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gamecake59 · Sep 12, 2009, 09:19 AM

Hi, I have a major problem, when removing the screws from cover plate on tub overflow, broke one screw and stopped, How can the screw be removed??

speedball1 · Sep 12, 2009, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by gamecake59

Hi, I have a major problem, when removing the screws from cover plate on tub overflow, broke one screw and stoped, How can the screw be removed???

All is not lost. Click on: Screw or Bolt Extractor - How to Remove a Broken Screw
To learn how to use a screw extractor. Good luck, Tom

ballengerb1 · Sep 12, 2009, 09:36 AM

Most any broken screw can be removed if you have the correct tools. "As ssen on TV" gadget now sold at Walgreens and hardawre stores can drill and tap a screw. As Seen On TV GRABIT3PC 3-Piece Pro Grabit® Industrial Broken Bolt & Damaged Screw E GRABIT3PC 727708084308 The screw is likely brass which is soft so removal should not be too difficult. Most any hardware store also sells screw extractors.

cyberheater · Sep 12, 2009, 10:23 AM

Up above post "thingy" works.

If you have any screw sticking out you are lucky. Just use a small lock wrench and turn it until you can grasp it with your fingers.

gamecake59 · Sep 12, 2009, 09:59 PM

The screws are steel and the overflow pipe is brass. I'm working in a tight place to use any screw ext.:(

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Most any broken screw can be removed if you have the correct tools. "As ssen on TV" gadget now sold at Walgreens and hardawre stores can drill and tap a screw. As Seen On TV GRABIT3PC 3-Piece Pro Grabit® Industrial Broken Bolt & Damaged Screw E GRABIT3PC 727708084308 The screw is likely brass which is soft so removal should not be too difficult. Most any hardware store also sells screw extractors.

ballengerb1 · Sep 13, 2009, 03:18 PM

Grabit will work just fine and so will the extractors Tom posted

hkstroud · Sep 13, 2009, 03:45 PM

Do you have an access hole on the other side of the wall?

gamecake59 · Sep 13, 2009, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Do you have an access hole on the other side of the wall?

There is no access panel on the back wall, I would hate to install on just to get out two screws. I was thinking about drilling out the broken screw and retaping the hole. Thanks for your help.:)

hkstroud · Sep 14, 2009, 04:23 AM

Then may I suggest;

Before removing the other screw and cover, using a drill bit the same size as hole in the cover plate, drill the end of the broken screw slightly. The most difficult part of drilling out a broken screw is getting and keeping the bit centered. Use the hole in the cover plate as a guide and smooth the end of the screw. Then drill a pilot hole using the smallest bit you have. The smaller the bit you use, the closer to the center you will get the pilot hole. Remove the cover plate and using progressively larger bits, enlarge the hole.
If you have an Easy Out screw extractor small enough, you may be able to remove the broken screw. If not, stop drilling at the bit size that will fit into the other screw hole. Then attempt to remove the remaining portions of the screw with a tap.

If you are successful, you will be able to keep the same size screw. If not, you will have to go up one screw size.