Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Dadsnet

Speak to new fathers on our Dads forum.

Original poster

Ok men(and any wise women/ladies)!! How the f**k do I get a screw out that just won't budge??

72 replies

tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 17:00

Its in the wooden gate post.Im trying to put a new bolt on the gate because the old one has broken!
Ive managed through sheer determination to remove 1 screw but the other 3 won't budge.
Ive tried a battery drill/screwdriver and a normal screwdriver.Im just destroying the screwdriver bits!

So is there another way I can try??

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
stleger · 14/09/2006 17:16

I think if you can heat it with a soldering iron, so it expands, then when it contracts the hole has been slightly enlarged and it will turn... I have never tries this!

Original poster
tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 17:17

Hmm I don't have a soldering thingy!

OP posts:
serenity · 14/09/2006 17:22

Squirt it with WD40 and leave it for a bit before you try again?

Original poster
tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 17:23

Ive got some oil but no wd40.Guess its worth a try.
Thanks.

OP posts:
mazzystar · 14/09/2006 17:24

get a little man in?

Original poster
tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 17:26

Im trying to show i don't need a man! (except for virtual advice of course!)
And i don't know any that can help.

OP posts:
UrsulatheSeaWitch · 14/09/2006 17:28

Have you got a hacksaw? If there is any space behind the screwhead you could try sawing the heads off (would have to make new holes for new bolt then though but would they match up anyway?)

Original poster
tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 17:35

Screws are tight into it.But have no hack saw anyway.
I think i need to make a tools to buy list!

OP posts:
TambaTheDragonSlayer · 14/09/2006 17:43

Stamp your feet and swear at it

Original poster
tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 17:45

That i can and have done!!
As well as bashing it with a brick!

OP posts:
TambaTheDragonSlayer · 14/09/2006 17:47

AH, the brick was my next suggestion

Original poster
tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 17:48

lol!

OP posts:
aDAdOnMumsnet · 14/09/2006 17:53

I'm not really a proper man in that I'm pretty useless at DIY type stuff, but buy a proper screwdriver with a super-long neck. I was going to say "it changed my life" but that would be overstating it and sound rather sad! They work much better than electric and other smaller ones though.

Never thought i'd post about screwdrivers.

Original poster
tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 17:55

I will look into that but in the mean time I have a gate with no lock on and need to sort it!!(if i hadn't bent it with the brick i could probably put the other bit back on!)
I have put oil on and will try again in a minute!

OP posts:
aDAdOnMumsnet · 14/09/2006 17:58

yeah sorry it wasn't a fix it now kind of solution!

I go back to what i said, I'm shit at this kind of thing.

Blu · 14/09/2006 17:58

Can't you just leave it there and put the new bolt in a slightly different place? Are you replacing both halves of the bolt?

Original poster
tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 18:02

Yes replacing both halves.The other old one is one normal gate catch thingys!
Good idea! Will have to be the outside of the gate though as no where on the inside to put it apart from where old one is!
Oil didn't help!
thanks for all advice so far!

OP posts:
cece · 14/09/2006 18:08

screw it in a bit first then start to unscrew. So thighten it first ! My dad swears by this method

Original poster
tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 18:14

Will try that cece.

Can't put it the other side.No piece of wood long enough.Its all down slats on the outside and a z shape inside where the hindges are.(does that make sense!!)

OP posts:
cece · 14/09/2006 18:15

My dad reckons this is also the best way to open jar lids...

Posey · 14/09/2006 18:33

I'm with cece on this one. Tighten up a bit first, then unscrew.

anorak · 14/09/2006 18:39

It sounds like the screws might be rusted. If they are they should break easily if you try to prise the bolt off the gate.

southeastastra · 14/09/2006 18:50

try to get a bit of wood in the side of it and whack it with a hammer!

Original poster
tortoisesdonotwearshoes · 14/09/2006 19:04

I have tried tightening them.they won't move either way!
I have given up for tonight!
Will try again tomorrow.
Added hammer to the to buy list!!!

OP posts:
UrsulatheSeaWitch · 14/09/2006 19:06

Has it been wet where you are? If so the wood is probably a bit swollen - how about drying it out with a hairdryer so it shrinks a bit? (Probably an insane suggestion but I'm clutching at straws here! )

Swipe left for the next trending thread