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Best Screw Extractor – Find an Easy Out for Your Broken Bolt
Screws and bolts are a great way to attach things and hold them together. When used properly, these options give the builder an extremely strong connection that at the same time can be readily undone when required.
This type of capability a huge plus when working on cars, in that you know you can remove parts without having to cut metal. At times, however, you get a stripped screw. Once that happens you better have the best screw extractor out there or it may never come out.
It can happen in any number of ways, too much power on the screwdriver, mismatching the head to the screw or maybe just trying to drive a screw in at an angle. The metal that forms the head of the screw gets shaved away and before you know it there is only a dent in the screw head.
To combat this some companies have started putting out kits to help you get those screws and bolts out. This begs the question, though, which is the best screw extractor set?
Over the course of this article, we will look at addressing that question. We’ll take a look at the features these sets should have with them and review some of the top contenders in the field.
Screw removal is essential to making repairs and modifications to your car, so having a screw remover on hand is quite obviously helpful. On top of stripped screws, they can help with removing small screws, rusted screws, and more.
No matter the type of screw, there is likely a tool that can help. So hopefully this buying guide will identify the proper extraction tool for your needs!
Best Screw Extractor – Comparative Table of Major Features
Before we dive in into reviews, let’s take a quick look at what our best picks are:
And now, without any further ado, let’s move to the reviews section so you can learn pros and cons of each of the shortlisted products.
Our Top Picks – Screw Extractor Set Reviews
We have gone through a number of the choices that are currently available on the market. We have hand selected these five as the top contenders. We feel that any of these would make a great addition to your garage gear, but two of them stood out.
One was clearly a great value for the money (Product Stop Screw Extractor Set) that you’d pay for it. And of course, in just about round up there is one product that is clearly the best (IRWIN HANSON Hex Head Multi-Spline Screw Extractor Set). We’d highlighted both choices to help you pick the one that you’d like to go with.
Two of the big choices that you will need to make are if you would prefer to have double sided bits or separate bits. Also, you will want to consider what sizes you will need. If you only have a few sizes you might be able to get by with a smaller set, otherwise, you may need to look at a larger set.
Keep in mind that these are our top choices, but ultimately the best choice for you depends on what you need. Although they are all great, if they don’t fit what you need it for then it won’t be great for you.
So before you decide which screw extraction product to go with, make sure that it is it fits the type of removal you are looking for.
Best Value
OCGIG 11 PCS Damaged Broken Screw Extractor Drill Bit Bolt Stud Remover Tool Kit Set
If you are on a budget, or just want to pick up a set for yourself to test out to see how these work for yourself the Damaged Screw Remover and Extractor Set by OCGIG is a great place to start. This is a four piece set that comes with its own plastic protective case to make sure that all of your extractors are safe and kept together for easy access when it comes time to get a screw out.
Each piece is a double sided bit, with a burnisher on the one end and a reverse bit on the other. All of the pieces are made from hardened S2 alloy steel material.
This set is backed by a three tier warranty, that makes sure you are happy with the product. According to the company if you don’t like the product you can send it back for a refund, if one of them breaks the company will send a replacement and if you lose one the company will send you a replacement.
These work in a number of different metals, to include brass if you are willing to take your time and work slowly. With the quality of the product you get in this set, combined with their amazing warranty at this price point, there is no wonder that this made our pick for the Best Value for the money.
So if you are looking for a great extractor kit but are not looking to break the bank, then sometimes the simplest option is your best bet. And this handy little kit contains the tools you need for removing screws of many kinds.
Best Product
IRWIN HANSON Hex Head Multi-Spline Best Bolt Extractor Set, 25 Piece
If you are looking for the best option, look no further than the IRWIN HANSON Hex Head Multi-Spline Screw Extractor. This set features 25 pieces, each a different size, and left-handed spiral design to remove bolts and screws with stripped out heads.
The sizes range from a mere 1/8 inch to a whopping 7/8 inch all tucked into the case to ensure that all the pieces will have a secure home. Each of the bits not only has its size etched on it but also a recommended bit size to go with it to clean up the hole to get a bite.
