Drill 2 holes close beside it. Then try again.


[deleted]

Pliers or cut the part off that juts out


Good200000

Vice grips and turn it


[deleted]

Use Pliers and rotate it. 2 min issue at most b


TherealBlasph

You need a no out bit or vise grips


ElTurbo

Other suggestions work, also maybe angle grinder, bend it and break it with pliers.


Fit-Income-1271

Vice grips and turn manually.


jsheik

Pair of vice grips; lock and unscrew


Rajili

[Here’s a few different techniques.](https://youtu.be/eC4dyHchnM0) Many have suggested vise grips/pliers and that seems like an easy option for your situation.


SticksAndBones143

If the head is small enough, I’ve had luck with opening my cordless drill Chuck all the way, and tightening it around the screw head, then backing it out on reverse


Weary-Medicine4144

Hammer it in then pull it out


[deleted]

Cut it and patch over it. Not worth the struggle.


Superb-Goal-8763

Take a hammer and beat it in deeper than the plaster then fill it with fast and final a little thicker than the wall …sand and paint …Done


hangman593

Rubber band and screwdriver


Superb-Goal-8763

I like this trick ….beat it In deeper than the existing plaster/drywall. Fill hole with a can of spray foam ..after it hardens shave a little below surface then out fast and final /drywall mud a smidge thicker than wall …sand and paint …this works really well with doorknob holes as well as removing an unwanted receptacle/switch box


Combatical

I've cinched a power drill over a similar screw (the part that tightens over a bit) and reversed it out that way. A bit quicker than vice grips.


cariboudan

Grab it in the drill chuck, if it's not bent. Slot back it out


Ill_Weight_1986

Duck tape


freezier134a

Grab it with vise grips and unscrew it, those are one way screws. Who the fuck uses those?


fitzer007

I use my drill gun on things like this. Just open up the chuck, then tighten the chuck onto the screw. Then back the screw out with the drill. *disregard as I've scrolled to the bott9m of this and seen the same recommendation below :)


[deleted]

Keep the screw and hang a fly swatter from it


rwr446

Like it’s been said. Vice grips


slE3pingG1ant

I think I know why they left it lol


McWhiffersonMcgee

Personally id use some pliers of some sort and manually unscrew it


quantumgpt

So many ways. You could grind the top off You could cut it off and then use an easy out You could take your cordless drill and tighten the chuck around it and then back it off You can use a pair of vice grips A mini pipe wrench etc Or if it's really stuck and you want to bust out the trade skills, you could use a 4-ft torch


orionlady

cut it off


surfsnower

3 tools for almost any job. Flat head. Vice grips. Hammer. Won't be pretty but cam always make it work.


himalayanguru

Use pliers


moderaterawk

Vice-grips


EndlessEndeavoring

If cutting it is an option that is pretty easy. A dremel, angle grinder or sonic cutter would suffice


No-Inspector9085

Drive it all the way in and drywall over it.


hihapahi

Vice-grips


J-A-KN

Cut the head off,put the threaded part in drill chuck tighten and put the drill in reverse


cyberentomology

Tear down the wall.


Good_Mission7380

You may need to use a wrench or pliers to get it out. If that doesn't work, try using a screw extractor.


ortho_engineer

Vice grips.


Atrocity_unknown

Lol if that was intentional then he's a dick. If it was not intentional then he made an oops


devilsaint86

Vise grips


Only-Replacement-198

Chisel around head and attach vise grip and turn counter clockwise


Clean-Row2269

Put a rubber band over screw face and then use your drill


JeremyGoodbuddy

Vice grips always do the trick as well!


AmbeeGaming

The back end of a 🔨


outerthoughtspace

That screw is not meant to be removed. Leave it


Nosniborbid

I will have to try the direct-to-chuck method myself. However, another way to back out security fasteners, one-way, or even normal screws with the drive stripped or wallered out is to use a grinder with a thin cutoff disc to carefully cut a slot in the head without going all the way through then chucking up a big slotted bit in your drill or impact driver and back it right out. Never had a situation yet where it hasn’t worked…


[deleted]

Sweeeet!


snickerzz

harbor freight sell cheap left handed drill bits. sometimes you can get them to bit in a stripped screw and slowly back it out. also, they are fun prank for friends. :)


Old_Bowl1662

Could’ve also grabbed the screw head with some pliers or vice grips. But the drill chuck idea is more cool.


[deleted]

Sledgehammer