Hexagonal wood screws are the thick metal screw typically used to bond joints that undergo a lot of stress and can be damaged easily. Often times, due to stresses faced by the screw after installation, hex head screws can be extremely difficult to remove. In some cases, the removal process can damage the hex head screws and make it even harder to remove them. Luckily, this article will guide you through the process of removing a hex head screw that has been damaged.

Take Appropriate Precautions: Removing damaged hex head screws involves the use of power tools and cutting tools like a chisel. Since these tools can cause injuries, it is recommended that you wear gloves and study the instructions that came with the power tools. The use of safety glasses should also be practiced to offer protection against flying pieces of metal during drilling. Once these precautions have been duly noted, move on to removing a damaged hex head screw.

Lubricating the Screw: Use a few drops of penetrating oil for this step. Add a few drops around the face of the screw and tap gently with a hammer to ensure proper penetration down to the stem. Give the oil a couple of minutes to work before performing any other action on the screw.

Making a Slit in the Nut: You will require a hammer and a chisel for this step. Hold the chisel roughly at the equator of the screw head and strike with a hammer. A strong single blow works best. The chisel will wedge a slit in the head of the screw. This slit will provide the necessary grip that will help in the removal process. Use a flat face screwdriver to turn the screw out of its socket. In case the screw is stuck in its socket, use a torque wrench to provide the necessary force needed for removal. Make sure that you turn the screw in the proper direction (usually a counter clockwise direction) to avoid undue tightening.

If All Else Fails: This step explains details of an alternate method that can be used for the removal of a resistant screw if the above method is ineffective. Use a chisel to chop off the top of the hex screw. Once this is done, use an electric drill installed with a bit of the same size as the stem of the hes head screw to drill a hole in the step. Take caution while doing this to ensure that the object to which the screw is attached to is not damaged. Also, make sure that you drill lightly to avoid expansion of the hole. Hexagonal wood screws - http://www.din571.com/de/product/Hexagonal-wood-screws/