How to undo a small screw without a screwdriver

Additional information

Screwdrivers with a triangular tip are needed not only to repair kitchen appliances, but also personal computers, as well as all kinds of mechanical toys. If you are going to work in hard-to-reach areas, it is worth using a tool with a bending rod. It is desirable that the set includes screwdrivers suitable for removing tight (corroded) fasteners. As for the manufacturers, only professionals should buy products of the leading German and Japanese brands. In domestic conditions, the opportunities provided by the “factory China” are quite enough.

Important: A triangular head screwdriver, like any other screwdriver, must only be used for its intended purpose. It cannot replace a knife, corkscrew, wedge, lever, prop and other tools.

Damaged tools should not be used. Before you start, carefully inspect the screwdriver to make sure it is in good condition. If you should suddenly be unable to turn a screw or other fastener, do not try to do so with extreme force. otherwise there is a great risk of damaging the tool, material, fastener or even getting injured.

Screwdriver sets should be stored and handled only in their cases or specially designed working portable boxes. Do not carry them in your When screwing in (unscrewing) the fastener, do not hold the workpiece in your hand.

The screwdriver handle must be kept clean and contact with lubricating oils must be carefully avoided. Violation of these rules may result in property damage or even accidents.

How to Unscrew a Screw Without a Screwdriver

Specialists strongly advise that all appliances and electronics be disassembled only when turned off. Even so, only insulated (dielectric) screwdrivers should be used. Protect blade and handle from heat. It is strictly forbidden to rotate the handle, clamped in the pliers: instead of strengthening the effect, it will destroy the tool. Do not use a screwdriver to make notches or marks, or to stir construction paint.

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About what you can replace the triangular screwdriver in its absence, see the video below.

  • The easiest way is with a coin. It is mostly suitable for screws that can be inserted in the groove.
  • If the screw is loose, you can use your thumbnail.
  • Place the knife in the cavity and drive the screw through.
  • A CD can also replace a screwdriver. The unscrewing process is carried out in the same way as with a coin.
  • Saw the head with a metal hacksaw and unscrew it with a flathead screwdriver.
  • The Phillips screwdriver can be replaced with a flat screwdriver of the appropriate size.
  • Melt the end of a toothbrush and put it in the screw. Wait for the plastic to cool and harden, then simply twist the brush.
  • Insert the credit card into the slot and gently twist it counterclockwise.
  • The “ear” of a tin can, that’s how you replace a flat-blade screwdriver.
  • A coin, the edge of which fits into the slot of a screw.
  • The fingernail is also suitable, but only for screws that are loose.
  • Place the knife (horizontally) in the socket of the screw and turn it, just like a screwdriver.
  • You can use pliers. However, this option is appropriate for screws that are loose with a high head.

The easiest way would be to use a toothbrush. Melt one end of the screwdriver and put it into the socket of the screw. The method of unscrewing is the same as in the other options.

Screws are used everywhere for fastening various products. They provide a secure and comfortable hold, but are also easy to unscrew.

But it may happen that there are no screwdrivers handy for removing the screw. In such situations, the question arises, but what can replace the screwdriver.

Ways to remove a screw without a screwdriver

Consider the most effective ways depending on the specific type of slot. Let’s start with the Phillips head.

Option No1. The Phillips head slot

To begin with, you might notice that some screws have a hole on the head that is longer than the other one. If so, you should only work with a longer recess to make it easier. Even add that the edges of these cavities can be chipped, so you should work carefully, otherwise you can ruin the product.

One of the easiest ways is to use a coin. This method often only works on small screws. The coin should be inserted in the groove and then turned counterclockwise.

If the screw is loose you can try to unscrew it with your fingernail. The steps are the same as in the previous method.

You can try to unscrew it with your fingernail

Take a knife, place it in a recess (long one if they are different lengths) and twist. Be careful because if the screw is tightened too much and the knife you use is of poor quality, it (the knife) can be bent without achieving the desired result.

Using a knife to unscrew a Phillips head screw

Use an old CD. Place its edge into the groove and twist. The CD hard disk itself can be damaged by such manipulations and you should make sure beforehand that you do not need it anymore. The method certainly will not help if the screw is screwed too tight.

You can saw a long groove in the head with a metal saw, but this method is effective only when the hardware is not completely screwed in. е. If the head protrudes slightly from the surface. Hold the saw at right angles to the head, saw slowly and carefully. Then, when the groove is ready, the screw can be unscrewed with a flathead screwdriver or with improvised means (e.g. a credit card).

