removing single-use screws?

[Yrrol]

My father had the idea to mount the patio door handle/lock with single-use screws, the kind you can screw in but not loosen... before I decide to drill them out, do you have any other better suggestions?

 

[daije]

buy a small grispitt. yes they are called that. reverse-threaded conical extractor. drill a small hole in the screw head, turn in the grispitt and out comes the screw

 

[tallmilan]

The burglars use a polygrip

 

[Yrrol]

these are recessed so can't reach with polygrip. Hard to believe I'll be able to pig-pita such small screws but I can try.

 

[Jan-Å]

these are recessed so can't reach with a pipe wrench. I find it hard to believe I could simply grip such small screws, but I can give it a try.

One way is to thread or hammer something into the screw that can then be used to unscrew it; both methods assume you drill a hole in the screw first. Method 2 is some kind of pliers that get ahold of the screw head. Then you can cut/saw/file a notch in the head that then fits a flathead screwdriver. Usually, I think it ends up with drilling out the damn thing A pipe wrench wouldn’t work on our doors, too tight for that.

 

[Larsa]

Apparently, these screws are often hardened and a real pain to drill into (see another thread about this). The easiest way is apparently to tap it out with a punch and hammer (tap against the tab that usually exists).

 

[Mikael_L]

If accessible, it often works to use a sharp chisel, placing it at the edge of the screw either from the side (best if accessible) or from above. Then tap it with a hammer, gently at first to create a small indentation for the chisel to grip.
Of course, tap in the loosening direction, about 45 degrees or so can usually be applied once the mark where the chisel lies is established.

I believe there are reverse-thread drills, often the screw comes out before the hole is completed then.

If it's hardened, it's almost impossible to drill and use screw extractors or other screw extractors.
Grinding/filing grooves (possibly with a Dremel) or tapping with a chisel or welding something on - often become the options for a hardened screw.

 

[Yrrol]

took the chisel and aimed at the screw, but the handle's attachment cracked and I got frustrated and broke everything off instead - that worked too... heh

 

[Stefan Bengtsson]

There are special bits for situations like this. But they are not readily sold to the public, for obvious reasons. The locksmith has them.

 

[daije]

tiger saw. cut around the handle, then realize the door is ruined, buy a new one

 

[snuttjulle]

It may be possible to take another screw of the same kind and turn it in a screwdriver. Then press as hard as you can and screw carefully.

 

[magnu]

There are special bits for situations like this. But they aren't readily sold to the public, for obvious reasons. The locksmith has them.

But they must be available on the internet. Nowadays, everything can be obtained. These bits are hardly associated with any license.

Anyone know where?

 

[niblom]

Isn't it possible to saw a small notch with a dremel and then use a regular screwdriver?

 

[Stefan Bengtsson]

But they must be available on the internet. Nowadays everything is accessible. These bits are hardly associated with any license.

Anyone know where?

They are on the internet, and I don't know if they're tied to any license. They're probably not. The places I found via a quick Google search don't sell to DIY enthusiasts. I believe that for an individual who wants to handle a single-use screw, it's easiest to contact a locksmith.

I'm very hesitant to convey where such bits can be obtained. I would guess most people on this forum don't want single-use screws to be easy to remove. As a homeowner, I absolutely do not want that.