If the head of your stainless-steel deck screw strips out before you get it all the way driven, you could back it out with a pair of Vise-Grips, but there’s a better way.
Austin Ledoux of East Greenwich, R.I., came up with a quick solution using a drill to back out the screw easily.
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Thanks for the video tip. I thought screw heads "cam-out," while the screw threads are subjected to being stripped. I guess the terms might depend on what part of the US you are from.
Rimshot, thanks for explaining that distinction. It's not one that I had heard before, and my little bit of research suggests that you are absolutely right. As a former editor at Fine Homebuilding, I very much appreciate knowing which is which. I used to tear my hair out over distinctions such as lag bolt vs. lag screw or muntin vs. mullion.
If your screw is stripped, first try a different screwdriver. Then twist slowly and apply pressure. Next, hammer the screwdriver to get a tighter fit and try twisting. A rubber band will help get a better grip. And when all else fails, drill the head off.
machine screws