Video Vault: Back Out a Stripped Screw
Valve-grinding compound can save the day after you obliterate a screw-head.
To back out a screw with a stripped head easily, borrow a trick from the auto mechanics. In this gem from the Fine Homebuilding Video Vault, editor Justin Fink demonstrates a tip submitted by Andrew Flowers of Garden Homes, Illinois. Simply apply a dab of valve-grinding compound (available at auto-parts stores) to the tip of your screwdriver. There’s just enough tack and grit to the compound to ease the screw out of its hole.
