How to Remove a Stripped Screw

If you need to remove a stripped screw, there are a few different types of screw extractors you can buy. I like this style screw extractor for screws that have an indent like, Phillips or square drive screws. For slotted screws or broken bolts, it is more effective to use an extractor that requires a pilot hole to be driven first.

In most cases, if you have an old fence or deck that has rusted, stripped screws, you can just force this style into the top of the screw and remove it without having to ream it out first. In some cases it will actually grab better if you just use the extractor side only.