How to remove a snapped screw from a wall plug

In this video I show a few different ways of removing a snapped or sheared screw from a wall plug. It does not matter if the wall is tiled, a couple of these techniques will still work. Snapped screws in wall plugs are fairly common and some of them can be difficult to remove, especially if hey have been driven in using an impact driver.
These videos might also be useful-

[HrleyBoy]

Good stuff, I have also had success using a claw hammer if there is enough protruding with a bit of wood or ply to protect the wall if inside the house etc.

[stuartlockwood]

Hi, the diamond hole saw seems the quickest way to go from your demo, and if your using the same hole again I guess it leaves a decent hole for a larger plug, ? . Good to see you again, I hope all is well whith you and your's, Atb, Stuart UK.

[rogerscottcathey]

Wouldn't the jaw ridges be better oriented at 90 degrees from what is shown?

[TheKongWizard]

For the first bolt, the grips should be used as close to 90 degrees to the bolts shank as possible, not straight on. If gripped straight on, there is no key into the bolt plus a very limited lever arm. Still might not work, but a lot better chance due to better grip and greater torsion.

[MiniLuv-]

Thanks for the tips -again.
Those vice grips were running off as you tried to twist the screw out. I was thinking it might be better to put them flush with the wall and grip the screw that way?

[bruce_travel_pro]

Brilliant! Diamond Drill tube worked perfectly!! I had a set of DD bits in my cupboard.... I had been racking my brain how to remove the wall plug with 2mm of screw end sticking out. Had tried vice grips beofre seeing this video but the end was too short. It was for a shower shelf (old screws rusted & broke off). The holes were in a huge tile that even went under the shower screen. So I could not do anything that would have damaged the tile. Old screws & wall plugs removed and now shelf back in place with stainless screws this time!

[speaklifegardenhomesteadpe]

Is there anything you can attach only to the screw which might be electronic that will heat the screw up and melt the plastic to just pull the screw out? Think like the water heating element things that plug into the wall... But the thing that could be heating up is the screw itself.
Nice video! 😎✌️💯

[davidtydeman]

I have 2 pairs of locking pliers. The expensive Vice Grip brand have cross hatching on the ends where you were trying to grip the broken screw. The cheap ones don’t have the same grip pattern. There is a huge difference in how well the better ones grip

[Patrick_Gray]

Thanks for the video. Try real "Vice-Grip" pliers, other do not work as well. As a 73 year old auto mechanic and electrician I can tell your from first hand experience. Even have had the experience of giving the real thing to people trying to work with lower quality grip pliers and they see the real thing work. Real Vice-Grip pliers have serrated jaws that work. When I pick up Vice-Grip pliers, I find myself looking at how good the serrations are.

[chrissscottt]

In my experience screws, bolts or nails in concrete can hold on like buggery. Best to cut it off and drill an adjacent hole if possible.

[ajazh]

You helped ne out again, you're a legend....

Ultinate YT channel!

[Arya]

Very thorough and helpful video. Thank you

[Renoalex]

Real handyman advice
"Just hammer it into the wall " they'll never know

[KuldipSingh-wvce]

Flippin brilliant video! Thanks so much!

[davidchurch]

I have just watched a couple of these, and I think I have some extractors somewhere, so will see if I have one small enough for the job I have. I have been unable to get enough grip with pliers and vice-grip wrench. I was a little surprised I did not see any mention of the other method I have used in the past, which is the use a junior hacksaw with metal-cutting blade to cut a slot in the top of the protruding screw. I suppose a dremel and grinding disc may achieve same? Of course this only works if there is some shank protruding far enough to get the saw onto it.

[musoseven]

Thank you, good tips. Luckily in all my years as a DIYer I'd never encountered this problem until today🙄😲😄✌️💜👍

[ianmcbain]

Another option with the first screw shown which had a decent amount sticking out would be to get the drill chuck onto the screw and put drill in reverse. You do need to really tighten the chuck up but 9 out of ten the screw will back out easily. I've done that before. For all others then diamond cutter the only way to go.

[ManofMode]

The diamond tube drill bit is an excellent idea but I have to say that I would never ever let you get your hands on a pair of my pliers.

[martinwright]

Neji Saurus pliers are designed for this job and are useful if enough of the screw is sticking out.

[Henchman_Holding_Wrench]

I've seen coworkers do it 2 other ways as well. One is to cut a slot into the screw and treat it like a set screw. The other was to grind a flat spot on the threads if there's enough of it sticking out and hope it gives enough surface for pliers to grip on.

That diamond bit for screws sunken in past the wall is another I shall add to my bag of tricks.