WWA Info Exchange

So, years ago, I had to lay some oak flooring in a tight spot. I counter sunk some drywall screws in the boards, with plans to plug the holes. Never got around to it...looks terrible, I have to rip the boards up. I tried to unscrew the screws...mangled the heads... I was going to drill out the screws, but they seem so damned hard, my drills just smoke. How do I drill out these drywall screws?

Sears and others sell a damaged screw remover.
They look kinda like a counter sink but the cutting edge is used in reversed rotation.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952154000P

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"It is not a mistake it is a learning experience"
Monte

This is only something I'd try, not something I've tried. Since drywall screws are quite brittle, I'd chisel out a hole in the flooring to allow getting a big crowbar into. I'm thinking I might have to break off the screws in order to get the flooring out.

But then, diplomacy isn't my strong point.

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Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis

Couldn't you just use a screw extractor?

The other thing I've done before is similar to what DennisS suggests, but I use a pair of vise grips to get the screw out.

peter

I've always had good luck heating the screw with a 1000 degree soldering gun. If you get the screw hot enough, it'll break the bond, and then can be taken out with a screw extractor as described above.

Ed

Daddy Gloves beat me to it! I was going to suggest the same thing. I used to sell those things and they do work pretty well. Just rember "put the drill in REVERSE".
Also, you might try the old valve grinding compound if they aren't TOO messed up.
Next suggestion....Use Dennis's idea and get a new ax!!!

Rog

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Dont badmouth no strangers, they just friends you aint met yet.

An ounce of responsibility is worth a pound of State and Federal laws.

I spent most of my money on woodworking
tools and beer, the rest I just wasted.

Another option is a screw "extractor" that is really just a small home saw.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2000983/2011/Screw-Extractor-38.aspx?ss=2cd1600c-534a-4f57-a183-bfb5070adcac

I've used these on many ocations and they work great. You can fill the hole with a dowel.

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Jeff

If man made it, I can fix it.
If God made it we can pray for it.

Lessons I have learned:
NEVER MAKE ANYTHING OUT OF TEAK
Always remove the zero clearance insert before you tilt the blade DAMHIKT