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Taking out an allen screw or bolt is as simple as finding a wrench (or key) that’s the right size. But what can you do if your wrench still feels loose and doesn’t grip the screw? While an allen screw has a tapered top and an allen bolt has a cylindrical top, you can easily remove both of them with tools and supplies you probably have around your home. Keep reading for all the best tips and tools to try so you can get that pesky screw or bolt out!

This article is based on an interview with our home improvement specialist, Gino Colucci, owner of Crackerjacks Handyman Services. Check out the full interview here.

1

Use a Torx wrench instead.

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  1. A Torx wrench has a bit shaped like a 6-pointed star, and you probably have one if you have a tool kit at home. Choose a Torx wrench with a bit that’s slightly larger than the hole, and push it in firmly. Then, just turn the wrench counterclockwise to get the stripped allen-head screw out.[1]
    • If you don’t have a Torx wrench, you can buy a set from your local hardware store or online.
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5

Strike the screw with a hammer and screwdriver.

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6

Tap the screw counterclockwise with a center punch.

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7

Epoxy an old allen wrench to the bolt.

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  1. Use an allen wrench that you don’t mind getting rid of since you won’t be able to remove it. Mix a 2-part epoxy and spread it in the hex hole and onto the end of the allen wrench. Press the allen wrench into the hole and let the epoxy set completely for 1–2 days. Once it’s dry, just turn the allen wrench counterclockwise to remove the screw.[4]
    • You can buy epoxy from your local hardware store.
    • Be careful not to get the epoxy anywhere on the surface around the screw head to make sure it doesn’t get stuck in place.
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8

Cut a slot in the screw head with an angle grinder.

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9

Try a screw extractor.

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  1. Screw extractors fit on your drill and cut through the screw to pull it out. Screw extractors have a cutting drill bit on one end and a removal bit on the other. Put the extractor in your drill with the cutting bit exposed, and drill a shallow hole in the middle of the screw head. Then, flip the extractor over to the removal bit. Place the removal bit in the new hole you just made and set your drill to reverse to unscrew the screw.[5]
    • You can buy a screw extractor kit from your local hardware store for around $10–20 USD. They're reusable, so you can keep one in your toolbox for future use.
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About This Article

Gino Colucci
Written by:
Home Improvement Specialist
This article was written by Gino Colucci and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Gino Colucci is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Crackerjacks Handyman Services (not a licensed contractor) in Chandler, Arizona. Crackerjacks Handyman Services offers an effective cost-saving solution for commercial and residential repair and maintenance needs, specializing in smaller projects. Crackerjacks Handyman Services carries liability insurance and all technicians go through a background check. This article has been viewed 497,071 times.
33 votes - 72%
Co-authors: 8
Updated: October 22, 2024
Views: 497,071
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 497,071 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Dana Welch

    Dana Welch

    Sep 9, 2022

    "My husband was trying to remove stripped screws and he was having no luck at all. I went on YouTube and ran across..." more
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