Advice on how to repair sheared cabinet hinge screw

[Andy D Jones]

The best tool I've found for removing small broken screws is the UNSCREW-UMS.

https://tltools.com/

Thanks for the link; that's going on my Christmas list!

-- Andy - Arlington TX

[Eric Arnsdorff]

Andy I agree but I think I'll beat Santa Claus to it and place an order. Thanks Sanford!

[Lee Schierer]

Eric, a good way to avoid shearing screws of any size is to (1) drill pilot holes and (2) lubricate the threads by dragging them across a lump of bees wax. I don't recommend soap because they can contain oils which will stain your wood and paraffin doesn't stick to the threads very well.

[Mark Wooden]

After I lost the store bought version made from a spring pin (referred to as "roll" pin here), I started making my own, only take a few minutes with a triangle file to file the teeth. The idea is to use the size thats close to the root diameter-the shank- of the screw and start sawing around and down it with the drill running in reverse. The spring pin will expand a little and grip the screw shank and wind it out most,-in my experience, all- of the time, no filler plug needed. And if it doesn't, it'll core around the shank and then pull it out, which has never happened to me. I even backed a broken tap out of some aluminum plate with one once.
I forget the name of the company that was making them commercially, but they are a great little CYA tool!

[Tom Bender]

Installing a dowel and cutting it off flush can result in scarring the adjacent finish. Better to install the right length dowel so it drives just below the surface. A little more prep but then you're done.

[andy bessette]

Installing a dowel and cutting it off flush can result in scarring the adjacent finish. Better to install the right length dowel so it drives just below the surface. A little more prep but then you're done.

Actually it is better to install a plug, not a dowel, with the grain lined up with the parent wood. Cutting it off flush then involves just a few strokes from a chisel, which can usually be done without scarring the surrounding finish. The plug necessarily must be finished. This for making a repair that will show.

Otherwise, if the repair can be hidden beneath the hinge, a dowel will work fine.

[Thomas McCurnin]

+1 on a hollow screw extractor, then a dowel.

[Wayne Cannon]

The ones I have look like this, except the teeth are reversed so you run the drill in reverse.

Attachment 442990

That's what I use, followed by a plug. Makes a very neat job.

I have also had success with "screw extractors" for larger screws. They are effectively a left-handerd drill designed to bite into the screw once started, and back it out. However, the screw extractors are hard to keep centered on small screws & damage the surrounding wood near the surface, again, for small screws.

[Phil Mueller]

To prevent delicate screws from breaking, I add a little insurance by pre-screwing the pilot hole with a properly sized gimlet. I rub a little wax on the gimlet which “lubricates“ the threads in the wood for the screw.

[Jim Becker]

That's what I use, followed by a plug. Makes a very neat job.

If you have the right size of those toothed extractors, it will grab the broken off fastener and back it out of the hole, not requiring plugging...just a new screw.

[Alan Lightstone]

To prevent delicate screws from breaking, I add a little insurance by pre-screwing the pilot hole with a properly sized gimlet. I rub a little wax on the gimlet which “lubricates“ the threads in the wood for the screw.

That's what I do too. I've broken off too many screws in the past. Especially the little brass ones. Aaarghhh!!!

[Floyd Mah]

Here's another way to back out a broken screw. Use a Dremel tool with an abrasive disc, the thin ones that can cut off metal. Cut a groove in the screw shank that you can fit a flat head screw driver in and give it a try. I know flat head screw drivers aren't the best for turning screws, especially ones that are tight, but it's a 5 minute solution if it works. If it doesn't work, it doesn't burn any bridges and you can go on to something else.