Tony Carrick | posted June 9, 2021 at 8:52 AM

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Few things can bring a construction project or repair work to a halt like a screw or bolt peeling off. This frustrating problem may cause people to dig through their tool sets in vain, looking for a way to remove faulty fasteners. The good news is that there is a solution to this frustrating problem: screw extractors. A good screw extractor can quickly repair damaged screws.

These convenient devices consist of a drill bit and a thread extractor that can grind a hole in the head of the screw. The thread extractor bites into the hole and clamps the screw so that the user can take it out with a drill or ratchet. . There are many types and brands of screw extractors on the market, but few people can do the job correctly.

This guide provides an in-depth understanding by identifying important factors to consider when buying the best screw extractor while reviewing some of the top models on the market.

There are different types of screw extractors to accommodate different damaged fasteners. Read on to learn more about each type and key factors, including clamping force and materials to consider when choosing the best screw extractor.

There are many sizes of screw heads, so be sure to pay attention to the size that the screw extractor can accommodate. Most packages include sizes ranging from 0.125 inches to 0.625 inches. The larger kit has an extractor as large as 0.875 inches and can remove large bolts on vehicles and industrial machines. Other sets can remove tiny mechanical screws in electronic products, such as laptops with extractors as small as 0.0781 inches. Although a small kit with four or five extractor sizes is sufficient for most people, for professionals or DIY enthusiasts, it makes sense to invest in a kit that can cover various sizes.

Different types of screw extractors use different strategies to clamp peeled or rusted screws or bolt heads. Some drill into the head and use reverse threads to bite in and grasp the head, while others grasp the head by covering the head. Although the latter usually produces greater grip, this type of extractor is limited to situations where the bolt or screw head protrudes from the material enough for the tool to grasp it.

The type of material also affects the gripping force. Drill bits and extractors made of high-quality steel alloys do better at drilling and clamping fasteners, and have a longer life than drill bits and extractors that use cheaper materials.

Since screw extractors must be drilled into metal screws to work, they need to be composed of hard metal. Most screw extractors are made of high-speed steel, the same steel alloy used in many drill bits and saw blades. This steel is harder than other alloys and can withstand high temperatures without softening, which is a key feature of drilling the head of metal fasteners.

If within the budget, cobalt steel is better, but also more expensive. It is harder than high-speed steel and can better withstand the high temperatures generated by metal cutting. Cobalt steel also has higher tensile strength, which makes it a better choice for extractors with flutes of 0.125 inches or less. Stay away from extractors made of softer alloys because they are not hard enough to do the job.

Screw extractors have features that make them easier to use and ensure that the correct drill bit is used with the correct extractor. Those drill bits that work with the drill bit must match the size of the drill bit to be effective. This type of extractor should have a compatible bit size etched on its side to avoid confusion.

Double-sided extractors are some of the most convenient models because they feature the drill bit and extractor on a single reversible shank, eliminating the need to find a compatible drill bit. Simply drill a hole on one side, then flip the handle to apply the extractor.

Some kits use a magnetic extension bit holder to hold the drill bit or extractor bit. This allows the user to quickly switch between them, thereby speeding up the screw removal process.

Since the screw and bolt extractor kit can contain 30 or more pieces, most come with a convenient carrying case to organize all the pieces so that you can find them when you need them.

Most screw extractor tools are easy to use, even for beginners. Here are some valuable tips for using the screw extractor.

The following list narrows the field to some of the top screw extractors on the market. This includes small sets designed for occasional use and large sets designed for professionals and avid DIY enthusiasts who often deal with damaged screws and bolts.

This simple set is well-designed and versatile, and is an excellent companion for removing screws and bolts. It includes a set of five drill bits and five matching extractors. Both the drill bit and the extractor are mounted in a convenient magnetic drill bit holder, allowing the user to quickly replace each bit from drilling to extraction.

The size of the drill bits range from 2.8 mm to 5.9 mm, and each drill bit has a corresponding extractor, which is slightly smaller and can be drilled close to the drill bit. The universal chuck on the extender fits most electric drills. Each drill bit is made of durable high-speed steel, which can withstand high temperatures and repeatedly drill into soft metals. A plastic suitcase can keep all the drill bits and extenders in order.

