Stripping Screw Heads

[dragoneggs]

Agreed on all suggestions. Torx or Robertson if you can change out. Make sure your phillips screw driver/bit is the correct size and not worn. Cheap screwdrivers/bits can wear out the first time you use them.

 

[jeffinsgf]

One thing not mentioned so far is recognizing the difference in sound between the clutch slipping and the head stripping. I used to fight with my dad on this issue all the time. He would be ripping the heads out of screws and saying it sounded just like what I was doing....No dad, I've got my clutch adjusted so it slips when the screw gets tight...that sound is the clutch, not the screw head disappearing.

 

[PhysAssist]

One thing not mentioned so far is recognizing the difference in sound between the clutch slipping and the head stripping. I used to fight with my dad on this issue all the time. He would be ripping the heads out of screws and saying it sounded just like what I was doing....No dad, I've got my clutch adjusted so it slips when the screw gets tight...that sound is the clutch, not the screw head disappearing.

Another thing not previously mentioned (probably because it is so basic as to be assumed, and you'all remember what that word breaks down into...) is paying scrupulous attention to keeping the bit straight to the axis of the screw.

Since I have been laid up, I have had to coach my wife through some of the repairs/projects that needed to be done here at home, and one of the things I had to help her correct was her habit of driving screws crookedly (generally not too big an issue) and not continuing to align her bit to be in the same axis as the screw, leading to stripped heads, incomplete/difficult driving, (much more an issue) and much cursing (on her part).

The other suggestions are all capitol ideas as well, but this seems like a really common cause of stripping, besides not drilling pilot holes and screwing into super hard substrates, which if not corrected, could mean that all the other measures might still fail to prevent stripped out screw heads.

Thomas

 

[daveshoot]

square head is the way to go.

Couldn't agree more. The good news is that, after you've stripped the Phillips completely, a square drive will usually grab to back it out.

 

[teejk]

One thing not mentioned so far is recognizing the difference in sound between the clutch slipping and the head stripping. I used to fight with my dad on this issue all the time. He would be ripping the heads out of screws and saying it sounded just like what I was doing....No dad, I've got my clutch adjusted so it slips when the screw gets tight...that sound is the clutch, not the screw head disappearing.

Yup...but that's why "pulsing" the screw in works so well (a few years ago I owned a Metabo cordless drill that did it automatically but their batteries were junk so I moved on). IMHO anybody buying a cordless today should buy the impact drill driver...that slight hammer action keeps the bit on the screw.

 

[Soundguy]

speaking of junk patteries. I was given a cordless skill 12v with a bad bat. thing was literally used one time. then set on a shelf in it's box for 3-4 years. battery is non op.

I half way considered poping open the shell and repalcing the sub-C bats in it for about 30$ then i had another idea. I made up a zip cord cable with ends that mimicked the blades ont he bat and attached them into the handle.. gator clipepd to a battery as a test. NICE! stick a cig lighter end on it and it's a good farm gun. I made up 2 special adapters so i can use a regular 'extension cable' and hook these adapters to it and hook one to a battery, and the other to the gun. On my farm I have several 100' extension cables. and this works great.... best aprt was free.. including all the lil doo-dads i built for it from scrap electronic stuff.

 

[chopped]

interesting I got a drill and small svircular saw free from a friend someone had stolen the batteries but ne batteries would fix the situation, but i already have a drill and saw so I think ill try your idea on them even with a cord they could be useful.

speaking of junk patteries. I was given a cordless skill 12v with a bad bat. thing was literally used one time. then set on a shelf in it's box for 3-4 years. battery is non op.

I half way considered poping open the shell and repalcing the sub-C bats in it for about 30$ then i had another idea. I made up a zip cord cable with ends that mimicked the blades ont he bat and attached them into the handle.. gator clipepd to a battery as a test. NICE! stick a cig lighter end on it and it's a good farm gun. I made up 2 special adapters so i can use a regular 'extension cable' and hook these adapters to it and hook one to a battery, and the other to the gun. On my farm I have several 100' extension cables. and this works great.... best aprt was free.. including all the lil doo-dads i built for it from scrap electronic stuff.

 

[Soundguy]

good way to salvage 12v equipment... even 18v stuff if you have 6v and 12v bats laying around like i do..

 

[k0ua]

You have been given lots of good ideas, but one thing I have noticed in people that don't drive screws very much, is they don't push on the drill. If you don't push on the drill you run the risk of camming out of the screw slots easier. Of course having a properly fitting bit helps a bunch!

James K0UA

 

[RobertN]

I found if stripping screws, change the bit. They are cheap compared to the frusration of stripping the screw. And, paying attention to to the angle of the drill/driver to the screw.

I have a couple drill/drivers. sometimes I will set one up with apilot drill, the other with the screw bit. Screws go in easy with a pilot hole(just make sure to drill correct size pilot).