Im trying to take apart a metal desk, but Im stuck on one part. Theres one spot where the screw is visible, but the nut isn't accessible, so when I turn it, it just turns both. Ive tried moving other parts, but no matter what I can't get to it. Is there anything I can do to get it out? Im ok with going hard on it, but I'd rather not ruin the desk, so powertools are mostly out of the question.
Hold a nut while unscrewing
boltsscrewdriverscrews
Related Solutions
The best way to get it out is muscle. Not much else. Use a vice grip type plier to get it out. If it breaks off go to the other side. Some people say tighten it up into a drill and use the drill to get it out. When you get it out then re-tap the screw hole. In the U.S. electrical boxes are 6/32 and most DIY's and electrical wholesalers sell taps for this reason. Good Luck.
It looks like a lockring is used to hold the screw in place. You'll have to hold the screw still and rotate the lockring, or vise versa.
Using a flat-head screw driver and mallet, is a common way to rotate lockrings. Though, you'll have to find a way to hold the screw steady, while you bang the lockring free.
- Place a flat-head screw driver blade against one of the sprockets of the lockring.
- Sharply rap the handle of the screwdriver with a mallet.
It's possible that the lockring is made of some type of softer metal, so grabbing it with pliers could easily damage it. Using a screwdriver and mallet applies force only in a useful direction, whereas pliers apply non-useful forces required for gripping. These non-useful forces may damage the lockring.
Related Topic
- How to avoid stripping screw heads
- Metal screw stuck in middle of deep plastic (resin) hole
- Turning a hard to access nut
- Wood – How to get a cam lock out of a really deep hole
- How to remove this stuck screw in the bathroom
- How to unlock a jammed cam lock
- Removing rusted screw and wingnuts from toilet tank
- How to get a bolt with no head out of the wall
Best Answer
Without any sort of picture, one technique that has worked for me is to pull on the screw to pull it out and then rotate gently - friction between the nut and its surface then allows the screw to come undone.
Tricky part is getting the “best” amount of pull compared to rotate. If it was cross-threaded then you are out of luck, see the next bit...
If all else fails, you will probably end up drilling the head off the screw - good luck.