Screw is stuck in the ceiling.

[Jasmine Johansson1]

We have a screw that is screwed into a hole in the ceiling.
The screw and the hole have different patterns and are now stuck.
It just keeps spinning around.

Do you have any tips on how to get it out?

 

[Janus82]

Do I understand correctly that you can turn the screw but it just spins? If that's the case, take a crowbar and gently pull on the screw while turning it. This way, you can get the screw out far enough for the threads to catch again and for the screw to come out.

 

[Jasmine Johansson1]

Do I understand correctly that you can turn the screw but it just spins?
In that case, take a crowbar and gently pull on the screw while turning it. Then you can get the screw out far enough for the threads to catch again and the screw will come out.

Yes, exactly it just spins! I'll give it a try! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Pucco]

It is likely an M6 screw and the threaded hole in old ceiling junction boxes is 1/4" (6.35mm) with a different thread pitch. You can usually screw in about 3 turns before it binds.
If you don't need to keep the cover, you can cut it apart so you can hold the threaded pipe with pliers when unscrewing the screw.

 

[Jasmine Johansson1]

It is likely an M6 screw and the threaded hole in old lamp sockets is 1/4" (6.35mm) with a different thread pitch. It can usually be screwed in about 3 turns before it sticks. If you don't need to keep the cover plate, you can cut it open so you can hold the threaded pipe with pliers when unscrewing the screw.

thanks! ☺️

 

[DE73]

Be careful that the cables are not live.