Kryptonite screw

Rechuchote

We have a plate rack fixed to the kitchen wall, and want to move it about a handsbreadth, to allow us to move the fridge in to the wall and be able to open it (the fridge).

One screw came out fine. The other appears to be made of Kryptonite. Its thread is stripped out, but it's impossible to drill into it. Local handyman tried for a few days and gave up. Any tips?

Lumen

Can you get in behind with a hacksaw blade or multitool?

Rechuchote

No, too close in to the wall.

ARGINITE

The screw must be turning when attempting to drill into it, can you get a needle nose pliers behind it to hold the screw and then attempt to drill it out again.

10-10-20

I've had to hit some older screws into the wall using a hammer/lump-hammer. That usually frees them up and allows them to turn.

Is this screw a true screw in the sense of being tapered (such as a wood screw) or a bolt? What is it screwing into?

Can you get a vice-grips onto the head?

Photos would be handy here.

Rechuchote

Can't get anything into the head. Photo:

Rechuchote

Another photo

Rechuchote

It's tempting to hit it a welt to knock it in and loosen it all right, but it's so stripped… I don't know what it's screwed into, but probably one of those plastic rawlplugs. Unfortunately, the man who made it and put it on the wall 30 years ago has disappeared from the neighbourhood and no one knows where he went.

Buffman

I'd just get a large drill bit and drill it out, you've a nice centre hole already there.

Basically drill the screw until the head is gone but don't go through the wood. You can clean it up if necessary when the shelf is out of the way.

Rechuchote

I'll give it a try, thanks. Guy who was doing it said the drill bit wouldn't hold, kept sliding around.

Lumen

If all else fails a grinder will do it, then you'll likely need to replace the washer.

edit: that's a stupid idea, cos it's in a corner.

Buffman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118025118#Comment_118025118

He must have been using a small drill bit or something. It looks like he's already about 50% through it. Hard to judge the size from the photo but a decent size HSS drill bit would finish that off easily.

There are also special drill bits for removing rung screws but that's almost drilled out already.

the_pen_turner

Prise the whole unit off the wall with a nail bar. Plug will slip out before you do any damage. Hopefully😀

Or cut the head off with a grinder or dremel

Or a hole saw over the screw without the drill bit