Nails that loose their thread!

[Danlou]

I have been attempting to put some blinds up in my bathroom, I tried putting up the brackets with screws supplied. Anyhoo, the screws were determined not to go right in the wood and now they have lost their thread...I can neither get them in or all the way out...what can I do, any suggestions?!

 

[big-all]

heeelllooo danlou and welcome
not quite shure what you mean screws dont normaly loose thier threads
is it possible you have hit a lintel[above a window ]and you are having trouble extracting the loose screw

 

[IanDB]

Or is the screw head chewed up so that the screwdriver won't locate any more? If this is the case then judicious use of a pair of pliers will get the screw out - and I mean using the pliers to twist the screw out NOT pull it otherwise you'll have a lot more to sort out.

Once you get them out go and buy some decent screws and try again.

 

[david and julie]

They are probably rubbish screws.

I would drill a pilot hole first though to feel if it is the lintel, if it is, you can use long self tappers, with the right (or slightly oversize) drill bit.

 

[AdamW]

It could be that when he unscrews it just turns and doesn't come out? It can happen.

In this case a claw hammer used to exert a slight pull as you are unscrewing the screw can help.

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

TIP 1
Never use the screws supplied with anything!!!

They are of such dubious quality (made with lead I think ), together with cheap ill fitting screwdrivers that DIY'ers tend to buy - No wonder they have problems...

 

[pipme]

Drill correct diameter hole to correct depth, if not in wood then insert correct size wallplug, lubricate screw thread :- with tallow or scrape thread along a candle or Vaseline it ... screw normally tougher than wallplug, carefully driver screw in, don't try to 'turn the head off'.
Holes and screws have diameters, depths, lengths and the latter various 'slots' ... Get the relationships right and it is easy work !! 'Tis engineered that way you know !!

P