33
votes
What screwdriver I should use for this screw head?
It appears that the hex sides of that screw head have been rounded off due to the use of an ill-fitting hex wrench. A metric and an SAE hex wrench will both fit in there, but the use of the wrong one, ...
- 47.9k
30
votes
Accepted
What is the right tool for old, rusty, flat cross head bolts?
Looking at the condition of the nut and the minimal profile of the head, I'm afraid the better question may be "how do I get these out with minimal damage to the wood?"
I'd take a drill to ...
- 32.1k
28
votes
Need more torque for driving screws
drilled a 6 mm hole in the masonry, then used brown wall plugs and #8 screws
Your hole was too small and the screw was the wrong size or type. A #8 screw has a 4mm diameter.
Brown wall plugs fit ...
- 24.5k
27
votes
What screwdriver I should use for this screw head?
I mostly agree with FreeMan, but I think this was originally a Torx (six-pointed star) drive. The corners look deeper than I'd expect from an Allen drive.
I would get a set of Torx bits and look for ...
- 144k
26
votes
Accepted
Why can't I drive a 12'' screw into 6x6 landscape timber?
If the pieces of wood you are drilling are not tightly pinned/clamped to each other, and are able to move around relative to each other while drilling, that is going to cause the screw to bind up and ...
21
votes
Accepted
Safe to screw on a paper towel holder way above socket?
If you are concerned about the presence of wiring near where you are installing this, grab yourself a stud finder with "live wire" detection from your local hardware store. Entry level ...
- 456
19
votes
What ikea screwdriver type is this?
It is called a "hex key", "Allen key", or "Allen wrench".
You can also find socket wrench tools with this hexagonal drive shape. Hex key socket wrenches are almost always stronger than Allen keys, ...
- 14.8k
19
votes
Why can't I drive a 12'' screw into 6x6 landscape timber?
You are working with pressure-treated wood.
That is a whole different story than dry wood.
Pre-drill the first 6 inches to make it easier for the driver to do its job.
I also do not see the self-...
- 18.9k
19
votes
Accepted
What's the correct way to think about wood's integrity when driving screws?
Wood is usually quite forgiving to us idiots.
As long as you keep away from the edges and ends a piece of 2x4 can take more nails and screws than most peoples arms can drive in(nail guns are cheating)....
- 28.4k
18
votes
What is the right tool for old, rusty, flat cross head bolts?
I would use a small grinder ( Dremel) with a cut-off wheel and cut the nuts off.
- 8,321
18
votes
Accepted
What tool should I use to remove this screw in my miter saw motor housing?
Get a heavy duty bolt with a slotted head that fits the rectangular projection.
Turn it upside down and put the slot on the stuck bolt.
Then you should be able to get a grip on it it. You may need ...
- 6,669
16
votes
Accepted
Identify this screw head (was: Security Torx)
This is a tamper proof torx screw. There are torx bits with a hole in the center that will remove them, if you are bold you can try smacking the center pin with a punch at an angle (small ones usually ...
- 103k
16
votes
Why can't I drive a 12'' screw into 6x6 landscape timber?
Pre-drilling is, more or less, for normal screws. A normal screw cannot cut into the wood, it merely pushes it out of the way. But you're buying the nice, pricey screws. Drilling? Where we're going we ...
- 25.7k
15
votes
Accepted
What is the purpose of this inverted Philips head screwdriver bit?
The bit that you are asking about is what is called a "concave Phillips" or "inverted Phillips" bit. They are used for removing screws that look like this:
(picture found at ebuy7.com)
The cross ...
- 65.7k
14
votes
Accepted
What's this bolt head type and how can I open it?
It looks like a spanner tamper-proof security bolt. Either buy a set of tamper-proof security bits, or modify a cheap standard slotted screwdriver with a dremel tool. Here is a cheap set: https://www....
- 2,234
14
votes
How can I turn these table leg attachment screws?
Those aren't screws. They're engagement dogs, or maybe cams, which connect to a mating part in the table leg. You're expected to use something like a flat-blade screwdriver from the side and rotate ...
- 144k
12
votes
What screwdriver I should use for this screw head?
Find the largest allen or torx wrench or bit that is small enough to fit in the rounded-off hole. Mix up some 5-minute epoxy or epoxy putty, and put a blob of it into the hole. Immediately insert the ...
- 12.1k
12
votes
Which Cordless Drill Setting should I use for Self Drilling Screws
With my variably speed drill (with an adjustable clutch), I usually start out fast until the screw starts to penetrate the 2nd piece of metal. Then I slow it down and snug it up gently. Like others ...
- 6,960
11
votes
Safe to screw on a paper towel holder way above socket?
I wouldn't worry too much. Modern electrical standards have wire stapled an inch and a bit back from the interior of the drywall. If your screws are less than 1.5" long, you shouldn't hit anything. If ...
- 23.1k
11
votes
What is the right tool for old, rusty, flat cross head bolts?
Normal flathead screwdriver in theory
I believe these are simply used to make it easier to apply a flathead screwdriver with at most 90 degrees of turn adjustment needed. So in theory you can just ...
- 2,026
11
votes
Which Cordless Drill Setting should I use for Self Drilling Screws
I am assuming that you're mating two pieces of relatively thin metal, right?
If your drill trigger is pressure sensitive then just take it slow until the metal is firmly attached. Don't overspin it ...
- 16.8k
10
votes
What's this bolt head type and how can I open it?
It is a simple security slot headed screw.
A flat headed screw has part of the slot filled in to make it difficult for the average joe to undo.
Either purchase a set of security bits or take an old ...
- 28.1k
10
votes
How can I turn these table leg attachment screws?
I'm suspecting that a custom tool is needed to actuate these. Most likely the furniture maker wanted a clean look on the outside, with no visible fasteners.
This dog looks like it needs a tiny ...
- 11.3k
10
votes
How can I remove a completely stuck screw in a wall?
You might be in luck. The heads on those screws are of a suitable shape to grab (very hard) with locking pliers (e.g. Vise-Grips or Mole-Grips.)
- 223k
10
votes
How can I remove a completely stuck screw in a wall?
Use an angle grinder to grind the screw head down to paper thickness, then pry the bracket off the wall. The last bit of screw head will bend out of the way. (Really, you can just go nuts with the ...
- 10.5k
10
votes
How can I remove a completely stuck screw in a wall?
I'd start with a "manual impact driver" They're cheap and often found at junk/garage sales.
The bits are not common 1/4" instead they're either 3/8" or 1/2" so less likely ...
- 11.3k
9
votes
Accepted
Are impact driver bits a different standard than screwdriver bits?
Those little bits aren't really made to go straight into the chuck. Even if the chuck is made to grip the little grooves, it's hard to see the tip with it so close to the chuck. There might not be ...
- 25.2k
8
votes
Adapter for 1/4" electric screwdriver to hold 3/8" bit
There are plenty of ways you can adapt a 3/8" bit onto a 1/4" drive. That's actually not your real problem.
The real problem is that there is no way a basic screwdriver is going to be able ...
8
votes
What tool should I use to remove this screw in my miter saw motor housing?
It almost looks like a T head bolt, but not exactly. Due to irregular size, I would recommend a universal socket; those are the sockets with all the little pins in them that are pushed out of the way ...
- 9,801
8
votes
How can I turn these table leg attachment screws?
Normally there should be just enough space to turn the screw head by a quarter turn and then move the screwdriver blade to the next slot.
If there is not, then you need a tool with a bent end, which ...
- 10.3k
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