On the head of the screw a long groove is sawed

Take a flat screwdriver of appropriate size in the absence of a Phillips screwdriver. Characteristically, this can only work with screws of large/medium diameter. Be careful not to tear the slotted edge!

You can try to unscrew a Phillips head screw with a flathead screwdriver

Another option is to use a toothbrush. One end of the brush melt with a lighter and immediately insert it into the cavity in the screw head. After waiting a short time for the melted plastic to solidify, twist the brush counterclockwise. Of course, it doesn’t help if the screw is screwed too tight.

Remove the screw with a toothbrush

Option 2. Flat head screwdriver

As noted earlier, there is only one indentation on the head of such a screw. If you do not have a flat-blade screwdriver, you can use improvised means to unscrew the screw. Let’s see how it can be done.

How to undo a small screw

  • Small screwdriver;
  • – superglue;
  • – A soldering iron with a narrow tip;
  • – Drill bit and a small drill bit.

As a rule, the threads of the smallest screws are painted before screwing in to increase the strength of attachment. That is why if the head is not completely torn off yet try to heat it with a soldering iron with a thin stinger. It is important not to overdo it.к. If there are any plastic parts near the screw, they can be melted to the screw.

After heating immediately try to undo the screw that should give way easier. The main thing here also is not to overdo it, so as not to break the threads completely.

If the threads are completely stripped you can use superglue. Drip the glue into the torn hole in the head and put the screwdriver in it. Push down on the screwdriver for a better connection of screw and screwdriver. Do not wiggle the screwdriver while the glue is drying! After waiting a while (depending on how quickly the glue dries) carefully, without sudden movements, start loosening the screw by slowly increasing the force.

You can also try a drop of solder instead of glue, but it is less effective.

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If all the above measures did not help, take a drill with a drill bit, the diameter of which is equal to the diameter of the screw head. Carefully drill out just the head (!) of the screw, trying as little as possible to touch the plastic of the part where the screw is screwed into. After you disassemble the laptop (phone), a part of the screw will remain sticking out of the lower part of the connection. It can be accurately unscrewed with pliers.

To reassemble the screw instead of the drilled screw you must use a new screw and washer (t.к. the diameter of the hole in the plastic is enlarged after drilling).

It often happens that edges of fasteners get torn off during construction work. Usually this happens at the most inopportune moment when you need to finish the job in time. How to remove a screw with a torn edge? Why do such troubles occur? What are the solutions for solving the problem? We will talk about all this further in the article.

Method No2. Sawing through

Any type of screw can be removed with a flathead screwdriver. Using an angle grinder or metal saw, make a straight slot in the head of the screw. But remember that the slot must be a depth of at least ½ of the head height, otherwise you risk destroying it. This method can be used in combination with others.

Option #1. Phillips head screw

To begin with, note that in some screws one groove on the head may be longer than the other. If so, only work with a larger recess to make it easier. We should also add that the edges of these cavities can wear down, so you should work carefully, otherwise you could ruin the workpiece.

One of the easiest way is to use a coin. The method often works only with small screws. Insert the coin into the groove and then turn it counterclockwise.

Try removing a screw that is too loose with your fingernail. The steps are the same as in the previous method.

You can try to unscrew it with your fingernail

Take a knife, place it in the groove (long if they are different lengths) and twist. Be careful, because if it is tightened too much and the knife you use is of low quality, it (the knife) can be bent and you will not obtain the desirable result.

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Using a knife to drive out a Phillips head screw

Use an old CD. Insert the edge of the screw into the groove and turn it. The cd itself can be damaged by such manipulation, so make sure it is no longer needed. The method definitely does not help if the screw is screwed too tight.

You can saw a long groove on the head with a hacksaw, but this method is effective only when the hardware is not screwed in completely, i.e. е. if the head protrudes over the surface a little. Hold the saw at right angles to the head, saw slowly and carefully. Then, when the groove is ready, the screw can be unscrewed with a flat screwdriver or with improvised means (e.g. credit card).

A long groove is sawed into the head of the screw

Use a flathead screwdriver of the right size in place of the phillips head screwdriver. This will only work with large/medium sized screws. Be careful not to tear the facets of the slot!

You can try to unscrew a Phillips head screw with a flathead screwdriver

Another option is to use a toothbrush. Melt one end with a lighter and immediately insert it into the recess in the screw head. After waiting a little so that the melted plastic solidifies, turn the brush counterclockwise. Of course it doesn’t help if it is screwed too tight.

