To remove a plug screw, a common technique involves using another screw and a claw hammer to create leverage. This method is particularly useful when the original screw head is damaged or difficult to grip directly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing a Plug Screw
Based on established methods for removing stubborn screws, the process involves the following steps:
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Insert a Grab Screw: Begin by selecting a screw that fits into the hole of the plug screw you want to remove. Insert this new screw partway into the hole. This screw will act as a handle or point of leverage.
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Position Claw Hammer and Support: Use a claw hammer to grip the newly inserted screw. Carefully place the prongs of your claw hammer around the head or shaft of the screw you just inserted. To provide stability and leverage, place a small block or wedge of wood directly beneath the head of the hammer, resting on the surface around the screw. This block acts as a fulcrum.
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Lever the Screw Out: With the hammer prongs gripping the screw and the block providing support, gently but firmly lever the hammer handle downwards. This motion will cause the hammer head to lift, pulling the inserted screw (and ideally the plug screw beneath it) straight out of the hole. Apply steady pressure.
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Fill the Hole: Once the plug screw has been successfully removed, you can then fill the remaining hole as needed, depending on the application.
Why This Method Works
This technique utilizes basic physics to overcome resistance. By inserting a second screw that you can grip and using a claw hammer with a block as a fulcrum, you create significant lifting force directly under the stuck or "plugged" screw, allowing for extraction without relying on the original, potentially damaged, screw head.
