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I just learned about left-handed drill bits that can be used to removed screws with stripped heads. However, without those lefthanded drill bits available, can I use the normal (right-handed) drill bits, and the Reverse function of the power drill to undo a screw with stripped head?

My DeWalt power drill/hammer/driver has the Hammer function, so combining with the Reverse function, it would additionally help?

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can I use the normal (right-handed) drill bits, and the Reverse function of the power drill to undo a screw with stripped head?

NO it will not grab onto the head.

The reason the reverse bit may work is because the cutting part of the bit is designed to cut into the surface, when it starts to cut or grab it then turns the screw counter clockwise.

A normal bit will just spin and not "grab".

My DeWalt power drill/hammer/driver has the Hammer function, so combining with the Reverse function, it would additionally help?

No the hammer function will not help.

A screw extractor set is far better then a reverse drill bit.

How to use a screw extractor.

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  • Thanks Alaska Man! Your explanations make sense! I suppose while the normal drill bit does not work, as it does not grab/cut into the stripped head, it may, in the process "loosen" up the stripped screw, so that additional methods may help? E,g. cutting the head to make a flat head to chisel it counterclockwise, heating it up with a heat gun, using a visegrip pliers ... etc Again, the fact is still true, normal bit does not cut into the surface of the stripped head!
    – David Ta
    Commented Dec 28, 2020 at 21:34
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    There is no point in using the reverse bit if you can get a pair of vise grips on it.
    – Alaska Man
    Commented Dec 28, 2020 at 21:36
  • I would respectfully/gently disagree: a reverse drill bit, followed by an extractor if the drill alone didn't do the job, is ideal! In fact to my eye it looks like the drill-end of the drill-and-extractor set linked in your answer is a left-hand drill.
    – Greg Hill
    Commented Dec 28, 2020 at 22:39

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