The bolt turns freely, the screw does not screw or is stripped. Sometimes seemingly simple operations become complicated. Here is a series of tips that may be useful for solving the most common screwdriving problems.
Every now and then you also take time to do it yourself jobs? Has what seemed simple at times turned out to be more complicated than expected? Sooner or later it happens to everyone, don’t worry. It is the case, for example, to have tried to screw in and unscrew a screw or bolt, encountering a series of unforeseen difficulties.
Here are some to help you tricks to solve the problem without getting too nervous and not wasting precious time. Just follow our advice to avoid making mistakes, understand which are the most suitable tools and how to solve the most common screwdriving problems.
Also read: 10 Common Problems Happening in the Kitchen You Should Fix Quickly
Loosen locked screws
To unscrew the screws blocked by encrustations, try to apply specific penetrating lubricating oil, trying to slide it into the thread. Wait a few hours for it to take effect and try again.
If you still can’t, try heat the tip of a screwdriver. The heat is excellent as a dilator, facilitating the detachment of encrustations. If there is some space between the surface and the screw head, you can try to grasp it with a pair of pliers. First rotate it and then, gently, with the same tool try to unscrew it.
If nothing has helped you so far, here’s another solution. Drill a small hole in the screw head with a drill, carefully choosing the right size tip. Make a hole in the center of the screw and insert the screwdriver. Apply some force and proceed to the extraction.
If you are looking for an easy one DIY solution at home, try to pass over a substance that can loosen it, such as a little ammonia. Only a few drops are enough.
Unlock rusted screws
It happens to everyone sooner or later to try to unlock a rusty screw perfectly embedded in a wooden panel. You can solve the problem by trying to heat it up well with a soldering iron. This way you will have a better chance of extracting it. If you still can’t do it, buy a can of WD-40, a known release agent and lubricant on the market, and spray just enough. Wait an hour for a more effective result in dissolving the rust. You just have to try to unscrew it.
You may be interested in: Christmas crafts
Screw stripped screw that does not hold
If you are having difficulty with screws that have no grip in the wood and do not hold, a valid solution is wrap some steel wool around the thread and then try to screw it back on. Alternatively, pour a few drops of metallic putty.
This is what can happen, for example, for furniture door hinges screws of the kitchen due to wear. You can try replace the damaged screw with another one of greater length. To help you do this, enlarge the hole with a drill with a bit of the right size and use one wooden plug. The latter must be cut to an extent equal to the depth of the hole, then spread it with vinyl glue and insert it with light hammer blows. Once dry, take the drill with a bit thinner than the screw and drill a small hole. Now try to screw in the screw.
To fill the stripped hole another DIY solution in the house is make use of a toothpick, the same length as the hole, dipping it into the vinyl glue. Once the area appears dry, insert the screw. These are not definitive remedies but certainly valid to remedy the problem for a medium-long period.
Remove screw with worn head
If you have to instead unscrew a stripped screw? First you need to equip yourself with the right screwdriver (slotted, cross, etc). At this point sprays some lubricant and wait about 30 minutes. Take the screwdriver, apply more pressure to make it stick to the screw head. At this stage, to increase its grip, you can also help yourself with a small piece of cloth or ribbon to be placed between the head and the screwdriver.
Screwing and protection tools
They seem trivial jobs but it is so important to use the suitable tools how much to always adopt the right protection.
As for the tools, it is essential to have them all in order in a special box. In this way, when you need them, you will not go looking for the place where you have put the one of the size that interests you.
Equally essential is the protection of your person. Housework is satisfying once completed but it is also one of the main causes of domestic accidents. Here because specific gloves and goggles they must never be missing before starting any home business.
Screwing problems: image gallery
Below is a complete gallery of images, to highlight what you need and how to solve the most common tightening problems in no time at all. Seeing is believing.
