So I’ve got some rusty old floor screws that I can’t loosen with a Phillips head (they’re old, so I’m betting it’s not posidrv). The notches are all rusted and it hardly bites at all.
If I drill them out, I know I’m in for a hard time but am I better off going for a really fast rotation or slower?
And should I start with a narrow drill bit and work my way up (historically I’ve broken a few doing this in the past) or just begin at the intended diameter?
Yes, in fact I do work with computers - isn’t it obvious?
I’m assuming its a flat, countersunk screw? My usual go-to for removal where it works is to use a dremel cut off wheel to cut a slot and then use a straight bit. given the flush head, this would probably not be acceptable if you care about the wood or whatever at all.
another option is the extractor bits- the kind that are double ended. The first tip clears out any rough patches on the head into a tapered cone, the second bit bites into the cone and turns. The goal here is to get it high enough that you can get it with pliers and turn it out that way, though depending on how siezed… well, it might take it all the way out. I’ve never had very good success with them, though.
You might also be able to pound in a torx head bolt that just barely fits. clean it out a little, if you have working space, drop the torx bit in and set it in with a hammer (Not full on nail-swings, mind, but enough the bit bites in,) and then turn it out with an impact wrench.
Yes counter sink screw - bang on!
Gosh, I’d never thought of impact drivers for that purpose! Great idea. I think my only torx tools are hand-screwdrivers, give me some ideas however
Be careful with the screw, going too far in drilling it out might take the head off entirely.
If that happens you might be able to lift the wood off it, and come at it with pliers, but if the thread are in the board, that could get very… awkward.