Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/stripped screw

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Expert: - 8/20/2010


Question
I am changing the knobs on my dresser drawer... I removed and added most of them with no problem.. but when i got to removing the last knob i stripped the screw. Now the screw is stripped on the inside of the dresser drawer and the old knob is still attached at the other end making it even more difficult to remove the screw... i tried using a thick rubber band between the screw and the screw driver with no luck.The screw is so stripped the rubber band technique could not even loosen it.

Answer
Hi Jill, never heard of the rubber band trick.....in a situation like this,if you can't wedge the screw head some how and just twist the knob off...then if you can get access to the screw head, I would use a Dremel tool to deepen or better yet, recut a new slot in the screw head. They make a thin cut off wheel, (I think it's #426) that will reslot a stripped screw head. It's usually better to cut a whole new slot perpendicular to the original slot, because of you cut the original too deep, the screw head will just split with the force of the screwdriver.While I realize you may not have a Dremel tool,(or an air powered die grinder or cut off tool, which will also work with a larger, but same type of, reinforced,thin cut off wheel) perhaps you can borrow one, because this is the only way I know to definitely solve this issue...even putting the drawer in the car and taking it down to the local service station, and asking them to cut a new slot in it is a good solution....they won't think you're weird, they'll think your pretty smart.....and it'll take approximately 32 seconds to do.Let me know how it turns out....hope that helps- regards- Greg

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-426-Fiberglass-Reinforced-Cut-Off/dp/B00004UDH9

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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