How To Remove A Stripped Allen Screw: 11 Fast & Easy Tricks

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Remove a Stripped Allen Screw PDF download Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Use a Torx wrench instead. 2 Put a rubber band on the screw head. 3 Apply friction drops to your allen wrench. 4 Grip the screw head with channel-lock pliers. 5 Strike the screw with a hammer and screwdriver. 6 Tap the screw counterclockwise with a center punch. 7 Epoxy an old allen wrench to the bolt. 8 Cut a slot in the screw head with an angle grinder. 9 Try a screw extractor. 10 Drill the screw out. 11 Heat the screw to loosen it. + Show 8 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Written by Gino Colucci | Edited by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 Fact Checked

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This article was written by Gino Colucci and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Gino Colucci is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Crackerjacks Handyman Services (not a licensed contractor) in Chandler, Arizona. Crackerjacks Handyman Services offers an effective cost-saving solution for commercial and residential repair and maintenance needs, specializing in smaller projects. Crackerjacks Handyman Services carries liability insurance and all technicians go through a background check. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 527,168 times.

Taking out an allen screw or bolt is as simple as finding a wrench (or key) that’s the right size. But what can you do if your wrench still feels loose and doesn’t grip the screw? While an allen screw has a tapered top and an allen bolt has a cylindrical top, you can easily remove both of them with tools and supplies you probably have around your home. Keep reading for all the best tips and tools to try so you can get that pesky screw or bolt out!This article is based on an interview with our home improvement specialist, Gino Colucci, owner of Crackerjacks Handyman Services. Check out the full interview here.

Steps

1

Use a Torx wrench instead.

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  1. The star shape of a Torx wrench gets more grip on the screw head. The star shape of a Torx wrench gets more grip on the screw head. A Torx wrench has a bit shaped like a 6-pointed star, and you probably have one if you have a tool kit at home. Choose a Torx wrench with a bit that’s slightly larger than the hole, and push it in firmly. Then, just turn the wrench counterclockwise to get the stripped allen-head screw out.[1]
    • If you don’t have a Torx wrench, you can buy a set from your local hardware store or online.
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2

Put a rubber band on the screw head.

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  1. A layer of rubber adds a bit more traction to your allen wrench. A layer of rubber adds a bit more traction to your allen wrench. Try to find a wide rubber band that completely covers the hex hole on the screw. Then, push your allen wrench into the hex hole so it fits firmly. Try unscrewing the bolt or screw as you normally would to see if you get enough grip to remove it.[2]
    • If you don’t have a rubber band, a disposable rubber glove works well in a pinch.
3

Apply friction drops to your allen wrench.

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  1. Friction drops give your allen wrench extra grip if it has a loose fit. Friction drops give your allen wrench extra grip if it has a loose fit. Friction drops are made from a solution with fine-grit metal powder that fills in the gaps between your wrench and the stripped hex hole. Put a drop or two of the friction drops inside of the hex hole and push your allen wrench in. Wiggle the allen wrench a few times to help the friction drops catch before unscrewing the screw.[3]
    • You can buy friction drops online or from your local hardware store.
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4

Grip the screw head with channel-lock pliers.

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  1. Pliers work best to remove a stripped allen bolt with a raised head. Pliers work best to remove a stripped allen bolt with a raised head. Channel-lock pliers stay secure when you close the jaws so they won't loosen up or slip. Clamp the jaws of the pliers around the top of the screw head.[4] Try to turn the screw or bolt counterclockwise until it loosens up.
    • Channel-lock pliers are in most tool kits, but you can buy them from a hardware store.
5

Strike the screw with a hammer and screwdriver.

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  1. The shock from... The shock from the hammer can loosen the screw to get it out. Choose a screwdriver with a bit that fits into the hex hole on the stripped screw or bolt. Start by tapping the bottom of the screwdriver’s handle lightly. Slowly hit with more force to loosen up the screw so it’s easy to remove by hand.
    • Put on a pair of safety glasses in case any pieces of metal break off of the screw.
    • Thin or delicate materials are more likely to break when you hit them, so try out another way to remove the screw or bolt.
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6

Tap the screw counterclockwise with a center punch.

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  1. A center punch can catch on the screw head and help unscrew it. A center punch can catch on the screw head and help unscrew it. A center punch has a pointed end that’s spring-loaded. Place the bit on a flat part of the screw head so the sharp end of the punch points to the left. Pull up on the center punch’s spring and let go to apply force to the screw. It may take a few tries, but the bit will catch in the screw head so it turns the screw with each hit.[5]
    • If you can’t get the screw to turn just by using the spring, try tapping the back of the punch’s handle with a hammer.
7

Epoxy an old allen wrench to the bolt.

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  1. It's easy to unscrew a stripped allen screw with the wrench attached to it. It's easy to unscrew a stripped allen screw with the wrench attached to it. Use an allen wrench that you don’t mind getting rid of since you won’t be able to remove it. Mix a 2-part epoxy and spread it in the hex hole and onto the end of the allen wrench. Press the allen wrench into the hole and let the epoxy set completely for 1–2 days. Once it’s dry, just turn the allen wrench counterclockwise to remove the screw.[6]
    • You can buy epoxy from your local hardware store.
    • Be careful not to get the epoxy anywhere on the surface around the screw head to make sure it doesn’t get stuck in place.
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8

Cut a slot in the screw head with an angle grinder.

