How To Remove One Way Screws

How To Remove One Way Screws

 

One way screws, a type of security screw, are the screws most often used in safes, security gates, bolt locks, and hangings in public areas. While they're easy to install, they're much more difficult to remove.

One way screws have smooth slots that make it near impossible to grip screwdrivers onto. As their name implies, one-way screws are designed to be screwed into a surface and never removed. The left-hand sides of the screw heads are curved, so they cannot be extracted with a regular screwdriver. But with determination and a few tools, you can do it. Read the tips listed below and learn about how to remove one way screws.

 

How To Remove One Way Screws: One Way Screw Extraction Tool

How To Remove One Way Screws - Use a One Way Screw Removal Tool
Security Screw Extraction Tool
 

It used to be that finding an extraction tool was the hardest part of removing a one way screw. At one point in time, the tool was very difficult to find (for good reason!) But now can be purchased online or from most hardware stores.

Common extractor tool sizes include sizes for #6-8 size screws, for #10-12 size screws, and for #14-16 size screws. You will want to find the size of the screw and buy the removal tool that match to that size. Once you have one, security screws can come off easily.

Simply place the two steel pins at the head of the tool into the slots on the head of screw and turn the extraction tool like you would a regular screwdriver. The one way screw should come right out.

 

How To Remove One Way Screws: Cutting A New Slot   

How To Remove One Way Screws - Cut a Slot
Cutting a new slot into the head of a screw to remove it.

As with our posts on How To Remove Stripped Screws, and How To Remove Rusted Screws, another way to remove one way screws is cutting a slot in the screw in which to place a standard flat blade screwdriver. Simply saw away and slot the one way screw using a high speed rotary tool with a cutoff wheel. This essentially turns your security screw into a flathead screw. Then you can remove the screw with a wide-blade Flathead screwdriver.

 

How To Remove One Way Screws: Pliers

How To Remove One Way Screws - Vice Grips and Screw Removal Pliers
Screw Removal Vice Grips

An easy way to remove a one way screw is to create a strong grip on the head of the screw. This can be done by using locking pliers around the screw. Once you have a firm grip, simply turn the pliers to remove the screw. If you're having difficulty getting a grip with the pliers, you may want to file two opposite sides of the screw's head and then place the pliers in those flatten edges.

How To Remove One Way Screws
A One Way Screw with the sides shave down for an easier grip.
 

Now you've managed to remove the one way screw, we have a range of great security screws here: Screws

 

Thanks for reading our latest blog entry 

Best Regards,

The Scrooz Fasteners Team 

www.scrooz.com.au


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