There is also an option that you can purchase that adds a 5 piece bolt extractor that will help you deal with bolts that the edges of are a little too worn down. This set up is probably the best bolt extractor tool that you will find.
This set has many different pieces, and will help you have piece of mind that you are very unlikely to run into a screw that you can’t remove.
To show that IRWIN Tools stands behind their tools, they offer a lifetime warranty. With the range of sizes that this set can cover and the aggressive bit that can get just about any stuck screw out, this is hands down the best screw extractor set that we have come across and so we have given it our title of the Best Product.
A bit more expensive than some of the other options, but sometimes price is worth it to make sure that you don’t need to buy other sets down the line.
8 piece Screw Extractor Set, Damaged Screw Broken Bolt Water Pipe Remover Set By Nizzco
When you compare this and the offering from OCGIG you will notice that they are nearly the same thing. This one is crafted from high strength carbon steel. This small bump up in hardness may not make all that much difference between the two sets.
Each piece here is also a double sided offering, covering standard sizes one through four. This gives you a good range of screws to work with.
Unfortunately, in some tests, the ends broke off during use, but they tend to work best if you take it slowly.
This is another budget option, so don’t expect to be receiving the best quality parts out there. However, if you are in a pinch, and are looking for a budget screw extractor kit, this might be what you are looking for. You can certainly invest for higher quality than this, but car tools can get very expensive, so sometimes you just want the simple option.
Not found.
IRWIN HANSON Spiral Extractor and Drill Bit Set, 10 Piece
IRWIN Tools offers quite a nice set with their IRWIN HANSON Spiral Extractor and Drill Bit Set. While the title lists this as a 10 piece set you should be aware that it covers 5 different sizes. Instead of double sided bits, this set comes with each separate.
For each pair, a drill bit is used as the burnisher and the reverse bit is fairly standard. However, as separate pieces the shaft is longer on each, giving you more reach with each tool.
This set comes with a metal index case which gives you the ability to store these securely and be able to easy see which piece is which size. Of course, if you have a wider range of screws that you have to work with, they have the option of a 35 piece set to give you quite a range of sizes.
As a not these drill bits are “left-handed” or the reverse of a normal bit. It has been noted that in a number of cases the screws were able to come out just using the bit as the burnisher before using the reverse bit. We have found that this set stands up rather well to use and should be able to give you years of service.
This is another high quality bit set, and a great option if you are looking to spend a little more to have a tool you can use in a wider variety of situations. It is a great idea to be prepared, and it is a better idea to make an investment once that will cover most or all of your needs going forward.
Speed Out As Seen on Tv Damaged Screw Remover Extractor Tool, 4 Piece
You might have seen it on TV and wondered does the Speed Out Damaged Screw Remover and Extractor Tool work? The answer that we have found is yes it does.
This set comes in a molded plastic case and features four double-sided bits. One end works as the burnisher and the other as the reverse bit. They are all constructed out of durable hardened steel for a long life and dependability. Also, these are set up to be self-centering, so you won’t need to worry about your bit walking out of place when you are starting to get work done on the screw.
The company has also made a number of other claims that make these sound quite the set. They claim that with a power drill you can remove any stripped screw in 10 seconds or less.
While this sounds a little bit more of a marketing claim than real life they still perform well. They also say that even if the head of the screw breaks off this set can still remove the broken screw. This can be a really good thing to have in your back pocket.
A great, basic bit set that might be a great solution for your needs, and comes in at a very affordable price as well.
Broken Bolt Extractor Set Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the right screw extractor may sound like an easy task, but with all different kinds of products available on the market, it’s more challenging to make a good decision than one could think.
Therefore, to make your life a bit easier (we hope), we prepared this all-inclusive buyer’s guide for choosing the best screw extractor for your needs. With this guide, we can help you to match your needs to one of the options above.
Remember, the best way to deal with a stripped-out screw or bolt is to avoid it in the first place. Also, try to use the correct screwdriver head to match the screw you are working on. If the driver starts to slip out of the head, slow down a little bit. And whenever possible, try to drill an appropriate sized pilot hole.
What a Bolt / Screw Extractor Tool Is?