Remove the screw with a toothbrush

Option No. 2. Flathead screwdriver

As noted earlier, there is only one recess on the head of such a screw. If you do not have a flat-blade screwdriver, you can use improvised means to unscrew the screw. Let’s see how it can be done.

Use a credit card. insert it into the groove and try to turn it. Use only unnecessary card, because it may well be damaged during twisting.

The screw is unscrewed with a credit card

You can also use the “ear” of a tin can (soda, beer). Insert the breaking off “ear” in the groove on the head of the hardware, and twist.

Use a coin and put it in the groove and try turning it in the same way.

Screw out a flat head screw with a coin

If the screw is not too tight you can try to unscrew it with your fingernail. The method is not always effective, for obvious reasons.

Try unscrewing the screw with a knife by inserting the latter’s blade into the groove. There is a risk that you might bend the blade.

Insert the blade of the knife into the cavity and twist it counter-clockwise

The last method. use pliers. Works if the screw is not tightened all the way in. It is better to use a pair of needle-nose pliers than a pair of ordinary pliers.

The screw with a flat spline is opened with pliers

If you don’t have a flathead screwdriver, you can use any flathead object to unscrew such screws. Use a plastic card, such as a bank card. Insert the card into the recess and turn it counterclockwise.

Gas Burner. Even the most complicated case can be handled with a torch. Use it to heat the screw that is stuck until it gets red hot and cool it quickly with oil. The procedure should be repeated until the fastener is loose and gives way.

How to unscrew screws without a screwdriver 10 best ways with instructions

So, how to unscrew the universal screw with a countersunk head or a screwdriver with stripped edges or worse without a cap at all.

The first thing to do is to inspect the tool with which the unscrewing is performed and replace it with a suitable one. The tip of the tool should fit tightly into the slot and must not be worn out.

To unscrew the screw, the screwdriver must fully correspond to the shape and size of the slot. If the replacement does not work, use another method. Self-tapping screws for drywall are often possible to unscrew by using a thin sheet of rubber, putting it between the screwdriver and the slot.

When unscrewing from a board and other wooden products, the impact on the screw head with the subsequent tapping of the screwdriver at the application of force can be effective. If the multi-purpose screw with a round head is not completely tightened (protrudes over the surface by at least one millimeter) or the design of its head allows it to do this, you can use pliers or a gas wrench to try to unscrew it.

A few drops of brake fluid, kerosene or lubricant will make the screw twist. You can heat the hardware, it will expand and deform the surrounding materials, and once cooled it can be unscrewed.

It is possible to use adhesives (superglue, “liquid nails”, “cold” welding, and if time permits, epoxy compounds), soldering or, if the parts to be fastened allow, welding. If the self-tapping screw does not begin to unscrew, proceed to drastic measures.

  • Heat and cool
  • Find the right tool
  • Tap the head of the bolt or screw with a hammer and impact screwdriver
  • Use a penetrating rust remover or lubricant
  • Drill out the screw
  • Solder or weld a screwdriver or hex to the screw.

Screws have tiny threads, but they are placed on the surface. So you can use a knife with a thin and sharp end to unscrew it. Other sharp objects such as needles, scissors, and awls also apply.

Weld a nut onto the flattened head of the bolt. Then use a regular wrench to unscrew everything together. But this only works if the flats are flat. If they are rounded, you can try cutting/chiseling the top off, then weld on a nut and try unscrewing it.

Press down on the screwdriver for a better connection between the screw and the screwdriver. Don’t wobble the screwdriver while the glue is drying! After waiting a while (depending on how quickly the glue dries), gently, without sudden movements, begin to unscrew the screw, gently increasing the force.

If the hexagon is small, you can hammer a TORX bit with a suitable size into it and unscrew it by its tip. if a head is available it is worth trying to unscrew the screw using pliers, a socket wrench or a hand vise. A hammer and chisel will almost always help, if there is room.

Take a screwdriver that resembles the groove of the screw as closely as possible. Take the harness. Put a harness under the screwdriver or bit and put it all in the slugged head. Next, with a simultaneous pressure and twisting motion, try to unscrew the screw.

  • A small notch should be made in the flat of the head for a flathead screwdriver. Try to unscrew the screw with the screwdriver;
  • Use a TORX star to unscrew the bolt
  • A drill with a drill bit or special extractors can help to solve this problem.

If the “sprocket” is inside, you can make a straight cut for a flat screwdriver, you’ll need a hacksaw for metal, or an angle grinder with a cutting disk, or a sharp chisel, the same hammer, VD-40, screwdriver. In the most extreme case (nothing helps), the bolt can be drilled, you need a drill and drill bits for metal.