Screw Extractor Set: Remove Broken Bolts
By Drill Hog® | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use a screw extractor set to remove broken bolts and screws. Step-by-step diagnosis and corrective action for stuck fasteners.
Quick answer
A spiral screw extractor set is the most reliable tool for removing broken bolts. The Drill Hog® Super Premium Jumbo Spiral Screw Extractor Set covers sizes from tiny screws up to 1/2-inch pipe, giving you the right extractor for almost any stuck fastener.
Why a screw extractor set beats other methods
When a bolt snaps off flush or below the surface, pliers and wrenches are useless. Drilling into the broken piece and using a screw extractor — also called an easy out — lets you back it out cleanly. The spiral flutes on these extractors bite into the metal as you turn counterclockwise, creating enough grip to break the bolt free without damaging the surrounding threads.
Choosing the right extractor size
The key to success is matching the extractor to the broken bolt's inner diameter. Each extractor in a set has a recommended drill bit size and a range of screw or pipe diameters it can remove. For example, the #4 extractor in the Drill Hog® set handles screws from 9/32 to 3/8 inch and 1/8-inch pipe. Using an extractor that is too small risks snapping it inside the bolt, making removal much harder.
Diagnosis and corrective steps
- Symptom: Bolt or screw head snapped off, leaving a broken shank inside a threaded hole.
- Likely cause: Over-torquing, corrosion, or a seized fastener that sheared the head off during removal.
- Corrective action: 1) Drill a pilot hole in the center of the broken bolt using the recommended drill bit for your extractor size. 2) Tap the extractor into the hole. 3) Turn the extractor counterclockwise with a tap wrench or drill in reverse. 4) The spiral flutes will grip the bolt and back it out. If the extractor spins without moving the bolt, stop. The bolt may be seized beyond this method.
- Stop or choose another option: If the extractor breaks or the bolt does not budge after reasonable force, consider drilling out the entire bolt and re-tapping the hole, or using a left-hand drill bit to remove the remains.
Product facts
- Drill Hog® Super Premium Jumbo Spiral Screw Extractor Set: Includes six sizes (#1 through #6) that remove screws from 3/32" to 5/8" and 1/8" to 1/4" pipe. One set covers most common broken bolt situations in home and automotive repairs, so you do not have to buy individual extractors.
Drill Hog® Super Premium Jumbo Spiral Screw Extractor Set
