Replies

1. 
   DanH | Jan 15, 2012 05:06pm | #1

   If the drywall is gone, a pair of ViceGrips is the way to go.  Otherwise, a good impact driver (preferably the manual type) will get any screw that isn't totally stripped.  And there are some special bits that are designed to remove stripped Phillips screws.

   (If the screw head is just filled with mud use a long #2 tip and give it a few taps with a hammer to break the mud out.)

   Manual impact driver: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-impact-driver/p-00947641000P

   Special screw removal bits: http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/search_10155_12602?keyword=screw+out&i_cntr=1326665135057

2. 
   calvin | Jan 15, 2012 06:04pm | #2

   clayton

   Unless it's very unusual, take the gun with a good bit and jamb it in the screw-hold good pressure against it and feather the trigger.

   That is, if you want to remove a bigger sheet, rather than a bunch of pcs. 

   Otherwise, you can beat the snot out of the board, ripping and tearing-deal with the screws by yanking, busting off or unscrewing.  Each according to what you are trying to acheive.

3. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Jan 16, 2012 01:27pm | #3

   The great thing about a drywall screw is that it's 1.  Hardened Steel 2.  It's got a very thin diameter.

   Use this to your advantage, just whack it from the side with a hammer.  It should cleanly snap off.

4. 
   brettly | Jan 16, 2012 03:39pm | #4

   You may need to clean compound from the screw with utility knife before backing the screw out

5. 
   MarkH | Jan 16, 2012 05:38pm | #5

   I like to use a hammer drill to back out drywall screws.  Use low range, the hammer action pounds the bit in tight.  Sometimes a whack on a phillips screwdriver in the screwhead will help get the drill to get started.  But breaking them off a stripped wall is faster, and a lot will yank out with a crowbar too.