A bolt or screw extractor is a set of tools that are designed to help get a screw or bolt out even when their head is too badly damaged to use the normal means of driving them. The set will consist of a drill-like a device (burnisher) to make a new starter hole in the stripped screw or bolt.
The other component is a reverse bit that goes in that hole to get a grip on the screw and start bringing it out. These two bits are often found on a double sided bit that is designed to work with a power screwdriver. A set will frequently come with various sized to deal with different sized screws.
Often, these bits will come in a handy plastic box. There will also be various bits for dealing with screws of different sizes and diameter.
How To Use a Screw Extractor?
When you come across the offending bolt or screw you’ll want to look at it and get a feel for what the surrounding area holds. This is mostly for your own safety, just in case things come loose you’ll know what is nearby.
You’ll want to take the burnisher first, this will look more like a drill bit, and clean up the stripped head as best you can. This will provide a gripping point for the reverse bit that comes next. The reverse bit will fit into the divot that you just made and if things go smoothly will grip the metal of the screw as you reverse your screwdriver. This action will start to work the screw or bolt out so you can replace it with a new one.
Essentially, you are making a new hole in the screw and gripping it with the tool. A simple process, so this tool can be very handy when you are in a jam.
What To Look For When Considering Purchasing?
When you are making a purchase, you’ll want to consider a number of things. First, do you want the bits to be double sided with a burnisher on one end and a reverse bit on the other? This means that the two are matched to work together, but on the other side, it also means that if one end breaks you’ll have to replace the whole thing instead of just one piece.
Also, you will need to look at the size screws and bolts that you normally work with. If they are all nearly the same size you can get by with a single sized set. Some of the best easy out screw extractors will give you a range of sizes to work with screws of differing sizes.
Remember though, check the sizes in a set you are interested in against the sizes you actually need. And don’t forget that as you get down to the smaller end of the spectrum there is a lot less metal on the screw to work with, so you might be less successful getting out bad bolts or small screws.
It is important to evaluate these needs beforehand so you don’t end up buying the wrong tool or spending more than you need to. There are a variety of options on the market, as outlined above, and it is very helpful if you know your needs and make the appropriate purchase.
How Do You Power These Tools?
These sets normally only come with the tips and you will have to find some other handle in order to turn them. While these may fit into an interchangeable screwdriver handle, you probably won’t get enough torque to get them working well with that.
Some people choose to use them with a t handle, giving them the ability to control the turns by hand and not suddenly go full power with a power driver. For the most part, though, these are extractor drills bits that can be paired with that powered screwdriver. After all, step one is essentially drill through metal.
We have found that the hands down best way to deal with a stripped screw are to avoid them. You should always use a screw that is correctly sized for the job you are doing and if it is a little bit tight try rubbing it with something like beeswax to reduce the friction. If you must remove a screw with an extractor, work slowly and methodically.
First, you don’t want to cause damage to the surrounding area while getting the screw out. Secondly, speed makes stress. While removing a screw with a stripped head is annoying, it isn’t as bad as trying to get out a screw that broke coming out of the hole.
Easy Out Screw Extractor – Conclusion
Now you should have all the information that you need in order to make your selection for the best screw extractor set. Most of these sets will work with a power drill, but you’ll want to remember to take it slow. Going too fast could cause the bit to wander and end up damaging some of the other things around the screw that you are trying to remove.
Also, if you try to go very fast you may end up causing more stress on the screw. Some of the screws that are older can end up breaking while you are trying to extract them. If there is one thing that is worse than trying to get out a stripped screw, it is trying to remove a screw with the head broken off.
So be sure you do everything in your power to avoid having this problem in the first place. Use bits of appropriate sizes for the screws you are working with. If the screw isn’t coming out smoothly, you likely need a different bit. So take the time to find the proper tools, and you can likely avoid this headache altogether.
If you are in the market for one of these sets you won’t be able to do better than our pick for the best product, the IRWIN HANSON Hex Head Multi-Spline Screw Extractor Set. This will give you a wide range of options so you can tackle any number of sizes of stripped out screws.
Check out all Screw/Bolt Extractors available at Amazon
But we’d also like to hear from you, which option did you go with and why? Tell us in the comments section below.
Here is how different types of IRWIN HANSON screw and bolt extractors works.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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