I've got a frustrating situation here: I've got a screw stuck in a stud, sandwiched between a shelf bracket and the wall. None of the usual tricks are working because there's barely any room to maneuver. To make matters worse, the screw head is stripped, and even my attempts with various drills and the rubber band method have failed. I can't use a saw to cut it off either, since there's no space behind the screw. Pulling and twisting the shelf bracket only gives me a slight bit of wiggle, but it hasn't helped in removing the screw. I'm at my wit's end here after working on this for 8 hours! Is there any other way to get this screw out without tearing into the drywall?
2 Answers
Sounds like a tough spot! I faced something similar, and what worked for me was using just a hacksaw blade to cut the screw. I taped one end for safety – make sure to use a thin blade that can fit in. If you can get a thin blade behind it, it might do the trick! Good luck!
I wonder why the stripped screw remover isn't working. Maybe it's not the right size? Have you tried drilling a hole into the end of the damaged screw? That could help the extractor grip better and get that thing out!
We've tried drilling into it with different bits, but the extractor just won’t get enough grip to turn it. We've gone through all sizes, and it’s just not sticking!
Definitely! If cutting is the only option left, you could also consider getting an oscillating tool with a metal blade, or using a mini hacksaw that might fit better in tight spaces. Just the blade can work if you're careful!