Broken Screws...

[cowfoot]

Happy New Year everyone, hope 2017's going well so far.

Here's a problem - I made a chest last year and fitted brass hinges with brass screws.
Several of them snapped off below the head and are embedded.
I've since sussed put that it's better to fix the same size zinc screw first then swap them over (with a bit of wax to ease them in)...but is there any way to drill out or otherwise remove the broken ones still lurking?

 

[Brentingby]

Find a piece of steel tube that will just fit over the screw's threads. File saw teeth into the end. Put it in the drill and carefully drill around the screw. You'll have to prise out the screw and fill the hole with a plug before redrilling the hole.

Edited to add: I found an image of what I described. I expect you can buy them ready-made but I've never looked.

 

[AndyT]

There's a good discussion on how to make your own version of one of those extractors here

what-metal-is-a-telescopic-aerial-made-of-t96804.html

You don't need hard steel for a one-off - I made one from very soft brass which worked.

Alternatively, for a bigger screw, an old fashioned shell bit will drill a hollow hole round the screw like this

 

[Bod]

If there is anything above the surface, these might help.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/function-neji- ... B002L6HJAA
Very simple,clever idea.
Put the gripping ridges parallel to the sides, not the end, as in normal pliers.
I have a pair, and useful in this situation.

Bod