Paint over screws

[btharmy]

I just use this. It only takes a couple seconds if you cut in the direction of the slot.

 

[kwired]

I just use this. It only takes a couple seconds if you cut in the direction of the slot.

View attachment 8787

If that don't work you can then move on to one of these

 

[eHunter]

For the more difficult ones...



or just call it a day and go fishing! :angel:

 

[ptonsparky]

Screw driver as described. Is that eight?

 

[GoldDigger]

I just use this. It only takes a couple seconds if you cut in the direction of the slot.

But if you can't find the slot, it does get trickier.

 

[guschash]

I just use straight blade screw driver and hit it with my electrician hammer ( channel locks ).

 

[K8MHZ]

But if you can't find the slot, it does get trickier.

That's how bad many of the ones I encounter are.

 

[K8MHZ]

Screw driver as described. Is that eight?

That is the method I am trying to replace with a better one. It's fine for one or two devices, but when you have to do an entire apartment that's got 35+ years of paint over the screws.........not so fun.

 

[K8MHZ]

The panel covers are also painted. So thick that once the screws are out, you have to cut the covers out of the paint or the paint will rip right off the wall.

I found that the multi-tool works well for getting the paint out of the slots on the larger, panel sized screws.

 

[mjf]

But if you can't find the slot, it does get trickier.

When the paint is that thick it will usually chip off (atleast enough to find the slot) when rapped a few times with the side of linesmans.

 

[K8MHZ]

When the paint is that thick it will usually chip off (atleast enough to find the slot) when rapped a few times with the side of linesmans.

Not this stuff. It is almost like semi-hardened glue. You have to dig it out, or grind it out.

 

[mjf]

Not this stuff. It is almost like semi-hardened glue. You have to dig it out, or grind it out.

Lucky you!!

 

[drspec]

I still say your best bet in your situation is the screw extractor. It never hurts to have one on hand and HD has them for about $20 for the set.

 

[K8MHZ]

I still say your best bet in your situation is the screw extractor. It never hurts to have one on hand and HD has them for about $20 for the set.

Thanks.

I was just going to ask if I could get them somewhere besides on line.

 

[renosteinke]

Screw extractor? Maybe- but why bother? If you must, visit harbor Freight. While you're at it, get some left-handed drill bits. They'll come in handy some day.

Cut / break the plates off, even cut the screw heads off- and grab what's left with Vise-grips and turn.

 

[cowboyjwc]

Screw extractor? Maybe- but why bother? If you must, visit harbor Freight. While you're at it, get some left-handed drill bits. They'll come in handy some day.

Cut / break the plates off, even cut the screw heads off- and grab what's left with Vise-grips and turn.[/QUOTE]


I was kind of starting to think the same thing. At some point just trying to get the screw out is going to be costly.

 

[James S.]

I have always used a screwdriver but think the screw extractor would be a great idea.

 

[drspec]

Screw extractor? Maybe- but why bother? If you must, visit harbor Freight. While you're at it, get some left-handed drill bits. They'll come in handy some day.

Cut / break the plates off, even cut the screw heads off- and grab what's left with Vise-grips and turn.

yeah let's take 5 - 10 minutes per device instead of 1 minute with the screw extractor. I used these things on some corroded screws in some concrete encased step lights and they came out easy and fast. Before that we tried needle nose, side cutters, etc....wouldn't even turn the screw. If time is of no essence and a $20 solution doesn't work for you I totally understand.

 

[drspec]

Thanks.

I was just going to ask if I could get them somewhere besides on line.

$13.58 http://www.lowes.com/pd_280440-4187...=1&currentURL=?Ntt=screw+extractor+&facetInfo=

 

[K8MHZ]

$13.58 http://www.lowes.com/pd_280440-4187...=1&currentURL=?Ntt=screw+extractor+&facetInfo=

Awesome.

The boss is interested in them too.