Having an extractor of the right size is essential for the successful removal of peeled screws or bolts. With 35 pieces, including left-hand drill bits and extractor sizes ranging from 0.125 inches to 0.250 inches, it is difficult to find screws, studs or bolts that do not fit the extractor kit. It is composed of high-speed steel, which can withstand the heat generated when the metal is drilled in the metal.

Comes with 16 drill bits and six different sizes of screw screw extractors with reverse threads. The kit is fully equipped to remove peeled and cut screws. Its 13 bolt extractors range in size from 0.125 inches to 0.500 inches, and can extract fasteners of various sizes. A convenient carrying case can keep all the drill bits and extractors in order.

Most DIYers only need to deal with damaged screws or bolts occasionally, so it doesn't make sense to invest a lot of money in a large kit. For those who experience bolt heads being cut or screws peeling off from time to time, Alden’s kit is a good choice. It has four puller sizes for removing screws and bolts. Each drill bit is double-sided, allowing the user to drill in a bolt or screw, then flip the drill bit and take it out with a reverse thread extractor.

The drill bit is made of high-speed steel, which is hard enough to cut soft metals easily. A small suitcase can keep these things in order, so they are easy to find when needed.

Sometimes, the best way to remove a stripper screw with an exposed head is to use a pair of pliers. Although standard pliers may work, a better choice is this pair of extraction pliers. These aptly named vampires have fang-like serrations and a notch in the lower jaw to fit the contour of the screw head.

The reason why this set of extraction pliers is so impressive is that it can clamp various types of screws. In addition to standard screw heads, this tool can also disassemble Torx, security screws, tamper-proof screws, and even single-sided screws. It also has an ergonomic handle that provides a comfortable grip for easier screw extraction, and a carrying case that protects the jaws of the pliers when not in use.

When the hexagonal heads are worn and rounded so that the sleeves slide around them, the bolts become very difficult to remove. The spiral internal thread design of this nut and bolt extractor makes it possible to clamp round bolts by applying greater force and becoming tighter.

The kit comes with a series of multi-functional bolts ranging in size from 0.250 inches to 0.625 inches. Each bolt conveniently includes metric and imperial sizes, so that the correct size of the damaged nut or bolt can be quickly identified. In addition to the extractor, the kit includes a 0.375-inch ratchet drive, a 0.500-inch adapter for the smaller extractor, and a strike tool to remove the bolts stuck in the extractor. A molded plastic suitcase can keep everything in order.

Extracting large disassembled bolts and screws can be a daunting task. With its large extractor, this device can meet the challenge. It has 25 extractors, running in 0.0312 inch increments, from 0.125 inches all the way to a huge 0.875 inch extractor. Each extractor has micro-planar reverse threads designed to be screwed into drilled holes to remove peeling screws or bolts with rounded corners or sheared heads.

Its hexagonal head fits standard sleeves to obtain the best torque. The size of the socket is etched on the metal for easy identification of each extractor. The extractor is made of chromium molybdenum steel, which is hard enough to extract these larger bolts. All 25 pieces are packed in a molded suitcase.

It is impossible to remove tiny damaged screws from electronic devices such as laptops using standard screw removal kits. These bits are too big. This kit can remove mechanical screws as small as Class 1 (only 0.0781 inches in diameter), and is an excellent solution for extracting smaller peeling mechanical screws.

In addition to the 0.0781 inch size, it also includes 2, 3, and 4 machine screw sizes. Each drill bit is double-sided, with a drill bit on one end and a threaded adapter on the other end. They are composed of durable high-speed steel that has been heat tempered twice to achieve maximum hardness. A plastic suitcase can conveniently organize all four positions so that they can be easily found when needed.

If you have other questions about how to use the screw extractor, please read on for answers to some common questions about these handy tools.

The drill bit is the key part of the extractor. It is used to drill holes in the head of the damaged bolt or screw to provide a place for the extractor to penetrate and grasp the screw head so that you can remove it.

The screw extractor does not have a standard length. In fact, short and long extractors are equally effective in removing damaged screws and bolts. It is more important to choose the correct diameter drill bit and extractor to accommodate the damaged fastener.

To determine the appropriate extractor size, first select the appropriate drill size. The drill bit should be about half the diameter of the screw head. For example, to remove a 0.375 inch screw, first drill a hole in the head with a 3/16 inch drill bit. After drilling, use an extractor slightly smaller than the drill bit-most kits can easily match the drill bit on the kit to the extractor. The smaller extractor should fit in the hole, but still tight enough so that its threads can lock into the contour of the hole.

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