Question Stupid square tip screw removal

[Rich W.]

That being the case just buy a new bit so it fits tight and hit them with your impact driver and they will come out. Or break off, but either way you’ll get the thing off the coach.

 

[Capt. Derek]

LOL! Thanks ya’ll. I’ve already replaced many of them in several places and try to get rid of them any time I can. I have a set of the square bits and I’m not unfamiliar with them, I just can‘t seem to get these four out for some reason.

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Wait until your Phillips strip out, you will wish you had square then, they strip out half as much

 

["EZ"]

What you need is an impact driver. Use the square or Phillips bit and smack it with a hammer to get it started. Then it'll just back right out.
Craftsman Hand Impact Driver

From the ad:

• DURABILITY: Creates up to 200 foot pounds of torque when struck with a hammer

 

[Mrgunguy]

Thanks again, guys. I just got a new set of Bosch tips that look a LOT better than my old, cheap ones. I have an impact driver that I’ll keep handy should the job require it, but it’ll be more of a last resort thing. It’s a freaking big driver for such a small screw.

 

[TheLooks]

Yes it is, but most have a variable trigger and using it with care will remove them easily. Hard pressure in and just feather the trigger.

 

[Mrgunguy]

Yes it is, but most have a variable trigger and using it with care will remove them easily. Hard pressure in and just feather the trigger.

It’s pneumatic and feathering the trigger isn’t it’s strong suit. It’s much more suited to removing tires than it is to removIng small screws.

 

[TheLooks]

You need more tools then.....nothing like an impact driver with a battery.

 

[Rich W.]

An air impact is way overkill for these screws. But as I said earlier, whether they back out or break off, you still get the thing off the coach. I use M12 tools at most for the small stuff (first pic) but really either item in the second pic should suffice.

 

[Rosy]

You can't just use a drill on the screws?

 

[Rich W.]

You can't just use a drill on the screws?

A drill is better for installing screws like this because you can have a lighter touch. An impact is likely to strip out the hole or break the screws. But for removing them the impact is probably better. I use both all the time. I’m a little surprised we are still talking about taking out some common sheet metal screws.

 

[Mrgunguy]

A drill is better for installing screws like this because you can have a lighter touch. An impact is likely to strip out the hole or break the screws. But for removing them the impact is probably better. I use both all the time. I’m a little surprised we are still talking about taking out some common sheet metal screws.

Agreed. I got them out this morning without the need for impact. The new, quality square bits were enough.

That said, I’m going to get a battery powered impact driver this afternoon. I don’t like there being a tool that I might need some day and not having said tool.

 

[Rich W.]

Thinking back on this I had the same reaction when I first encountered square drive screws years ago. Been so long I almost forgot but like you I had to adapt to this fastener system and I find them superior to Phillips. Torx are probably better but square drive are probably cheaper for RV manufacturing.

 

[Roadglide117]

So, how is everyone else removing those ridiculous square head screws? I’ve been trying to replace/fix the city water intake on my ‘03 Thor 5000 but have run into a bit of a snag. There are eight of these annoying screws holding it in place (along with a half gallon of sealer) and I’ve been able to remove half of them quite easily. The remaining four are beyond stubborn and the square tip screw isn’t helping anything.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks to these screws? I plan to replace the screws with new, Philips head screws, but for now I need to deal with the old ones.

Phillips are a bigger pain!! If you don't like Robertson screw and change..I'd go with torx screws