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<blockquote data-quote="mightymouse" data-source="post: 2731602" data-attributes="member: 15253">Good advice from SPDguns.&nbsp; The key to working with soft materials (brass, for example, but a good idea for soft steels as well) is to NEVER try to out-muscle the offending screw--if you do this, you will break it off.&nbsp; Instead, use vibration and good, steady, but low pressure.&nbsp; Take a screwdriver with a good blade and center it in the screw slot, then patiently tap the end of the screwdriver with a small hammer.&nbsp; Patience is the key, as you may have to tap for some time.&nbsp; The idea is to use vibration to loosen the screw (this is the princple behind the operation of all sorts of impact tools, including the hand impact set Dennis mentioned).&nbsp; Just tap, tap, tap, tap for several minutes, then start applying low but steady turning pressure to the screwdriver handle.&nbsp; If there is anything left of the screwdriver slot, this procedure will usually work.&nbsp; But again, don&#039;t try to out-muscle the screw--use plenty of vibration and low, slow but steady pressure.&nbsp; &nbsp; If the above doesn&#039;t work, the LEFT-Handed drill bit idea mentioned by SPDguns is an excellent alternative method that will work on a screw slot that is really badly rounded out. Good luck!</blockquote>

[QUOTE="mightymouse, post: 2731602, member: 15253"] Good advice from SPDguns. The key to working with soft materials (brass, for example, but a good idea for soft steels as well) is to NEVER try to out-muscle the offending screw--if you do this, you will break it off. Instead, use vibration and good, steady, but low pressure. Take a screwdriver with a good blade and center it in the screw slot, then patiently tap the end of the screwdriver with a small hammer. Patience is the key, as you may have to tap for some time. The idea is to use vibration to loosen the screw (this is the princple behind the operation of all sorts of impact tools, including the hand impact set Dennis mentioned). Just tap, tap, tap, tap for several minutes, then start applying low but steady turning pressure to the screwdriver handle. If there is anything left of the screwdriver slot, this procedure will usually work. But again, don't try to out-muscle the screw--use plenty of vibration and low, slow but steady pressure. If the above doesn't work, the LEFT-Handed drill bit idea mentioned by SPDguns is an excellent alternative method that will work on a screw slot that is really badly rounded out. Good luck! [/QUOTE]

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