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  1. A new slot lets you get the screw out with a flathead screwdriver. A new slot lets you get the screw out with a flathead screwdriver. An angle grinder is a power tool with a rotating circular blade made to cut through metal. Draw a line on the top of the screw head to follow along with and put on a pair of safety glasses. Use your grinder to cut a straight, shallow slot in the top of the screw. Then, just turn a flathead screwdriver counterclockwise in the slot you just cut to get the stripped allen screw out.
    • If you don’t have an angle grinder, you can try hitting a flathead screwdriver with a hammer on the screw head to chisel a new slot.[7]
9

Try a screw extractor.

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  1. Screw extractors... Screw extractors fit on your drill and cut through the screw to pull it out. Screw extractors have a cutting drill bit on one end and a removal bit on the other.[8] Put the extractor in your drill with the cutting bit exposed, and drill a shallow hole in the middle of the screw head. Then, flip the extractor over to the removal bit. Place the removal bit in the new hole you just made and set your drill to reverse to unscrew the screw.[9]
    • You can buy a screw extractor kit from your local hardware store for around $10–20 USD. They're reusable, so you can keep one in your toolbox for future use.[10]
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10

Drill the screw out.

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  1. Grinding out the old screw with a high-torque drill clears out the hole. Grinding out the old screw with a high-torque drill clears out the hole. Choose a drill bit that’s about the same diameter as the screw’s threads and put it into your drill. Set the drill bit in the hex hole and put on a pair of safety glasses before you start.[11] Apply light downward pressure and use a low and slow speed to drill straight through the screw. When you’re finished, you can easily pull what’s left of the screw out with a pair of needlenose pliers.[12]
11

Heat the screw to loosen it.

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  1. Heat works best to get a stripped allen screw out of metal. Heat works best to get a stripped allen screw out of metal. Put on safety glasses and light a butane or propane torch. Hold the tip of the flame over the screw head for 5–10 seconds, but don’t let it get red hot. Put your allen wrench in the hole and try turning the screw or bolt counterclockwise to fully remove it.
    • Avoid using heat to remove screws or bolts from delicate or flammable materials.
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Join the Discussion...

How can I unscrew a stripped screw? WikiGladeWalker982 WikiGladeWalker982 Hey there, friends. I’m not the handiest on the planet and I’ve got to undo this plank in my home that covers a threshold. The problem is the screws are all stripped like nobody’s business. I don’t really know how to get them out, so I’m turning to you fine folks. How can I get stripped screws out of wood? Read More Gino Colucci Gino Colucci Home Improvement Specialist You can use pliers if the screw has a raised head. If you can't grip the head, the fastest and easiest method would be to use a screw extractor kit. They’re one of the most helpful things you can keep in a toolbox—they’re typically around $10-20, so they aren’t super expensive, and they're reusable. You can also try putting a rubber band or similar material over the screwdriver head in between a screwdriver and the slot for the head to get some traction. If the screw is made of a softer metal, try hammering a flathead screwdriver into it to create a new groove for a screwdriver to bite on. If all else fails you can use a heavy-duty drill bit to drill through the stripped screw. Read More WikiCaribouWhisperer217 WikiCaribouWhisperer217 Something that has worked for me in the past is heating the end of a plastic pen with a lighter until it melts, and then firmly pressing the melted plastic onto the screw and holding it in place until it has cooled and bonded with the screw. Then you should be able to pull it out! Read More See all 5 Replies and Read Discussion

Community Q&A

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  • Question How long does it take to remove Allen screws? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer You can remove most Allen screws in 5 minutes or less, but it may take 15-20 minutes if you're working with a stripped screw. A non-stripped screw is relatively fast and easy to remove, while a stripped one might require an extractor or a slot cut. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question How do you get a rounded-off Allen screw out? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Add grip with a rubber band or friction drops, or tap a slightly larger Torx bit or Allen key into the head. Then, turn slowly with a penetrating oil (like WD-40). If that doesn't work, cut a flathead slot with a rotary tool, use a specialized screw extractor, or apply heat to loosen the thread locker. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question Does WD-40 remove stripped screws? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Yes, WD-40 can help remove stripped screws by lubricating stuck threads or breaking down rust. Just apply WD-40 onto the screw and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then firmly insert your screwdriver and twist. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
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Video

Tips

  • You can repair a stripped screw hole by filling it with wood epoxy or a threaded insert. For an inexpensive option, try the Mr. Grip stripped screw hole repair kit. You could also try filling the hole with toothpicks and wood glue.[13] Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ https://worstroom.com/how-to-remove-a-stripped-allen-screw/
  2. ↑ Lui Colmenares. Licensed Contractor. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://ezgrip.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/aircraftdatasheet.pdf
  4. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://youtu.be/_mTFQbaT3Zc?t=344
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/jmvIsJwOVMo?t=257
  7. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ Barry Zakar. Handyman. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://worstroom.com/how-to-remove-a-stripped-allen-screw/
More References (4)
  1. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Barry Zakar. Handyman. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/WDOWPekMX44?t=428
  4. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview

About This Article

Gino Colucci Written by: Gino Colucci Home Improvement Specialist This article was written by Gino Colucci and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Gino Colucci is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Crackerjacks Handyman Services (not a licensed contractor) in Chandler, Arizona. Crackerjacks Handyman Services offers an effective cost-saving solution for commercial and residential repair and maintenance needs, specializing in smaller projects. Crackerjacks Handyman Services carries liability insurance and all technicians go through a background check. This article has been viewed 527,168 times. 34 votes - 72% Co-authors: 8 Updated: October 22, 2024 Views: 527,168 Categories: Screws and Screwdrivers In other languages Dutch Indonesian Portuguese Spanish Czech Japanese
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Tag » How To Remove Stripped Hexagon Screw